Dog Fights

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Dog Fights!

Dear WOOF:

I recently had to move from Texas to Michigan with my two male dogs. One is a 2 year old husky, and the other 2 year old mix (of what I'm not sure). We moved in with my family who has a 6 month old male
Weimaraner who is very hyper and loves to play and bite them indoors. But once all three get outside, he cowers, and yelps anytime they go near him to play.

The problem is that my two dogs have been fighting with each other more and more lately. I never saw, or heard of them fighting while we lived in Texas, but now they fight at least once, sometimes twice a day. The fights always end with the husky on top, but as soon as they separate, the smaller dog puts his front paws on his back and stays there till the husky sits. I understand that they are going through some anxiety and dealing with the change in weather, and living conditions, and some dominance issues are coming up, but what can I do about them fighting over everything that the other one plays with or chews!

p.s. Getting rid of one of the dogs is not an option. I recently lost my husband, and loosing one of my babies is out of the question.

Hi:

I am so sorry for your loss. At this time especially, you need some peace in your life and home. I think that a few simple changes may help.

First, have either of your dogs been injured to any degree of severity during their fights? If not, they probably never will, and this is good news. If they have, please let me know so that I can help put you into contact with a qualified, positive reinforcement training professional in your area that can help you with an in-home consultation as soon as possible.

Now on to your problem. To begin with, the young Weimaraner is probably not very well socialized to other dogs, which is why you're seeing his submissive responses (cowering and whimpering) with the other dogs. He isn't being hurt - he's just letting them know that he's frightened. Their style of rambunctious play while they're together is just a bit overwhelming for him.

I would suggest that for a while you allow only one of your dogs (the most laid back and socially experienced) out in the yard to interact one on one with the Weimaraner. Allow the other to interact one on
one too, once the Weimaraner has gained some social confidence and is happily interacting with the other dog first. Once this happens with both dogs individually, you can have all three in the yard together for brief periods, working up from there.

Also, do your best to have your two dogs out in the yard without the other for a while (like while you are working with them individually with the Weimaraner in the yard). Your email suggests that the environment outdoors - in the yard - is where you are seeing the biggest problem, and it is more than likely contributing to the scuffles. There are lots and lots of possibilities for why this is happening, none of which are really important. The important thing to realize is that any time we add a new dog to an established group,
the dynamics change, and it takes a while for things to balance out between them all. Somehow, being out of doors triggers some tension between them, and since this is where see the most trouble, focus your efforts to improve the situation in that environment as I've suggested.

For the indoor environment, one sure way to reduce any tension is to make sure that you control their access to one another while in possession of a valued item. For now, simply keep them separate to
enjoy their chewies and rawhides. Once they're all more comfortable and have adjusted to the changes, things should be fine.

One final suggestion; more one on one time between you and your dogs separately...more walks, rides in the car, games, etc. Connect more with each one individually as well as paired. Increased exercise for
them both will also help to reduce the stress that they are undoubtedly under with all of the changes that have come about recently for them too!

I sincerely wish you and your family the best of luck, and hope that you find this information helpful.

Should you need further assistance, do not hesitate to contact us again. Thanks for writing.

Best of luck,
Lisa (Laney) Patrona, Dip. DTBC, CPDT, CBC

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