Dominance/Aggression/Why can't we all just get along?!?!
Coming to draw on the collective wisdom that is MyCorgi..
We adopted Zoey as a stray from the shelter in August. They got into several quarrels the first few weeks, but it was mostly just noise and nothing else. Everything had been going pretty smoothly(maybe a brief tiff once a week) until we started Zoey on estrogen late October for urinary incontinence. Almost immediately she was picking fights with Tucker and being generally hard to live with. We took her off of that and now she is on Propalin, which is not supposed to make her aggressive.
About two weeks ago they got into a fight in the hallway. I yelled at them to quit, walked out there to check on it, and Tucker's ear was dripping blood. She had bit him on two different spots. Tonight I heard growling from the backyard, opened the door, and yet again, Tucker's OTHER ear is dripping blood. Zoey didn't have a mark on her either time.
They like to play rough. They wrestle and sometimes Tucker will be annoying (hopping around, nipping at her legs, ears, etc.) But he has never put a mark on her.
I'm afraid that it's going to turn serious one day. I don't want to have to rehome Zoey, but Tucker was here first. Is this sort of "rivalry" normal for a multiple dog household? Is there anything I can do?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Jane Christensen on
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Could you exercise Zoey hard 1st? Like playing ball till she's pooped? Livvy has an extreme herding drive and I believe this also makes her want to be the alpha female. If I run her butt off playing ball (fetch it) alone or only with Sage she is content, it's hard but worth it. Livvy has gone after 2 of my females a few times but this has helped 99%. I still watch for the "look" and if she starts staring I intervene as she will start something. I hope this makes sense. The only other thing I did do for a bit was to use a bark collar(I don't believe in them but was desperate) and only have had it on a very few times but she learned that she can't go barking after another dog with this.
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Permalink Reply by Bev Levy on
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She is making herself at home and has decided to take charge. Some dogs will do this and I think it is pretty common in the working breeds. I found that looking up Nothing in Life is free and following some of those techniques helped me see how we were contributing to the problem by not taking charge. Obedience classes are also a great way to get some exercise both mentally and physically.One of mine seems to be very strong in that "bossy" corgi behavior and often needs to be reminded that I am in charge not him. I have been successful with leashing him at times when he is most prone to being a problem. (In our case it is bedtime and in the kitchen) Mostly you need to observe and try to determine "the look" that Jane talks about so you can intervene before an attack occurs. As soon as you see the stare call the dog to you as a distraction. I am not sure unless you are an expert that you will be able to determine if Tucker is doing something to cause this but you taking charge in your home with both dogs will help stop this whether or not you do. Try not to give up on Zoey too quickly as you have done a wonderful thing in rescuing her! I would not allow too much rough play between the two of them until their listening to you improves. You should be able to break things up with a call from you. I have three dogs that did not all grow up together and they do well together most of the time but I do occasionally have to tell them to "knock it off". I get to determine who lives here!
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Permalink Reply by Yuki & Ellie on
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I agree with Jane and Bev. It will be worth your while to try to determine the times that are most likely to cause a problem (whether it's the time of day, when there's food around, just after they've napped, etc.) and work on keeping them under very careful supervision.
As Jane said, exercise (both physical and mental) will go a very long way to improving the situation. If she already knows basic obedience, then try taking an advanced course. While you're there, ask the trainer if he/she has any advice on the issue. See if she'll take to something like agility or rally, or try taking her out jogging or for extended play sessions. You're going to want to make her work off all of that excess energy and establish that you are the leader/mom/one in charge.
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Permalink Reply by Jennifer Markley on
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They are working out the pack order. Like Bev said, she's is feeling at home, and is trying to take charge. I also agree totally with what Jane said--my Seanna is a very dominant dog, has a very strong herding/prey drive, and starts less fights when she's well exercised. When Seanna starts getting owly with the others, I start doing the NILF program. When it gets really bad, and I know the others don't agree with doing this, but I stop of her of it completely by scruffing her and pinning her down. BUT- that being said, I started doing it when she was a puppy, know her temperment, and know that she knows I am the dominant one. I know she'll back down and won't bite. I've also done this with other stray dogs that I've taken in, but you really have to know what you are doing so you don't get mauled. I'd watch videos on signs of dog aggression on the internet so you can pick up when she is starting to get ready to pounce. Then you can break it up before it gets out of hand. Try to leash her and belt her to you when you are home, and make her follow you everywhere. Then, try to avoid situations like everyone said that might trigger aggression, feeding, etc....
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