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zips_go's avatar

Two Puppies don't get along alone?

Asked by zips_go (8points) November 26th, 2009

I have two puppies, one is a male mini dachshund a little over 8 months and a female “toy” australian shepherd that’s a little over 4 months. they get along great when i’m around. they play together, sometimes a little rough but nothing to worry about. they like to bite and and pin one another but they don’t show any signs of aggression when playing. they often do the initiate play bow.

recently however when they go to sleep or when i’m going to be gone longer then they can hold it i put them in their pin(a 36×36 elevated enclosed play pen) they have been getting into fights. as soon as i close the door to leave (or sleep) i can hear her growling and snapping at him and he starts crying. But as soon as I open the door they act as if nothing happened. I set up a camera just to make sure and she attacks him, backing him in a corner and snaps at him with her hackles up or she jumps on him and bats him in the eyes with her front paws while trying to bite his neck. It looks nothing like when they’re playing. He is submissive and all he does is cry.

They have been separated when they sleep now. I’ve never had this problem before. They have been living together since she was 9wks. I initially gave them separate living areas, toys, food bowls, etc. but they would only eat when they were together and they would interchange between one another’s dog bowls and would cry for one another at night.

now that i’ve separated them in two different pins across from one another she cries for him again and he refuses to even look in her direction and cries for me. And their barking and whining has been getting very loud. what should i do?

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8 Answers

chyna's avatar

I would take them to an obedience class. This is a good age to resolve their issues.

syz's avatar

One puppy is in the process of establishing dominance over the other. The best result would be that they get it worked out and settle into their respective roles. The worst result would be escalating aggression that results in injury.

Look for a reputable training facility in your area and sign them both up for a puppy class. The class will help you learn to interpret their behavior and give you an opportunity to establish yourself as ‘alpha’ dog. You’ll be able to set some ground rules as far as behavior and commands, and if they continue to have a problem, you’ll have a resource available to you (the training facility) for help.

Judi's avatar

I would make sure they have separate “dens” to sleep in. When you are there YOU are the alpha. When you are not there she want to make sure he knows who’s boss.

Buttonstc's avatar

Can you put their separate pens in different rooms?

Hopefully this will cut down on the crying and whining if they can’t see (or hear?) each other.

But definitely look into training so they don’t injure each other seriously.

zips_go's avatar

No, unfortunately i can’t separate them in two different rooms. I thought that she may be trying to to establish herself and test her rank now that she’s reaching sexual maturity. She won’t be spayed until next month. But she doesn’t seem to be trying to dominate him based on what i’ve seen because stop even if he does submit.

when i’m there they both behave fine. They obey commands attentively and she kisses all over him which is why i was puzzled. i will look into in home trainer to see if i can get some results. they are both a little too aloof for group classes right now

Buttonstc's avatar

Cesar is currently the “flavor of the month” but he can be rather harsh in his methodology sometimes.

I prefer the tried and true, Brian Kilcommons. No disrepect to those with a preference for Cesar.

www.mysmartpuppy.com

He just has a consistently gentle and positive approach which just appeals to me more.

YCLYHO's avatar

i think if you could give them a larger area to share, they would behave much better, is this possible for you to do?

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