I'm having a problem with Sadie being aggressive towards our other dog. Sampson is a chihuahua and poses no threat. It seems the fighting has become more frequent. I do not let them in the house at the same time. We have had Sampson longer and he feels that the house is "his turf" and Sadie needs to stay in her kennell or go outside. I don't understand it. They can get along so well and then 5 minutes later Sadie is on top of him. I noticed it happened a lot when I would let Sampson out and Sadie would be outside near the door. She would just pounce on him as if she was mad that she had to go outside before he did. If I let him out when she is on the other side of the yard she would normally leave him alone.....now you never know. Sampson does not even want to go outside anymore!!!!! The only time he does is in the morning when I let them both out at the same time. They have been in their crates all night so they both have going to the bathroom on their mind. Yesterday I was mowing the yard and I just happen to hear something. I looked over across the yard and Sadie had him down and he was yelping. My kids who are too small to pull her off where yelling at her but of course that didn't stop her. Sometimes she will just stand beside him just looking for a reason to get him. I've seen her stand there and wait for him to growl so she could get him. She even jumped on my friends 9 week old boxer pup this weekend. They had been playing all day real good!!!!! I noticed the pup ate some food out of her bowl while I was standing there and Sadie did nothing. A minute later she jumped the pup while he was standing there beside me!!!! She was very lucky that the daddy did not get involved because he's what you might call really big and Sadie would have gotten hurt. When she jumps on Samson she gets spanked and put in her kennell or gets tied up (which I hate). Any suggestions. Sampson is very depressed and Sadie is such a good dog most of the time. I haven't been able to spend as much time with her lately like I normally do, but I think it's a little deeper than that. Sampson will hide from her, where as 6 months ago they would be playing all day together. Do you think we have a problem with Sadie wanting to be the supreme dog or just a case of looking for a reason to get ticked at the little dog? Talk to me people!!!!!
aggressive toward other dogs
- Thread starter Shawn
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Usually it is best to not let any BIG fight start. Once they have been at it in a big way, they will often continue. I hope that you are able to remedy the situation though.
I would probably use pack ways of sorting this out. The way I understand it, a more senior pack member will dicipline subordinates by toppling the guilty party onto the floor and shaking it at the kneck while growling. This is just a suggestion, I don't know if it will work in your case. Maybe there are some experienced dog handlers that would disagree and I would be happy to learn.
Hope you get it right
Regards
Peter
I would probably use pack ways of sorting this out. The way I understand it, a more senior pack member will dicipline subordinates by toppling the guilty party onto the floor and shaking it at the kneck while growling. This is just a suggestion, I don't know if it will work in your case. Maybe there are some experienced dog handlers that would disagree and I would be happy to learn.
Hope you get it right
Regards
Peter
Hi
I'm no expert in dog behavior, but I think if Sadie gets spanked and put out everytime she's caught she's gonna associate Samson with -Bad News and may make things worse.
Normally though it's the older established dog that gets upset, maybe you could evaluate your behavior when you let them together- are you always anticipating something bad from Sadie?
Does Samson get most of the attention/petting?
Could try petting Sadie when Samson's around, making a fuss of her, and praising her for not getting rough etc.
I had the problem before, but the other way around. I put the puppy in a cage and let the older dog get use to it, and smell around and accept it. And once they looked like they would get along, let the older one have some direct contact with the puppy, and slowly worked from there.
/John
I'm no expert in dog behavior, but I think if Sadie gets spanked and put out everytime she's caught she's gonna associate Samson with -Bad News and may make things worse.
Normally though it's the older established dog that gets upset, maybe you could evaluate your behavior when you let them together- are you always anticipating something bad from Sadie?
Does Samson get most of the attention/petting?
Could try petting Sadie when Samson's around, making a fuss of her, and praising her for not getting rough etc.
I had the problem before, but the other way around. I put the puppy in a cage and let the older dog get use to it, and smell around and accept it. And once they looked like they would get along, let the older one have some direct contact with the puppy, and slowly worked from there.
/John
I usually try and treat them fairly when playing. Sadie does tend to get a little more attention when we are outside. She likes to play fetch where as Sampson doesn't so he is left out of that. When one gets petted the other wants it and we comply. They don't normally get mad at each other as long as we are petting them both. Sadie only gets spanked when she jumps on Sampson........as I said before she is a pretty good dog other than jumping on him from time to time. I don't think she has associated Sampson as bad news because they still rome the back yard together and play.........after all, it is her actions that she is getting punished for, not Sampson's. There is something there that I'm missing I'm sure. If Sampson is in the back yard and I let Sadie out everything goes smooth, but it Sadie is already out there and I let Sampson out, there is potential for a fight and Sampson is not the one picking it I don't think. That's not to say that they could be out there for and hour together and then something happen. Sometimes the fights happen as soon as they meet up in the yard and sometimes it might be hours down the road. There are those days that there are no fights at all. Sadie seems to be in good health so I don't think she is feeling bad. We all know dogs pick up on things that we don't. One thing I have picked up on is Sampson does not enjoy being with Sadie as much as he once did.
JulieM
Boxer Insane
Sadie is in the middle of adolescence and so may be trying to move herself up in the pack. You didn't say (or I didn't see) how old Sampson is?
Also, is Sadie is still outside most of the time, she may consider the yard to be "her" territory and Sampson an intruder.
There are several threads in the archives about dealing with fighting, aggression, etc. It also would help to do some obedience training with Sadie (if she's already had some, a refresher course may be in order) to help establish your place in the pack as well.
Also, is Sadie is still outside most of the time, she may consider the yard to be "her" territory and Sampson an intruder.
