At My Wits End....
My 2 Kids... Baxter & Bailey. I am at a loss. Baxter is 6 - Bailey is 4. Both are AKC Pembrokes. I obtained both as puppies, the original intent was to join the ranks as a breeder of quality, hand raised pups. Long story, but the decision was made to spay and neuter and enjoy the dogs as loved pets.
Their living relationship has been one of 2 alpha characters living under the same roof. So the challenges have been numerous. Between Tasmanian fights, always challenging "me first", with Bailey being the most dominant, until Baxter has had his fill of her. Prior to Bailey coming to our home, Baxter was a sweet lovable teddy bear. Now he is unpredictable, can still be sweet, but also cranky and untrustworthy. Bailey is very smart, willing, but extremely dominant.
I found this site and have read and utilized many of the training techniques for dealing with the challenges of keeping the dogs in check and maintaining my position as pack leader. These 2 are very intelligent and always trying to run the show.
Lately, I feel like I am losing the battle (and my mind). Baxter has taken to forgetting his house training. He started using the room where the dog door was as his preferred place. So, after deep cleaning the rug, closing the dog door and the access to the room, that game has stopped. He has not had any accidents or intentional marking since. So, not quite sure what that was all about. But right now, the room is off limits.
Meanwhile, Baxter cannot be trusted. He has bitten me twice and has no qualms about snarling or threatening to bite if he feels he is being threatened. If you walk too closely to him, or handle him wrong. Get ready. I feel like he is a ticking time bomb. This has been going on for over a year. He will be good and sweet, then all of a sudden....
Yesterday the dogs had a huge fight. We were getting ready to leave the house. Since the dog door has been closed, the dogs are now relegated to the back yard when we leave. I usually give them a small treat or chew bone to keep them occupied when we leave. All of a sudden, Bailey challenged Baxter for his bone and the fireworks went off. Baxter ended up biting Bailey in the face, drawing blood.
Last night, they were on "restriction". No ball, confined to where they must lay down, sit and stay for anything; Dinner, outside, pets, etc. They know they are being watched closely and that I am not amused.
Maintaining that posture this morning. But really worried. I am considering re-homing one (or both), of the dogs to stop the constant antagonism between these two. Even when they play ball (a tired corgi is a happy corgi), they growl and snarl at each other. Bailey gets the ball 95% of the time, with Baxter running along side.
Suggestions?
Comment
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Comment by Holly on September 21, 2014 at 2:18pm
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That is so good to hear! I think you will be amazed at how much more insight you will get from the training. One tip that may help to prepare for training sessions is having plenty of very small reinforcers such as cheese cut up into little pieces, (I use pea sized, your trainer may recommend larger) and having them ready for all training sessions. I now use simple pieces of dry kibble, but the sessions with a trainer are a little more stressful as it is with a stranger and the distraction level is higher. In other words, having a higher value reward is helpful at times. The training required frequent very small rewards, in my case at least, and I was glad I had cut up such a large amount so it was ready ahead of time. Two dogs would go through plenty I am sure. I have a good feeling about this since it sounds like the dogs both respect you still. Mutual respect is the key I think. Good luck!
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Comment by DJ on September 20, 2014 at 7:19pm
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The great thing that has happened since I posted this blog....A) the resources and experience you have all shared B) To learn that some of the behavioral issues are very common. I am really looking forward to the meeting with the trainer. Meanwhile, the kids have been behaving very well all week. Could be because I am doing a better jib of staying on top of them, or they know they are in deep doo doo. Currently up to our eye bals in fur, they are shedding like crazy! Back to my vacuum...thanks again to all.
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I read some incredible training tips on he Humane Society website. There are some good tips on resource guarding which is natural dog behavior, but can become severe if not handled carefully. The tips may be helpful regardless of whether you have one or two dogs. There are many other great tips as well. I landed on the site accidently and I wished I had seen it sooner. There is also another term that uses the same principle as NILIF but it is called the "Say Please" method. It is much closer to what I have used. If Sully tried to go through the door ahead of my, for example, I would shut the door and say "manners." She would then sit (reluctantly) as she knew it was the only way she would get out side. Now she happily sits before anything she values, such as eating, but we are still working on the "stay" command. I wouldn't beat yourself up too much about the struggles you are having. My family is grown and I no longer work full-time, but I cannot imagine how people manage more than one animal. I find the attention, care and especially the training, are rewarding, but very time-consuming. The dynamic of two attention seeking dogs would be more than I could manage, even with my flexible schedule. As I said, the Humane Society, like many websites, has plenty of good ideas, but I found its text easy to read and put to use.
