People are often genuinely surprised that their family dogs have started showing aggression towards each other or fighting.
But the reality is that while these kinds of issues can seem to come up suddenly, they are almost always shaping up in the background over time.
It’s super important to consistently monitor interactions between household dogs. This is where you will see the things that end up in fights and identifying them early can give you the best chance to stop it in its tracks.
Here are some classic signs to watch out for:
1. If one dog is consistently engaging in pushy behaviours, for example:
Rushing in and pushing a dog out of the way who is receiving attention from you or engaging with you.
Taking over a dog bed or crate that another dog is already using.
Constantly demanding attention, affection, or play from you and sidelining other dogs.
2. If one dog is clearly bullying the other(s), for example:
Dogs are actively avoiding the pushy dog
Dogs are looking for safe places to hide or from which they can keep an eye out (eg hiding behind or under furniture or refusing to come inside when the other dog is inside)
3. All or some of the dogs are quick to over arousal or excitement:
Excitement can tip over into aggression in a split second if a dog is triggered in that moment.
This can often look like dogs ending up in a scuffle when visitors arrive because they struggle to self-regulate and end up turning on each other in frustration.
4. Tension over resources:
Stiff body language, growls, or snapping over food, toys, a doorway, a human bed, or even a human family member.
If you are seeing these kinds of behaviours, NOW is the time to do something about it.
Don’t risk the aggression escalating. Reintegration protocols after serious fights or attacks between household dogs are much harder on both the humans and the dogs than the changes you could make right now to prevent it.
It can also lead to family members getting seriously hurt trying to break up a fight, or because a dog redirects onto them out of frustration and hyper arousal.
Changes in dynamics between dogs can occur at any time and can be triggered or exacerbated by any number of factors, including things like moving house, new environments, the new puppy is turning into an adolescent and the older dogs are no longer tolerant of inappropriate behaviours, or one dog is feeling uncertain or unwell, just to name a few.
Regardless, it’s up to you to show all the household dogs what is and isn’t acceptable, to show the pushy dogs that aggression will be met with consequences, and to show the bullied or worried dogs that you will advocate for them.
It’s your job to create and maintain harmony though providing the structure and rules that will make ALL your dogs feel safe and secure.
Don’t hesitate to get help from a trainer if you need it.
Comments