Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Maggie is now over a year old and weighs about 30 lbs. When she plays with my small, 12 lb. Corgi, she always grabs onto her neck, rump, legs, etc. Once she almost strangled the Corgi when her mouth got caught on the Corgi's collar. After that, I always removed the Corgi's collar in the house, only using it when she's on a leash outside. I have recently had an invisible fence installed, hoping to be able to give both dogs extensive exercise in the hopes that this will help curb the wildness in the house, most likely due to lack of exercise. We are still in the training mode, so I'm not sure if this is going to be successful or not. Maggie has definitely figured out what's required with the invisible fence, and clearly avoids going forward once she's heard the warning "beep". However, I'm very concerned that if I let the two dogs out together that Maggie will grab Sydney's collar (with the probes on the transmitter) and do serious damage to her (the probes might puncture Sydney's neck?). As an option, I purchased two spiked collars for Sydney. One for leash walking and wearing around the house, and one for the invisible fence transmitter, worn only when she goes outside. My intention was that when Maggie grabs her neck, the spikes would instantly teach her NOT to grab her there. Well, drawback of having an intelligent dog, Maggie quickly learned that if she grabs the EDGES of the collar, she avoids the spikes, and on goes the rough play of pulling on Sydney's neck and collar. So I'm back to square one. I've tried spraying bitter apple on Sydney's collar, as well as spraying it on her rump and nape of her neck. After a slight hesitation and head shaking, Maggie decided she didn't mind the taste enough to stop the behavior.

I'm ready to either purchase a muzzle for Maggie, or an electronic collar to train her NOT to "chew" on Sydney. Maggie doesn't seem to be trying to "fight" with her, simply to play WAY to rough. Sydney, being a true Corgi, often gets caught up in the playing and charges back at Maggie, grabbing hold of her FACE, and so it goes. I listen constantly for the pitch of their play to change and jump in to stop their rough-housing when it sounds like a fight is near. I'm still very afraid that Sydney will get hurt (by Maggie's pawing at Sydney's back and head as well as the grabbing hold of body areas).

I've thought seriously about having to find a new home for Maggie, but my 10-yr. old daughter would be devestated. Both dogs are "rescue" dogs, and Maggie has actually been with us the longest(since 9 wks. old), but Sydney is 3 yrs. old and well behaved overall, and thus a much easier dog to deal with. Keeping the dogs separate constantly is an option, but not a very desireable one. They are crated separately when I'm not home.

Does anyone have any ideas? I've read Kathy Diamond's recommendations about "Wild Dogs", as well many other articles I thought might address this particular problem, but couldn't really find anything to help. I'd appreciate any suggestions!

Integrating a new dog to the household, particularly a multi-dog household, changes the dynamics of the pack. It takes time, close supervision, consistent (and constant) training to make this successful.

Size and breed of dogs must also be taken into consideration so that smaller dog/s aren't victims of abuse by larger ones, particularly overbearing exuberant large breed puppies that play too rough.

The newcomer, in this case, needs to be kept separate (for several months) to undergo training for house manners and obedience. Once that's done to your satisfaction, gradually start re-integrating to the rest of the dog family but only under strict supervision and at selected play times.

Be consistent, firm but yet fair in training the newcomer. Set down your rules for the household, such as no rough-housing indoors, stay off furniture, etc. Outdoors they've allowed to play games together (such as chasing/retrieving toys) but are not allowed to chase, pull, or antagonize each other.

Building some simple agility equipment takes their minds off run/chase/tugging games that can cause serious injury, and instead puts that extra energy to constructive use. (Think of children on a playground with no equipment...they quickly get bored and start antagonizing each other, but add some play equipment and that same playground becomes fun and challenging).

A well-trained dog won't need muzzles, shock collars, bitter tasting deterants, but instead will instantly obey the owner's commands. This takes time, it takes patience and determination to get the pack dynamics so that it's a peaceful existence.

If this seems too big a challenge, perhaps it would be better to rehome the newcomer where it can have a more structured lifestyle, preferably as an only dog. You owe it to your much smaller Corgi to provide a safe environment.

Chirp and The ChirpnTails Animal Performers
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Thank you for your input and ideas. I'll focus on stopping the indoor rough-housing. I've been calling a stop to it when Maggie gets "too rough", but I'll stop it sooner now and see if that helps. When they play tug-o-war with a toy it seems to be fine. Do you think that's still ok, or too close to setting off the body-chomping behavior? And outside I'll monitor them closely -- or let them out individually. I haven't been able to do this yet since they're still in training for the Invisible Fence.

I, myself, would not allow any tug games as these can quickly turn to tug-on-each-other games, the very thing you're trying to avoid.

Instead I would keep separate, train, socialize, play with each one individually until the youngster learns good doggie manners. This may take several months of consistent, individualized training so the youngster looks to you (the alpha) for direction, rather than doing whatever his little exurberant puppy heart desires. This energy needs to channeled into another direction, one that is safe for smaller dog/s and overall harmony in the household.

Chirp & The ChirpnTails Animal Performers
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Hmm... to be honest, I don't know how I would address your problem. I have a pit bill, Emily, and a tiny Jack Russell/Pug mix. They play VERY rough, and to be honest I let them. I crate them seperately when I leave the house. They know when to stop the racket just by hearing the pitch in my voice, and they stop immediatly. Maybe you need to train them a little better and work with it. If they don't play aggressive, or draw blood then it seems like the situation might work out. I know in my house that Emily has figured out hot to pick up the little one by his collar and carry him around the house, so now I have to make sure to take it off as soon as we get back from walks. Speaking of walks, that is another thing we have just masterd. They can walk together with me outside at the same time with no play or rough housing (only took 2 months... haha).
Good luck!