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Comment by Vicky Hay on September 20, 2014 at 4:11am
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This really hits home. Similar behavior is developing with Ruby the Corgi Pup, who has about beaten poor old Cassie down. It's complicated by the fact that the "simple 20-minute lumpectomy" I was supposed to have has morphed into three surgeries, about to be a fourth, and then very probably a mastectomy. After Monday's surgery, I was simply too sick to take care of the dogs and so asked my son to come and get them. He took Ruby only, which was OK because Cassie is the next best thing to a stuffed animal.
After five days, Cassie is beginning to return to her normal self, though she's still not quite there.
My son still has Ruby but wants to return her. Meanwhile, I've decided that even if I weren't too sick to cope, I can't keep this puppy. Sooner or later she and Cassie are going to get into it. They have to be kept separated every time I leave the house and watched every single minute I'm in the house. Cassie hides in the bathroom and refuses to come out -- she's terrorized by the little tyrant. When she does come out, Ruby jumps on her and bites at her.
This behavior seems to be following the pattern Jane describes: two females, one nondominant but losing her patience and starting to fight back. It sounds, too, from what others have said, as though it's not an uncommon occurrence.
In my opinion, you have to take care of yourself first. You can't care for a dog or a pair of dogs if you're injured, and a dog bite can be a very serious injury, indeed. I would not keep a dog that bit me -- it's dangerous to do so.
The breeder who provided Ruby wrote into the sale contract that she would take the dog back if the buyer EVER wanted to rehome it. Since you evidently bought your dogs from someone who was breeding quality animals, possibly you have the same arrangement? This would be the path of least resistance: send one of them back to the breeder.
The contract with Ruby's breeder states that she wants to take the dog back if things don't work out. I'm afraid that's what's going to have to happen. Life has been busily going from bad to worse since last June...a dog fight and a visit to the veterinary or the human ER are the last things I need. And I'll bet they're the last things you need.
Take care of your own safety. And of the dogs' safety.
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DSmith...yes the bark collars and invisible fence collars are great training tools. We use the invisible fence system, have had it for years. The corgis learned very fast. They don't even wear the collars, if they come took close to the fences, all I have to say is "bad fence" and they back off. I had to utilize the bark collars, again for a short time to correct separation anxiety. Bailey would basically get mad when we left if she didn't get to come with us. Used a. Ipad AP to record the activities. Collars helped alot. If the digs see them come out, they know.
Have an experienced Corgitrainer coming to the house next week. We will know more soon. Thanks!
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Comment by DSmith on September 18, 2014 at 5:47pm
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Hi DJ...I understand the emotional turmoil you are experiencing. I went through something simular. My George was a gift to me. He came from a pet store. He is a wonderful corgi with a beautiful disposition. After my other rescue dogs passed I decided to get him a corgi companion. At 6 months old Dexter came from a local breeder. He was fine for a few months then what seemed out of the blue he started getting viscious towards any other animal. I broke up a couple of fights getting bit myself while he attacked a friends dog. That was it for me. At the suggestion of my friend I put him on a bark collar. It was a soul serching process. I cried the first time it activated. That was 7 years ago. At first I had it on him much of the day then I decreased the usage. all I had to do was to mention the collar and his behavior was redirected. that collar stopped working more than a year ago. All I have to do is mention it, to this day and he stops. I also feed the dogs seperately and Dexter has his crate to decompress quietly. I also exercise them daily. They love their frisbees and walks/hikes. I know some people may think a bark collar is cruel. I will tell you I know that it saved his life. I considered re-homing him but I was determined to make it work. These dogs have a big fenced in yard and a life time of long off leash hikes in the woods...i just felt he wouldn't get that elsewhere. (a vet suggested putting him down). I'm just saying that this was a situation that I had never encountered in all my years of dog ownership. The dog collar worked for us. Good Luck to you and your puppies. By the way incase you're wondering...Dexter 8 years young is named after the Showtime character. George a stately9 years. is named after King George.
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Comment by Beth on September 17, 2014 at 11:14pm
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Sounds like a very good plan. Hope it allows you to reach a decision everyone is comfortable with. Good luck!
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Hi Jane...thanks. I agree that the re-home option may be the best resolution. I just have to take these steps to be sure I am doing due diligence in being a responsible dog owner. This decision is very difficult and one that I am not making light of. The support from you and the group has been wonderful. I will let you know how things go. I am waiting to hear back from the director of the corgi rescue group.
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Comment by Jane Christensen on September 17, 2014 at 6:47pm
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Sounds like a good plan. Most of us would want to try to do whatever we could to keep our Corgis but then there are some that a different home may be the best for the corgi...good luck!
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First a huge thanks to all who have commented and offered suggestions, support, et all. I am humbled by your kindness. You do understand!
I have contacted a local Corgi rescue. In discussion with the director re a Trainer that fully understands Corgi's and their special personalities, or re-homing. In my mind, before I relinquish, I have to be sure I have taken the proper steps. I don't take this decision lightly. Thank you again for your support.
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