My husband and I have two dogs. We adopted Rocky, a pit bull mix, last September, and he’s now a little over a year old. He quickly became our “child,” sleeping in our bed, having many toys, and receiving our undivided attention. We later found out he was the only one of his litter at the adoption center because he was very aggressive towards the other puppies. Although he has a tendency to badger and dominate other dogs, it’s not outright anger. We’ve dog-sat a few different dogs, and while he played rough, there were no incidents.
Then we adopted Adrian, who is now about 8 months old, and we’ve had her for two months. When we first brought her home, we were still settling into our new house. One night, Rocky lashed out at Adrian and bloodied her nose. Following advice from my cousin, we stopped letting Rocky sleep with us and worked hard to help them get to know each other.
Fast forward to today, and Rocky lashed out at Adrian again, seemingly without reason. I disciplined him and kenneled him to cool down. Just a few minutes ago, he snapped at her again when she approached while he was sitting next to me on the couch. It seems he might be jealous because I’ve been trying to be more affectionate towards Adrian.
Any advice would help. I’m considering taking them to a training class, but my husband would prefer we try to resolve it at home before spending money on professional training.
It sounds like you’re dealing with a challenging situation with Rocky and Adrian. Dog aggression within the same household can be stressful for everyone involved, but there are strategies you can try at home to manage and improve their relationship.
Here are some steps you can take to address the aggression between your dogs:
Create a Safe Environment: Ensure that both dogs have their own safe spaces where they can retreat and relax without the presence of the other dog. This can help reduce tension and give them a sense of security.
Manage Resources: Sometimes aggression can stem from competition over resources. Make sure each dog has their own toys, beds, and feeding areas to minimize conflict.
Identify Triggers: Pay close attention to the situations that lead to aggressive behavior. It could be related to food, toys, attention, or even certain areas of the house. Once you identify these triggers, you can work on managing them more effectively.
Positive Reinforcement: Reward calm and non-aggressive behavior with treats and praise. This can help reinforce good behavior and show Rocky that he doesn’t need to compete for your affection.
Desensitization and Counterconditioning: Gradually expose Rocky to the situations that trigger his aggression while keeping him below his threshold for reacting. Pair these exposures with positive experiences to change his emotional response over time.
Obedience Training: Work on basic commands with both dogs separately and then together. This can help establish your role as the leader and teach them to focus on you instead of competing with each other.
Exercise and Mental Stimulation: Ensure both dogs get plenty of physical exercise and mental stimulation. A tired dog is often a well-behaved dog, and this can also help reduce overall stress levels.
Consult a Professional: If the aggression persists or escalates, it’s important to consult a professional dog trainer or behaviorist who can provide personalized guidance and support.
Remember, it’s crucial to keep both dogs and humans safe, so never leave them unsupervised together if there’s a risk of aggression. It may take time and patience, but with consistent effort, you can work towards a more peaceful coexistence between Rocky and Adrian. If you decide to seek professional help, look for a trainer who uses positive reinforcement methods, as these are generally the most effective and humane.
Start walking the dogs apart so they may see one another but aren’t overly startled by one another’s presence. Give the dogs goodies just for hanging together if they are not acting unfavorably.