Kingdom of Pets

Posted by starensco
Jul 16, 2008

I recently purchased the SitStayFetch program and I am happy with the product and the helpful, pratical advice for making me a better owner and my dogs more pleasant to be around. However, I think I need a bit more advice. We have a 9 year old Olde English Bulldogge, Rufus, that is very mild manner. Last October we added another member to our household, Lola. Lola is an 11 month old Victorian Bulldog.
When we brought her home we were not prepared for the upheavel one more dog would add to our, as of then, pretty tranquil home. Lola is constantly attacking the cat (although I'm beginning to think the cat likes it and it is some sort of game) and has recently started fights with Rufus. I have read the philosophy of being the Alph Dog and I have been implementing the strategies listed. Lola has gone through basic obedience and we have mastered Sit, Stay, Down, Come and walking on the leash in the heal position. She is a very smart dog but she is having serious personality clashes with Rufus. Rufus is also a female, by the way.
At first it was only in the kitchen so I was working on making her sit calmly before she got her food and I have been giving her the food before Rufus as she is exhibiting signs of being higher in the hierarchy than Rufus. Rufus does not seem to be concerned with any of this except when Lola is attacking her. They often play and wrestle with each other but in the kitchen it is an all out brawl that alarms me as the only thing that gets them separated is pouring water on them. We have a 6 year old daughter that I do not want to be caught in the middle of this fight. Tonight Lola instigated a fight with Rufus in the living room there was no blood drawn
but there were yelps of pain.
Any advice on how we can work past this would be wonderful.

Thank you, Stacie

Posted by MaxHollyNoah
Jul 16, 2008

Hi Stacie!

There might be people who don't agree with me but let me tell you what I would do. I have been adding and fostering new (young) dogs to our family and I always make sure our old dogs get everything first; seniority works here no matter how the added young dogs show dominant personality. I have been very successful with that. The idea behind is that I added/fostered dogs hoping it will be beneficial to our existing dogs as well. I don't want new dogs to be a threat or trouble to them, especially when they are younger and more aggressive than the old ones. As long as YOU ARE the leader and YOU can control the new dog, you should be able to sort them out but it is important that new dogs learn the rules from the very beginning.

Someone else might give you more thoughts but attached is my posting sometime ago if you are interested.

[url]http://www.kingdomofpets.com/dog/forum/dog-behavior-problems/352-big-dog-little-dog-whos-dominant-one.html#post987[/url]

Good luck!!

Posted by shrapnel68
Aug 8, 2008

Stacie,

My wife and I have a2 year old English Bulldog as well as a Pug. We had similar problems at feeding time with the Bullie attacking the Pug while she was eating. One thing that worked for us is seperating them when they eat. We feed the Bullie first and then make her sit and watch the Pug eat. If the bullie makes any attempt to go after the Pug, we spray her with a water bottle and tell her "wrong". It works about 95% of the time. It takes patience, but in the long run, she knows that she is the alpha dog. but of course I am the pack leader. I hope this helps.

Kurt

2nd dog aggression