fighting in same home

Daisymae · 05-18-2007, 09:41 AM

hello, wondering some advice. I am a begining dog trainer. Looking for answers in my own home. I have a doxie mix (age 4) and a min pin (at least 7-rescue). Doxie mix has decided to attack out of no where. min pin could just walk in the room and doxie goes flyin of the furniture into a rage and attacks. this happens every few weeks (for the last 4 years). before anyone judges, I have had an animal behaviorist look at the situation from the humane society I volunteered at for 2 years (and learned training skills from) as well as a trainer friend I trust come over. No one can seem to help. Anyone have any suggestions?
also, I would like to look at training dogs for people with physical challenges. Anyone know of a place in the twin cities? I'd love training to be my full time job,
after I settle this "disbute" with my two babbies. let me know if more information is needed

BoxMeIn21 · 05-18-2007, 10:05 AM

Hello and Welcome to DF! I wouldn't say for "no reason", there is always a reason. We, as humans, are usually not that keen on picking up the subtle looks and ways dog communicate with each other, this problem could have been brewing for along time. So first off - What sex are your dogs? Are they both fixed? Have they both had a full vet work up?

I am curious as to what the behaviorist and the trainer observed, what did they recommend?

Daisymae · 05-19-2007, 07:49 PM

min pin is a boy, fixed. doxie mix is a girl, fixed. got her as a pup and him as a rescue.
we believe he has been abused in his previous home, all those years ago. but like most creatures on this earth, once abused, it's hard to "shake it off." The trainer and behaviorist have thought that doxie mix daisy wants to "pull rank" with the older dog, Chandler. They also believe that the "fighting" is over me and not my husband. since then I have made sure he is more involved with activites with them. an example would be a saturday morning. I'm still sleeping, she is laying next to me and he comes in to say hi. he hits the door way and she's flyin over me and atacking him. when snuggling with him on the couch-both of us-he's got to be under the covers so she leaves him alone, if not, up on the couch she goes and attacks. this doesn't happen always, there have been many days where we all are sittin on the couch together as a "family" but those days she attacks, he can not handle it, and the time outs come. usually off to the kennel or to the bathroom she goes until she settles round 45 seconds and out she comes like nothing happens

Curbside Prophet · 05-19-2007, 09:13 PM

What have you tried so far to remedy the situation?

How available are you to the dogs? Do you work? Are you around them all day?

Have the dogs bitten eachother or you? How many times? How many vet visits have there been?

BoxMeIn21 · 05-20-2007, 04:03 PM

Fighting over you is not a good thing, you may think it's sweet, but it's quite the opposite. Normally when dogs react like this, they do not see the person they are "fighting" over as a strong leader, therefore they need to step up and protect you as a resource (resource for food, water, walks, snuggles, etc...) What you need to do is reaffirm your position as leader and make it clear that there is no reason to fight, ever. You are in control, and instead of giving out attention, food, etc, on their demand, they as your dogs will have to earn it. Have you heard of NILIF? I posted a link below that explains it, but there are varying degrees in strickness that you can use with this program.
I would strongly suggest you pick up a little booklet by Patricia McConnell, "How to be the Leader of the Pack". It's five bucks and a very easy read. She discusses those degrees of strickness, like totally ignoring your dog for a few days (aside from food, water, etc...), no eye contact, no cuddle sessions, nada.
You can find her book here:
http://www.dogwise.com/itemdetails.cfm?ID=DTB479

NILIF:
http://www.dogforums.com/3-dog-train...life-free.html (NILIF (nothing in life is free))

Daisymae · 05-21-2007, 09:28 AM

Thank you for your feed back! I love Patricia McConnell books. She is one of my favorite. I will take your suggestions to heart and ask the hubby to participate as well. I know that it isn't good for them to do this. we've tried to separate them when possible. Yes, I am very accessible when I am home. I work a day job -you're typical 8-5 with an hour lunch, which I usually go home and let them do a potty thing-which is really good for my carpet- a whole nother issue by the way. The doxie-daisy the younger one, since about 6 months has claimed me as hers. Always on my lap even when I am ignoring her. She's the more cuddly one. Chandler likes to keep his distance, just cuz he's not as cuddly. but when he wants cuddles, he makes it known to the whole house. No vet visits, however there was blood once in the 4 years she's been around. she flew from my lap on the recliner down to him. When she landed on him her tooth glazed his ear. he bled ofcourse, being the ear. the last "fight" his throat was wet, that was 1 week ago. She's better when she gets walked every day. he can no longer go on walks due to his back issues. I'm sure you're thinking-why doesn't she rehome them? the emotional bond I have with them is so strong. she helps me when I have seizures-last one was 2 years ago, and he is such a sweet dog, and good guard dog. he's taught me how to love and take care of another being and these are no excuxes, just how I feel about them. the fights are bout every 3 to 6 weeks.
I will check out the link you gave me, thank you and I hope this helps with more questions. I welcome them all- and need to solve this. thank you kindly for your time!

BoxMeIn21 · 05-21-2007, 11:04 AM

Rehoming would be one of my last suggestions.

But she definitely needs an attitude adjustment. I would seriously get the little booklet and start with the strictness of NILIF with her. No lap, No couch, nada. She needs to learn the rules. And you be strong, this happens so much with little dogs because we humanize them and baby them because "oh their so little and need me" when in turn you are creating a situation like the one you have now. So start treating them both like dogs and require that they act like dogs. Good luck. Keep us posted.