I just came across your website tonight while searching for some "dog behavior" info. I'm hoping some of you knowledgeable folks can help me.
I have had two dogs for the past 8 years (they're both 8 yrs old and have been practically raised together since birth). About two months ago, an abandoned dog showed up at my house and I couldn't help but take him in...he's a good little dog, I'm not quite sure of his age, but I'm guessing he's around 1-2 years old. So I have,
Dog #1- Jack Russell, 8 yrs old, was neutered at young age, seemed to be top dog, the feisty one of my dogs.
Dog #2- Mixed breed dog that I rescued, 8 years old, he's always been the more timid dog, he rough plays with dog #1 but they've never fought. I never had him neutered, so he's still intact.
Dog #3- The new dog, he's playful, but not mean. I haven't had him neutered yet, but I have an appointment.
Here's the problem, dog number #2 and dog #3 are fighting as of late. It started with dog #3 growling at the food bowl, and I chalked it up to his being new. I don't know where he came from or how he'd been treated, but dog #2 usually backed away from the bowl when the growling started. However, for the past week, dog #2 has started to fight dog #3 whenever he starts to growl. It's as if dog #2 finally had enough of the growling and now he's not taking it anymore. The fights are quite intense but no dog has been hurt...yet. I have been feeding them separately and spraying them in the face with a water bottle whenever they begin to growl or tense up for a fight. It's really stressful though, because both dogs are great aside from this. And, even though the new dog starts the growling, it's obvious now that he's scared of the older dog. I love my older dog to death, and I've grown to love the new dog as well.
Do you think the fact that both are intact could be causing the fights? Will having the new dog neutered now fix things or is it too late? I'm even willing to get both dogs fixed. Please give any thoughts you have about this subject. Thank you and God bless
I have had two dogs for the past 8 years (they're both 8 yrs old and have been practically raised together since birth). About two months ago, an abandoned dog showed up at my house and I couldn't help but take him in...he's a good little dog, I'm not quite sure of his age, but I'm guessing he's around 1-2 years old. So I have,
Dog #1- Jack Russell, 8 yrs old, was neutered at young age, seemed to be top dog, the feisty one of my dogs.
Dog #2- Mixed breed dog that I rescued, 8 years old, he's always been the more timid dog, he rough plays with dog #1 but they've never fought. I never had him neutered, so he's still intact.
Dog #3- The new dog, he's playful, but not mean. I haven't had him neutered yet, but I have an appointment.
Here's the problem, dog number #2 and dog #3 are fighting as of late. It started with dog #3 growling at the food bowl, and I chalked it up to his being new. I don't know where he came from or how he'd been treated, but dog #2 usually backed away from the bowl when the growling started. However, for the past week, dog #2 has started to fight dog #3 whenever he starts to growl. It's as if dog #2 finally had enough of the growling and now he's not taking it anymore. The fights are quite intense but no dog has been hurt...yet. I have been feeding them separately and spraying them in the face with a water bottle whenever they begin to growl or tense up for a fight. It's really stressful though, because both dogs are great aside from this. And, even though the new dog starts the growling, it's obvious now that he's scared of the older dog. I love my older dog to death, and I've grown to love the new dog as well.
Do you think the fact that both are intact could be causing the fights? Will having the new dog neutered now fix things or is it too late? I'm even willing to get both dogs fixed. Please give any thoughts you have about this subject. Thank you and God bless