Dog fights

[jayne2269]

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I have 2 dogs and recently took on a 3rd. A 10 year old staffy. She is amazing with everything, kids, dogs etc. Yesterday she had a fight with my other dog. My other dog doesn't like to share and they both went for the same bit of food, he snapped at her and she went nuts, latched onto him and wouldn't let go of him for a few seconds. Was she just doing what any dog would do? She is not aggressive at all and is not possessive with food. She's only been here since Thursday so are they just working out their pick position? Any advice would be great fully received

 

[gypsysmum2]

It is normal for dogs to sort out their pecking order when they first live together. I think she was a bit extreme in her reaction but perhaps she had tried to warn your other dog that she considered the food "hers" and he had ignored her or tried his luck at keeping it? Dogs usually will give way to bitches and that altercation may be the end of things. Do you have another bitch in the house? Bitches can be very territorial and if they fall out with each other it can be quite serious.

You should respect any pecking order that develops between your dogs even if it does appear that the resident dogs are losing out in the pecking order. It is thought that dogs, unlike people, quite like being low down in the pecking order as it involves less stress than being top dog

As food can be a highly valued resource I would feed your dogs separately. Every dog needs to feel relaxed when it is eating, and having another bossy dog around is not good for the digestion!

Do you know the reasons for your new dog needing a home? Is it possible there is some history of this behaviour?

 

[jayne2269]

Yes I have another bitch, they get on fine. I know her history very well and she has never had any problems with regards to dogs or humans. She just hates cats

 

[gypsysmum2]

You may need to just monitor how your new dog and existing dogs cope with living together. I would not leave them alone together until you are sure it is all peace and harmony over things like beds and toys etc. Some dogs need more personal space than others.

 

[jayne2269]

I don't leave them alone together, there were no issues yesterday so fingers crossed that will be an end to it. They are sleeping in separate rooms and also kept separate when I'm out. When I'm here they are getting on ok. Will just have to see how it goes. She's such a lovely dog, hopefully my make now knows she's boss. Thank you for your advice

 

[gypsysmum2]

Yes, you are probably right. Well done for looking at the bigger picture and letting them settle into their natural roles.

 

[jayne2269]

Things have been going great, no issues at all

 

[Craig Gibson]

Hi there just seen your problem. I have was in a similar predicament the other day when my young lurcher went to eat my South African mastiff and he turned on her and as he was on top of her my other lurcher came out and got stuck into him. It was a nightmare as I pulled one off there was another going in for it. I find dogs as they are in the wild very protective of there food. As if a dog lets another dog eat its food it is showing a weakness and the other is gaining dominance. And if you have two dogs that want to be dominant then you have a bit of a situation. The main thing is tonnage sure they know you are the dominant one

 

[jayne2269]

Thank you for your reply. I haven't had an issue since I feed them separately and when my children are eating at the table I also keep them separate to stop them from getting any bits that drop on he floor They get on absolutely fine now thank goodness

 

[gypsysmum2]

Sorry but can't let the "dominance" word go unchallenged.

Yes dogs have a pecking order among themselves but it does not extend to humans. Dogs in the wild live in a cooperative way. They hunt together and weaker dogs will happily defer to the stronger hunter in order to ensure survival. Dogs would rather be down the pecking order as life is easier there. When we keep them in close proximity to each other then problems can occur. They would normally take food off to a quiet place and eat it well away from others. We, by keeping them in close proximity with each other, prevent this natural behaviour and so problems can occur. Jayne has already discovered the solution to her problems by reading her dogs well.

There is absolutely no need to dominate your dog. He or she will happily let you go to work and pay the rent and eat all the food you want All they ask for is a nice place to sleep and a meal each day.

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If you are interested in learning more then take a look at "Dominance, Fact or Fiction" by Barry Eaton.