Jealous dog keeps fighting with the other dog, what to do?

[Themasterandmargaritas]

We have two dogs, the first we got when she was a puppy and she is now just over 1. The second we rescued from someone and she is perhaps 4. Personality-wise they are very different, the younger is very lively, very active and a pain in the neck a lot of the time! The older is slower but very docile. They both get on brilliantly with the children, when they are on their own with them. As soon as both dogs are there and either the dc or me are around the younger one won't let the older one near us, to the point that it has erupted in a few quite viscious fights. I can't let it go on like this as I'm worried a fight will break out when I am not there to split them up and they may be near the children. Any suggestions as to how to resolve this?

We have been doing the dog whisperer on our two dogs, and it has worked wonders on their behaviour. Have you ever watched the programme? The new series is on National Geopgraphic and they are showing the prev series on Sky 3.

Basically he recommends becoming the pack leader to your dogs. Our first (also youngest dog) often gets jealous of our second, older dog. We put the first dog onto her side on the floor and hold her there until she calms. We also 'disagree' with her behaviour every time she acts in a dominant way, by telling her to shh and never stroking her when she is like that.

Oh good idea Minxie thanks, I will check and see if it is on our Nat Geo here.

We do 'disagree' with her behaviour, eg if they both approach the car when I arrive back, and dog 1 growls at dog 2, then I ignore her and pet dog 2, but it doesn't seem to make any difference. I will try the putting her on her side and see if that helps.

Just had a look and it's on Nat Geo Wild at various times tonight between 5pm and 11pm.

Hope it helps, I know it sounds trite but it really has changed our lives. We were very a bit soft with our dogs, they used to rush about all the time and drag us down the road when we walked. Now they go straight to their bed when told and walk at heel no problem on the lead. They even sit at the back door to have their feet wiped when it's muddy - who said OCD?

It took a few months of hard work but they are a joy to be around now. I've always loved them but they did stress me out sometimes before

2 bitches? Ooohhh bad idea. You will need to take them to dog training classes (and get a muzzle for when things get out of hand). Bitches will 'fight to the death' as one trainer put it to my sister.

We are not in the UK but will go and have a look and see if it is in our schedule here.

Dog 1 is very trainable, loves it in fact, great on the lead, sits beautifully. I must teach her to wipe her feet though that would be very helpful

Dog training classes are few and far between here and are probably based on techniques and ideas from the 1950's!

We have had 2 bitches in the past Georgiemama, with not the slightest problem. Both have been spayed so I don't see why this can't be solved with a little elbow grease from me.

I hope it's on your schedule Personally I hate dog training as it's so uniform and if they can't fix something they make these outlandish claims - bitches will fight to the death - come on! Dogs live in packs in the wild so that can't possibly be the case. I would say it's just a case of your first dog trying to be dominant and a bit possesive of her owners. My friend was an animal trainer for TV shows and films, the dog whisperer is exactly the kind of thing she practised with much success. I sound like I'm in a dog whisperer cult now

My sister had 2 alsations from puppies and the problem was just one had an irritating personality and used to wind the other up. I suppose dogs are like humans! The trainer did say that bitches were the worse when they fought because when they got going...

She did eventually get them to behave (and she is a really good dog handler) but even then, she did need to keep an eye on them.

Us women, we love a good fight!

Sadly it hasn't reached Africa yet, though Fishzilla looked quite interesting

Perhaps I can google it and see if I can do it through the web.

Are you on commission Minxie?

I should be Here's a link to the DVD on amazon link Think I have a secret crush on Cesar Millan - not so secret now He's so not my usual type