My sister has two dogs, a boy (Bailey) and a girl (Bella), who are littermates and have never been separated. My parents recently bought a German shepherd mix that we thought could be their brother since they look so much alike. But our dog (Rocky) has been showing dominance to Bailey (growling and sometimes fighting), and now Bailey's so terrified that he won't come out of his crate and growls at Rocky even when he's a few feet away from his crate. What can I do to get bailey out of his crate when rocky is around and stop them from fighting?
bluebonnetgranny
06-17-2007, 05:18 PM
Up until just recently I have always had more dogs than is allowable to Animal Control. So fighting is a major thing in that many dogs vying for dominance.
Myself be Alpha I hit the door with a piece of garden hose in my hand & who ever is on top gets it. They will work it out but you have to stop the aggression as soon as you see or hear it. You are Alpha & you control your pack. You don't allow fight Or growling. You simply don't allow it. Period. Stop it before it gets started.
The corrections you give the most dominate one is not the same correction you would give the submissive one. The stronger the temperament the stiffer the correction. A dog that big needs to drop his attitude. And stiff, strong, hard corrections may be necessay. A large breed has to have strong corrections.
An open hand slap on top of the muzzle is a good correction for anything to do with his mouth. Snarling, growling, fighting. You may have to use a piece of garden hose (no sticks) as a correctional tool instead of your hand. If your hand is enough, great but if that does not fase him you may have to use a tool (garden hose about 18 in. long) or your fist. But don't try to break his face but use enough force you GET him attention.