Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My wife and I recently adopted two dogs. Angel is a two year old female. She is believed to be a Kur, but with some other breeds mixed in. She was abadoned so very little is known about her prior to her arrival at the shelter. Argyle is a one year old, labradoodle mix (possible some scottie in there as well). He was an owner surrender as the puppy turned out to be more work then the owners wanted.
When we saw each of them we fell in love and couldn't choose and now we have two dogs.
So, here is our problem, 90% of the time the get along fine. Both are crate trained and they have our "family" room right now as theirs. The issue is that if we leave them they start to fight (I don't mean leave the house - I mean run upstairs for two minute to go to the bathroom or check on dinner). It starts out as play fighting but over the three weeks we have had the dog has gotten more constant and more aggressive. Now they are snarling and growling at each other.
I try to reward them for good behavior when I am with them, but no matter was, as soon as I leave the room, the go at it again. It usually starts over a toy or a choice spot on the floor, but sometimes seems to come from nowhere.
I thought maybe they are not getting enough exercise so I have upped there walks (we now do between 2 and 3 miles in the morning and another 1-2 in the afternoon). That has not really helped much (although they do go back into their crates and lie down a bitter earlier now).
Any books, exercises, classes would be helpful.
Thanks!!!

its likely that this is a fight over a power position. and this is completely natural. you and your wife are the alpha dogs. and then your two dogs need to have some kind of order as well. when your with the dogs you're in charge. so theres no power struggle and thats why the dogs behave. when you leave, theres no one left in charge so the dogs fight over who will be the leader. so before you leave, you need to establish who will be in charge. the more dominant dog will need to be fed first, petted first, played with first etc.... once order has been established you and your dogs will be much happier. you should consider watching the dog whisperer on animal planet. he did an episode with a family who had the same problem. but you should speak to a professional before you try anything.

>>My wife and I recently adopted two dogs. Angel is a two year old female. She is believed to be a Kur, but with some other breeds mixed in. She was abadoned so very little is known about her prior to her arrival at the shelter. Argyle is a one year old, labradoodle mix (possible some scottie in there as well). He was an owner surrender as the puppy turned out to be more work then the owners wanted.
>>When we saw each of them we fell in love and couldn't choose and now we have two dogs.
>>So, here is our problem, 90% of the time the get along fine. Both are crate trained and they have our "family" room right now as theirs. The issue is that if we leave them they start to fight (I don't mean leave the house - I mean run upstairs for two minute to go to the bathroom or check on dinner). It starts out as play fighting but over the three weeks we have had the dog has gotten more constant and more aggressive. Now they are snarling and growling at each other.
>>I try to reward them for good behavior when I am with them, but no matter was, as soon as I leave the room, the go at it again. It usually starts over a toy or a choice spot on the floor, but sometimes seems to come from nowhere.
>>I thought maybe they are not getting enough exercise so I have upped there walks (we now do between 2 and 3 miles in the morning and another 1-2 in the afternoon). That has not really helped much (although they do go back into their crates and lie down a bitter earlier now).
>>Any books, exercises, classes would be helpful.
>>Thanks!!!

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

If it's over food or toys, that can be normal between male and female and managed by removing these items when they are together. If it's something else, that's more concerning. Here are some things you can do:

If you haven't had injuries, here are some things that can help:

1) Spay/neuter both of them.
2) Work with your veterinarian to be fully aware of the medical issues affecting each dog. For example, a dog with hip dysplasia, a damaged knee ligament, deafness or blindness will react differently to other dogs. A seizure disorder could make one dog the target of another, or could cause the dog in the seizure to become aggressive. Some medical disorders will call for separating the dogs at least part of the time.
3) Give no food of any kind to them without enforcing complete separation until both are finished eating. Any toys they would fight over need to be removed, and given only when they are apart. Same for chew items.
4) Obedience training. You need to be able to control EACH dog without your hands or a leash, just your voice. Then you have a chance of controlling both when they are together. You do not want to be sticking your hands between two sets of flashing dog teeth.
5) Take each dog away from the house daily for training time away from the other dog. This strengthens your individual control over each dog incredibly.
6) Comb out or in some other way thoroughly groom each dog daily. This makes it a lot safer to put your hands on them when they are aroused, plus it powerfully strengthens both their individual attachments to you and their obedience to you.
7) Have them do a 2-minute Sit-Stay and a 4-minute Down-Stay about 4 feet apart, every day.
8) As long as you have concerns they might fight, separate them when you are not able to supervise them.
9) A fenced back yard is a huge help with this. When you arrive home, immediately let them out to run together. They will argue a lot less if they can solve some of their relationship issues through running together. This is particularly important when returning with one of them who has been out with you. If they are cooped up in a small space when feeling this way, fighting is more likely.
10) Be careful about when and how you intervene. An owner interrupting the interaction between two dogs at the wrong time can actually trigger fighting. Dogs are also capable of fighting to get your attention.
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series articles at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47