My Dog Attacks my other dog all the time

[Guest Anonymous]

I have a little Jack Russell Terrier that is just a terror sometimes. Whenever someone comes to the door, she nips and bites at my other dog. Whenever I pet the other dog, or the other dog gets up on the couch with me, she stands about 2 inches away from the other dog and circles her, biting and nipping now and then. The worst thing is whenever I play around with my other dog, the Jack Russell gets mad at attacks my other dog, starting a fight. My other dog doesn't fight back, she just growls back. She usually just tries to run and hide because this little jack russell that thinks she's a rottweiler has a hold of her ear and is shaking back and forth vigoriously with it in her mouth. Many times she's made my other dogs ears bleed she bites so hard. It's not playing, because it's loud when they fight.

[Aroura]

All that is happening is that your little Jack Russle is saying "im dominant, so pat me first, let me eat first, the chair is mine and don't try to tell me otherwise!!!"
Nearly all dogs do it to some extent, your Jack Russle just seems to be a little harsh on your other dog. I know it may be tempting to pick up your other dog and tell your Jack Russle to behave, but all the Jack Russle is doing is re-enforcing the pack order and if you do that the dogs are both likely to get confused and the problem gets worse.
The best thing to do in your situation is to always pat, feed etc the more dominant dog first. If it is a problem on the couch, maybe it shouldn't be on the couch at all, otherwise you could always buy your other dog a couch of its own. Once the dogs have established their order in the pack and know where they belong and what their limits are the problem shouldn't be so bad
Hope this helps,
Luv Jeanne

[Guest Anonymous]

I would not tolerate that behavior at all. If it was my dog, I would strongly discipline him for that type of behavior towards your other dog. What do you do when he does that? Your post doesn't say. Dogs view things as black or white...good or bad...right or wrong. I would not give in to his demands and show him attention first or allow him to interfere with you and the other dog. Its not like he is just trying to wriggle in between the two of you...he is attacking your other dog. The more he does it and gets away with it, he will think that it is acceptable. Not only won't he stop but the attacks can get much worse.

I would set up training exercises whereby your aggressive dog is made to lie on the floor for 15 minutes straight while you and the other dog are playing around on the couch. When he accomplishes that, reward him with affection and his own time with you.

It does require a lot of patience on your part but it would be worth it. Good luck.

[Guest Anonymous]

:( I know the exasperatio that you can experience. We have 6 inside
dogs and 5 outside. Some have problems getting along, so are kept
apart. I do have one female Husky who got in fights with two males who
gave her place in the pecking order. She can't be trusted in close quarters
with the other dogs, expecially another female. We have tried all methods
but that is her way and we work around it. She even marks territory by
lifting her leg like a male when being walked! The abuse she encountered
was horrendous, the control officer dug her out from underneath a purch
that had collapsed on her where she was hiding during 90+ heat.
There had been no food or water for at least 2-3 days. She has scar
marks on her muzzle. Kids can approach her and play, but males put
her in wary mode. Princess if she gets loose in the yard will not go after
any of the other ones but tied up she gets extremely territorial, not
preferring to be inside the house. It takes time and patience and some
compensation for some cases, depends on what you are willing to invest
and what your individual situation is.

[Guest Anonymous]

My dogs are both female, so maybe that is a problem as well. But when the JRT bites my other dog I yell at her. Sometimes we seperate them. I watched a special on jealousy and it said alot of what you all are saying as well. We hold the JRT when I pet my dog. But when my dog goes off and is no longer getting attention and we let go of the JRT, she runs over and attacks my dog. When there are kids in the house and the kids are running up and down the hall way or playing rough, the JRT attacks my other dog as well. It's really nerve racking.. that's why i was considering a Mussell

[Guest Anonymous]

faiyth napisał(a):

My dogs are both female, so maybe that is a problem as well. But when the JRT bites my other dog I yell at her. Sometimes we seperate them. I watched a special on jealousy and it said alot of what you all are saying as well. We hold the JRT when I pet my dog. But when my dog goes off and is no longer getting attention and we let go of the JRT, she runs over and attacks my dog. When there are kids in the house and the kids are running up and down the hall way or playing rough, the JRT attacks my other dog as well. It's really nerve racking.. that's why i was considering a Mussell

A muzzle will not cure your problem and if the JRT is still young this could well escallate as she matures. Seek help from an in person behaviorist/trainer before things go any further. I suggest asking your vet for a referral to a behaviorist for really good help on this.