Aggression issues...
I am still having issues with My 8 month old OES pup's. They play happily outside, but will launch into fighting inside. I have to leash them both in order to control it, and am really sick of the growling which is NOT o.k. with me. What is up with these guys?? They are the SWEETEST dogs in every other circumstance...but add food, or the indoors and you have GRIZZLIES! help... |
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| have you consulted a behaviorist that specializes in resource guarding - that really sounds like your issue and something they will not outgrow on their own.
It also takes time - my two are just over four and can suddenly eat next to each other with no issues - wasn't always the way, but we worked at it - alot!!! |
Thanks! I have a behaviorist that is going to come out in the next few days to assess the situation....so it is great to know I am on the right track, and I will mention resource guarding to her. I really appreciate this input!
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| My oes litter mates (sisters) had similar problems when they were young. They'd go from being best friends to being ferocious monsters fighting with one another. We sought out an aggression specific trainer and learned that they weren't aggressive, but having dominance issues. The trainer helped teach us how to train specifically for these sorts of things. My girls just turned 2 in October, and though we still have the occasional squabble, they are really, really great with each other 99% of the time. I figure most multi-dog households have the occasional dominance dispute, or fight over a prized toy. And none of these ever result in stitches or blood letting, so I'm pretty content. |
| Number one, feed them apart, with a closed door between them.
Number two, are you sure they are fighting? Not that I doubt you but my two sound like they are killing each other when they play. |
Simon's Mom wrote: Number two, are you sure they are fighting? Not that I doubt you but my two sound like they are killing each other when they play.
Oh yeah there is that  I sometimes look around to make sure the neighbors aren't running with hoses to seperate them when they "play"  even my husband has been known to come running to see who is killing whom.  |
| No....it is definitely fighting...grizzly bear type fighting. It really does seem to be about dominance, but...what it the line between aggression and dominance? One of my guys will lightly growl from time to time at my kids too, which, because of the fighting between dogs, really scares me! I have been feeding them apart, keeping the one with the most potential to go after the other eating out of my hands. I also have been keeping them on leash and if one of them gets all stiff or growly I issue a quick firm NO and a quick tug.
Outside, they rough and tumble, chase and roll around...they even hop on the trampoline and wrestle (which is soooo funny) They have a good ol time together, and always lick each other in greeting in the morning. Inside, specifically in the living room and kitchen...they go nuts at each other. not play....really fighting. They both have had scrapes around the nose and eyes because of it. I love them both so much....both must stay. I wish my trainer would come back from vacation so we could NIP this in the bud. They are waaaaay to big to be flashing teeth at each other....or my kids. How are the sweetest dogs in the world so Bi-polar?! |
| I assume they are littermates? Eight months old is still VERY young - even though they are probably big physically already. Are they both the same sex? If males, have you thought about neutering?
I feed my two in different rooms with a gate between them. They get bones to chew only when seperated by the gate or in another room. even toys are played with seperately. They really only get food together when its treats for training and they MUST di a sit/stay or down/stay for me, side by side, to get the treat. I will say my two play like pandas sometimes. Up on two legs with front paws jabbing at the other. it is scary to watch sometimes but so far no one's been hurt, no blood drawn and when one stops, the other does too. However, in our den, the couch is a problem. the older one wants to sit on it and doesn't want the younger one up. Problem was solved but not allowing either up there! Curious to see what the trainer says. I think sometimes the leash causes reactions the dogs doesn't mean to make and sends off the wrong signals to the other dog. Anxious what the trainer thinks. Keep us posted. |
| Oh let's not start the neutering discussion again - please!!
Yes it might stop their behavior against each other as, if I remember correctly one is neutered one is not, but it doesn't matter for their behavior around the kids. And having an intact young male myself and neutered older males, I know the behaviors can be trained out. Safety first - feed seperately (I did for a couple of years), don't treat - ever if anyone growls, and remember a growl is a warning - teach the kids to step away until the trainer is able to fix it. |
| Yes....the kids have been alerted to NEVER put their faces near the dogs, and to only go near them if I am right there. One of them was snapped at when petting mr. sleepy pup, and luckily was not hurt, but got scared. These puppies are so cuddly looking and cute, that they really inspire everyone and their uncle to want to drop down and hug them! But....I'm wary. I know I can kiss them on the nose with no problem, but I wouldn't take the chance with my kids doing the same thing...not yet anyway. But that is my goal....to have big happy dogs that are never snappy and unpredictable. These guys are waaaaaay to big to get away with that.
As for neutering. It's my guy that is neutered that is the most snappy...sooo...there you go. He is the most obedient, gentle critter in the world, and literally...I take him everywhere because he is my service dog in training. He is clam, sweet, afectionate and devoted...and I think he's also maybe a little spoiled because he seems to think he can lord it over the kids with occasional growling, and other Sheepie. He never bosses the pug or basset around....or me....or my husband. I've been having the kids start to feed him by hand, to let him know that they are in charge too. He is MOSTLY very sweet with them....but seems to want to herd my 6 and 8 year old if they bounce past him. I have been telling the kids to LOOK first (to see if there is a toy or bone that he is interested in) and then WALK calmly past, giving him SPACE, but not acting afraid, and to offer a treat if he has been calm. This is all supervised of course. As for the leash...I know it might be giving him cues that I don't intend, but it is simply the only way I can prevent him lunging at the other sheepie suddenly. Believe me...my husband and I are VERY eager to get this trainer in our house because before we rescued the 2nd sheepie, we couldn't believe how GREAT and simple it was to have such a perfect dog. Now our perfect dog is being grouchy...What if our 2nd sheepie is teaseing in silence? He seems so innocent...but all of this started when he attacked our 1st over food (he was starving...part of the rescue need). Now I fear that my 1st guy is now afraid of being attacked, and so is attacking first. I'm trying to be proactive. But...what I really need is someone that can show me what I'm doing wrong. I MUST be doing something wrong, because the problem isn't going away. |
| One other thing to think about...does your dog "own" you? Are you his and only his?
I'm not talking about the dominance thing here. Its a hard thing to explain. The dog looks at you as his. He will not share you with anyone else. Definantly (sp) not another sheepie. We've had several members here who have dogs that have fought when they were youngsters. Its a hard thing to watch but as they have gotten older they settled down. I do have to say that it worries me that an eight month old would growl at the kids. My Simon is a growly dog. He does it to show his displeasure He gets a sharp reprimand when he does that and it "usually" stops. He never shows teeth, just grumbles. |
| Does he "own" me? I think he is really attached to me...follows me everywhere...enjoys being with me. He doesn't have a problem with my kids being near me, or my husband being near me. He seems to know he's mine...and is protective of me.
He started growling here and there at the kids after we got sheepie #2 because he was on edge. Not all the time, and mostly he is sweet with them. However, it concerns me too which is why the trainer is needed. He is like Mary's little lamb....he is ALWAYS by my side unless he's playing outside with the other sweet sheepie. I know it sounds contradictory to say "Sweet sheepie" when they've been fighting...but mostly they ARE sweet. This is a very flip flop issue. |
| Also...I might mention that they walk with me together beautifully. No fighting. no growling.
sigh. It's just....hard...sometimes. and at sudden moments. |
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