The Considerate Canine: Inter-Dog Aggression

The Problem:

We have three adult corgis in our household. Harley will be 10 at the end of November (male), Tessa is 5 and Mr. Bean is about 2 (give or take a little - he is a rescue). It's an adventure keeping the two older ones from being aggressive towards Bean. Bean is NOT aggressive at all. He is very laid-back and non-threatening. They typically do pretty well, as long as there is no food involved. Harley tends to snarl at Bean if he gets too close, that type of thing. They are especially possessive of my husband.

Tessa has always been a little "flippy" - meaning that she can get pissed off very fast and takes things very personally. She HATES anything with a motor - be it the vacuum, the weedeater, the tractor, etc. She has killed several vacuums, destroyed the bumpers on the lawn tractor, bit thru the body on our moped, and almost punctured a tire on a BIG farm tractor. You cannot stop her, and if she is inside out of harms way, then she will try to rip the door off the hinges to get out. SO, transfer that aggression to Bean when he accidentally touches her wrong, and we have a serious problem. Bean ran into her last week when they were playing soccer - totally by accident - and she flipped out. It took all we had to get her off of him. I was sitting on her, holding her by her collar and around her body, and she was still trying to shake me off to go after him again. Bean tried to get away from her, rolled over on his back, did not fight her at all, and she would NOT let go of him. I really believe that if we had not been there, she would have killed him.

He had two punture wounds and his shoulder is still a little sore, but he is ok and doesn't seem to be fearful of her at all. We kept them completely separated for a couple of days and then let them get together outside again. They have been walking together, etc. and are good. Inside, they are OK (not good, but ok). We never leave them alone together (and actually never have). BUT, it's very scary because we don't know when it will happen again, and what if we're not right there....

When not acting like a crazed lunatic, Tessa is actually very well mannered and well behaved. All the dogs sleep in crates, Bean & Tessa also eat in crates. There is always a hierarchy with treats, etc. Harley first, Tessa second and Bean third. We try to establish the chain of command, if you will, but these random acts of violence just blow us away. We really don't know what to do.

Sorry for writing the book, but we're looking for some help. I appreciate your time and passing this along.

Thanks, Karen Quinn

The Solution:

Karen,

After reading your email my immediate response: talk to your veterinarian to make sure that Tessa doesn’t have any physical problems that could contribute to her behavior. Secondly, contact a positive trainer to work directly with your family and dogs.

It is our hope to offer people good, sound advice in this training series, but your issues are way beyond the scope of an email and response.

You have a very complex series of issues happening at the same time: resource guarding, dog to dog aggression with an injury, and Tessa’s overall reactivity. Each one of these problems is serious when taken alone, but combined are even more difficult.

Management is vital, not only at meal time. It is great that you feed Tessa and Bean in crates but be aware of anything that may be or could become a resource, including your husband. Some dogs will guard anything: a piece of paper, a place in the grass, a water bowl, a stick; it doesn’t necessarily have to be something that we would think of as valuable.

Management should also extend to the dogs movements through the house, especially in doorways or other tight spaces.

Limit the dogs interactions unless directly supervised by you and/or your husband. In fact, from your email, I would have Tessa play without Bean, to avoid a repeat of the incident. Be very aware of their arousal level when playing and interrupt before anyone gets over stimulated. As you’ve already seen, it doesn’t take much to push Tessa into a situation where she can’t cope. Err on the side of caution, not only is Bean at risk but so are the humans that have to intervene if a fight starts.

Teach all of the dogs to relax. Not only is it good for them, but allows a dog like Tessa to have time to think and make good choices.

Work on teaching self control games and basic skills such as leave it and come when called.

Tessa really needs help learning to cope with stressful things in her life, like vacuum cleaners and tires. It must be extremely stressful to live in a world filled with frightening things that she feels compelled to control.

Again, please seek direct help from a positive trainer to help your dogs learn to live in peace and safety.

Best,

Cindy Carter, CPDT-KA Mindful Manners Dog Training
843-906-9997
www.mindfulmanners.net