My dogs - arghhhhhh

Re: My dogs - arghhhhhh

Sandra Taylor RVN, MBVNA — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 21:08:52 GMT

My 3 fight over toys, so there are none on show in the house. Circe has her sucky blanket, and sometimes that can cause a fight if Bubble wants to play with it.

Mine have had a good few fights, not full on though, I have learned the triggers with them all, so try to avoid it as much as possible.What I have found though on the odd time they are going hammer and tongs is, I say nothing, I just walk over and grab the pair by the scruff, not pulling or hurting, just grab and hold for a few seconds, and they stop dead everytime, then I let go, it's like they are in a trance like state, it's amazing.The only time it gets tricky is if the JRT wants to join in, then I have to fend her off with my foot (not kicking her, just pushing her aside). It works so well my kids can even do it now. I also do it if they are eyeballing, I just hold and then they are fine..... oh forgot to say I thank them in a stern tone while holding them.

Re: My dogs - arghhhhhh

Louise B — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 20:54:11 GMT

No - they fought a bit the first week or two that Jenny moved in (but nothing major - just noise) but that was back in September. There has been no fights since then (although Casey will growl if the dogs walk past the room where she is being fed) and they actually get on really well - play together indoors and out on walks. They are used to being given treats together but they are never fed together as I wouldn't trust Casey or Shadow not to fight over food. Casey (Jenny's dog) can be a bit funny/aggressive about her bedroom and food though and is hugely food motivated. Sadie is hugely food motivated but has never been food aggressive. However, Sadie, being a terrier, will always have a fight if the other dog offers one (she then gets hugely upset afterwards, chatters her teeth violently and, occasionally, will have a fit). Shadow can be food aggressive (but rarely is) but otherwise is really dog friendly. My guess is that Casey tried to steal Sadie's kong and picked a fight with Sadie in the process and Sadie reacted to that (she wouldn't have reacted to the actual kong being taken). I had left the bedroom when it happened - Shadow shot up the stairs and joined in so it was a threesome by the time I reached the top of the stairs. I read them the riot act and threw the duvet over them and that stopped them all dead in their tracks. They then all dived under the bed (together) to get away from me as it was obviously I was livid - Shadow then appeared to do his usual appeasing behaviour (ie. licking and creeping round me), Sadie came out teeth chattering and wanting a hug and Casey shot out and ran off with the kong!

I checked them over and saw the injuries so called the vets who said come straight down. By the time I had grabbed my keys they were all back to normal, Sadie was trying to get Casey to play and Shadow was at the front door barking to go for a walk.

Re: My dogs - arghhhhhh

Sandra Taylor RVN, MBVNA — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 19:56:41 GMT

Awww louise, have they fought like that before? or is this the first time?

Were you there when it happened?