There are several threads in the archives about dealing with fighting, aggression, etc. It also would help to do some obedience training with Sadie (if she's already had some, a refresher course may be in order) to help establish your place in the pack as well.
Sampson is almost 3 where as Sadie is only 1 and half. They spend about the same amount of time both inside and out. Sadie is out a little bit more than Sampson just because he doesn't like her walking around while he is laying on the couch or where ever he might be........chihuahuas can be crotchidie!!! His temperment is pretty good for a breed know to bark at anything and everything. 
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Try some of these rules, they worked well with our foster within a week. I was amazed. No expert, just simple order and discipline that tells them whose boss.
1. Feed a high quality,’ all-natural diet. Avoid chemical preservatives, fillers, and excessive salt and sugar in the diet; Research the correct level of protein and fat for your dog's age, size; and behavior. Many dogs with behavior problems improve on a low protein diet, particularly one that is highly digestible, and contains little filler and chemicals. Discuss this with a behavior or canine. Nutritionist. '
,
2. Feed scheduled meals. Do not leave food down at all times. Allow the dog 10 minute$ to, eat, and then pick up the bowl. ; "
3. Eliminate all extra food treat~ except those used in training.
4. Dog must earn everything positive (food, attention, petting, etc.) by responding to a command such as "sit" first. Make the dog sit (or other) for everything, Including getting leash on, going in or out the door, getting in the car, etc.
5. Limit all attention, except that given during, training and exercise, or grooming sessions. Keep general attention. Petting, and talking to less than 10 seconds.
6. For two weeks, pick up all the dog's toys, and keep them out of reach. Dog may have a toy to entertain itself, but it must be given to the dog by you, and it must earn the toy by sitting. Permanently remove any toys that the dog is aggressively possessive over.
7. Never give the dog attention when it demands it. Ignore the dog, walk away from the dog, or remove the dog from the area for 10 minutes if the dog is "attention seeking". Attention seeking behaviors are problem behaviors IF the behavior disturbs you, or if the dog is aggressive, or a "problem dog" .In a normal dog, attention-seeking behaviors are not necessarily a problem.
8. Limit the dog's "freedom". Restrict unsupervised exercise or yard time, and do not allow the dog off-leash in an unfenced area.
9. Dog may not sleep on your bed; however, it should sleep in the bedroom, unless otherwise advised. Furniture may also be off limits in certain cases of aggression.
10. Daily, on-leash exercise is a must! The average dog needs about 30 minutes of on-leash walking daily. Many breeds and problem dogs need every more! Walking will help the dog to relax, and also teaches the dog that you are in charge. (As opposed to off-leash play or running, which can enhance the dog's independence.) Start with the goal of 30 minutes (can be divided into 1- 30 min, 2-15 min, or 3-10 min. session) and add a daily 10 minutes training session or Two, and a 5-10 minute retrieve session, and adjust the amount of exercise from there.
11. Begin general obedience training as soon as possible, or as soon as your dog can l i.) Be safely integrated into a class. Train your dog to the novice level~ and beyond. ~ The more your dog understands and learns to work with you, the less conflict you <\: will have with your dog.
1. Feed a high quality,’ all-natural diet. Avoid chemical preservatives, fillers, and excessive salt and sugar in the diet; Research the correct level of protein and fat for your dog's age, size; and behavior. Many dogs with behavior problems improve on a low protein diet, particularly one that is highly digestible, and contains little filler and chemicals. Discuss this with a behavior or canine. Nutritionist. '
,
2. Feed scheduled meals. Do not leave food down at all times. Allow the dog 10 minute$ to, eat, and then pick up the bowl. ; "
3. Eliminate all extra food treat~ except those used in training.
4. Dog must earn everything positive (food, attention, petting, etc.) by responding to a command such as "sit" first. Make the dog sit (or other) for everything, Including getting leash on, going in or out the door, getting in the car, etc.
5. Limit all attention, except that given during, training and exercise, or grooming sessions. Keep general attention. Petting, and talking to less than 10 seconds.
6. For two weeks, pick up all the dog's toys, and keep them out of reach. Dog may have a toy to entertain itself, but it must be given to the dog by you, and it must earn the toy by sitting. Permanently remove any toys that the dog is aggressively possessive over.
7. Never give the dog attention when it demands it. Ignore the dog, walk away from the dog, or remove the dog from the area for 10 minutes if the dog is "attention seeking". Attention seeking behaviors are problem behaviors IF the behavior disturbs you, or if the dog is aggressive, or a "problem dog" .In a normal dog, attention-seeking behaviors are not necessarily a problem.
8. Limit the dog's "freedom". Restrict unsupervised exercise or yard time, and do not allow the dog off-leash in an unfenced area.
9. Dog may not sleep on your bed; however, it should sleep in the bedroom, unless otherwise advised. Furniture may also be off limits in certain cases of aggression.
10. Daily, on-leash exercise is a must! The average dog needs about 30 minutes of on-leash walking daily. Many breeds and problem dogs need every more! Walking will help the dog to relax, and also teaches the dog that you are in charge. (As opposed to off-leash play or running, which can enhance the dog's independence.) Start with the goal of 30 minutes (can be divided into 1- 30 min, 2-15 min, or 3-10 min. session) and add a daily 10 minutes training session or Two, and a 5-10 minute retrieve session, and adjust the amount of exercise from there.
11. Begin general obedience training as soon as possible, or as soon as your dog can l i.) Be safely integrated into a class. Train your dog to the novice level~ and beyond. ~ The more your dog understands and learns to work with you, the less conflict you <\: will have with your dog.
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