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Originally Posted by Teresiana  I haven't updated my post because I've been trying to really observe the 2 to make sure that I have accurate information about their behavior. Now I'm not too sure...
After spending a day or so pretty much doing nothing but watching them, I think that Yoshi DOES care. He seems annoyed by Momo & he snaps at her more often then I thought. He doesn't bark. But he does growl. A lot.. |
I begin correcting at the first growl. Just an 'Ah, ah' now, but at first I got between them for a visual block or a physical separation if needed. When they appear to be calm, I let them continue to interact. This is not a time out where one gets put in a room or crate, it happens right where the growls started, I just intervene.
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Originally Posted by Teresiana He growls when I give her any kind of attention & then he'll proceed to start biting her...not full on, hard hurtful biting, but he's definitelty biting. Momo does go up the stairs before him & walks ahead during walks. But I'm thinking it's because she's just faster & she has a different walk. Yoshi trots. Momo walks. . |
I'd give him more attention. When you first walk in the door, I would greet Momo, then look at Yoshi and make eye contact and greet him also, in the same breath.
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Originally Posted by Teresiana I'm also trying to figure out when the playing turns into fighting. When they're rolling around together & playing, Yoshi will eventually start to growl and show his teeth. But Momo looks like she's still in play mode. When the growling starts, I pull them apart & separate them. Then Yoshi will look at Momo throught the baby gate & start to whine like he wants to be with her.. |
At the first growl, "Ah, ah!'. If he continues, or shows his teeth in a threatening manner, I would stand up and sternly say 'No, play nice'. If he continues, then I'd visually block him from her until he calms down. After 10-30 seconds, he should remain calm and resume playing. If not, a longer separation may be needed, and/or redirect both to chew on toys.
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Originally Posted by Teresiana Since Yoshi is the senior dog, when they fight over a toy, I clap my hands & say "STOP!". Then I always give they toy to Yoshi & replace Momo's toy with a similar toy. They have 2 of everything. That's just an example. I don't know if this is the correct thing to do, but I've been trying to reinforce the idea that Momo should respect Yoshi.. |
I use Hide a Squirrel, with 6 identical squirrels. Give it to Momo first but have an identical toy to give Yoshi right after. Okay to switch every now and then... keep them guessing. Or make them do a trick to earn the toy. Gets their mind off fighting, and to focus on you.
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Originally Posted by Teresiana I don't want to change how I treat them & react to the fighting differently until I'm sure about what's going on. I don't want them to get confused if I have to change my method. I'm going to try to shoot a video of them so that I can show my vet...and post it here. It's just hard catching them "in the moment".. |
Change can be good... if doing something differently produces undesirable results, just change again.
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Originally Posted by Teresiana In the meantime, I started reading Dog Sense by John Bradshaw. Wow. He's hard core. I'm not sure if I agree with everything I've read so far, but it's a VERY interesting read. I haven't gotten far enough in the book to read anything about his views about relationships in a multi-dog household. If he does touch upon the subject in the book, I'm not sure if I'll agree with his opinions. . |
I can't comment on this... other than seeking info is a good thing...
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Originally Posted by Teresiana I'm also going to speak with my vet to see if he can refer me to a behaviorist. This isn't a MAJOR problem yet, but I'm just afraid that it might turn into something more serious if I don't address it now. Plus, I'm adding another pup to our household in May or June. I want these 2 to get along nicely before the new pup arrives. |
Decide what you want. Will you accept them tolerating each other, or are you seeking a closer relationship between them? My goal was that no one ended up at the vet's due to injury, lol. If I see mine sharing a bed, it may look all cuddly and snuggly to an outsider, but I know that one is trying to steal the bed from the other.
I wouldn't say mine love each other, Peek and Sapphire, who are both the same size and color, appear to have some kind of a special bond between them.
Tink and Finny are a bit wilder and also more similar in size. When I first got Finny, a Biewer, Tink treated her like a big toy. I caught Tink dragging Finny across the living room rug by her ear! Finny went limp, and no injury was inflicted. I wanted interaction between them, so I would stop Tink and tell her, gently, 'No, no, Finny is not a toy, she is a doggy. Play nice.' Then I'd give both toys to redirect them. Tink stopped doing this after about 4-5 times over 2-3 months.
Tink and Peek (my senior) barely tolerate each other, but they both know I will not put up with any serious aggression from either, and that I will protect them both. I do watch those two closer, as arguments are more likely to occur between them, even now.
I could go on, but I will spare you, lol. I have spent a lot of time watching their interactions, correcting anything I don't want to see, nurturing egos, and building their self esteem (all came from different environments and have had more than one home). It is a lot of work, but I want the best for all of them. I try to make each one feel special to me, and each one is special, in their own way.
I wish you luck with the vet and the behaviorist. Keep updating...
