Dog Training Community

I have 3 dogs..One Boston about 5 yrs old who was a rescue dog. I've had her for 2 years. Ihave a min pin mix about a year old and a Golden ret/Lab mix 18 wks old. My Boston and the Min pin mix are fighting  only when I am around. It's hard to tell who is starting things. They both seem to consider me a resource that needs guarding. The Boston also seems to be concerned when the new pup and the Min pin mix are playing. She sometimes races over and stands over the Min pin and glares at her. I have been able to call her away and give her a time out in her kennel with a few treats until she calms down. The Boston is the smallest of the dogs but clearly considers herself top dog after me..the Min pin is shy and I'm still working on socialization. She is very attached to me and does not like the Boston standing in her way. The problem seemed to surface after the Min pin got terribly scared and pulled me off my feet and pulled the leash out of my hand. We were at a large park with trails..she was gone and ended up at the pound. I got her back one week after the incident. Since then she has been sticking to me like glue. She was terrified. Now I need to get everyone settled down. Please help. The Boston and the Min pin have had 2 big fights..and the Min pin has been into the vet's twice for wound repairs.  

Hi Pat,

With sibling issues it is imperative that you have a good management solution that you can rely on when you are not able to watch your dogs, even for a short period of time. You want to avoid what is called the "rehearsal" of the behavior. If they are constantly on edge and periodically get into fights then they will be much more tense and "jumpy" and it will be more difficult to teach them to be calm around each other.

You need to identify all of the variables that cause the aggression. It might just be you, but they might also be fighting over bones, toys, food, or attention as well. When you identify a variable such as a toy that they fight over, you need to slowly get them used to being around that item (could be you as well) without being aggressive.

Once you identify a variable, you can desensitize them to it. It is often best to work with two people, one with each dog. You should also get in the habit of having them wear leashes around the house so you can grab them if necessary. When either one does something inappropriate that has led to issues in the past, move them away and work on treating that variable. For instance, you mentioned that the Boston runs over and stands over the Min Pin when the Min Pin and the pup are playing. I assume this has previously resulted in a fight.

As an example of how to counteract this behavior try this:

• Watch your Boston
• As soon as she sees the other two dogs playing, gently hold the leash to prevent her from rushing over there
• Then, 'click' and give her a treat
• Watch her head
  
• As soon as she looks back at the other two, 'click' and treat again
• You can take steps closer after each 'click' as well, as long as she is calm
• If he gets too excited, gently move her away
• Eventually you will change the behavior pattern so she doesn't excercise the behavior of rushing over there and being aggressive

You can practice this strategy with any variable that causes her aggression. Just remember, keep her calm by keeping her far away from the situation until she is able to be closer.

There are more suggestions here as well.