| Look into Patricia McConnells booklet and/or DVD "Feeling Outnumbered?". I think you will find these helpful, maybe not for the water problem but for some of the other things you've mentioned.
The only suggestions I can think of for the water aggression are...
Have the dogs take turns swimming rather than allowing them to swim together. While one is swimming work on some obedience exercises with the other and then switch.
Another thing you can try is putting Hazel on a long line so you have better control. Keep a close eye on them and the second you think Hazel is going to start a fight, try to redirect her attention to you to break her focus. You may be able to do this by just saying her name cheerfully and calling her to you or you could try using a favorite squeaky toy. If at anytime a fight begins, mark the behavior with a specific word such as "time out" or "too bad" and direct Hazel out of the water with the long line for a time out. For this to be effective you will have to do it every time she reacts this way the second it begins, preferably before it begins when she is just thinking about it.
Removing something Hazel wants (access to the water) as a consequence of a specific behavior will decrease that behavior. Timing is important.
As far as Hazel attacking Mocha when you give her attention......
Work on basic obedience with each dog separately and then start practicing with them both at the same time. Be sure to practice in a variety of locations and in various circumstances. Polite behavior should get her what she wants, while pushy behavior causes her to lose the things she wants. The booklet/DVD I mentioned above can provide more specific details.
I can put Natalie in a sit-stay and then walk over to Sebastian and give him treats while she watches and behaves herself. For that, she has been heavily rewarded. I can give both dogs attention at the same time or separately while they sit patiently side by side.
In the past, if Sebastian tried to block Natalie from the couch, he lost access to the couch. If Natalie tried to grab at the treat I was offering Sebastian, she lost her opportunity to get a treat. If either of them tried to push the other out of the way to get affection, he or she was body blocked and ignored. It didn't take long for them to learn that being patient and polite gets them everything they want.
Last edited by opokki; 07-07-2006 at 10:08 PM.
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