How do I get my dogs to stop being jerks?

[XemaSab]

The new dog, who we have decided to call Maddy, chews a LOT. She's a puppy, and she's tried the chair, the rug, the pillows... everything. I have been trying to keep her supplied with toys and chew things, but the dogs are all hating on each other now!

A few minutes ago Maddy was sitting on the couch with a chew toy. Pippi walked into the living room and Maddy totally gave her the stink eye and growled at her.

Yesterday we gave all three dogs chew bones. Maddy and Bailey ate theirs up fast, but Pippi just sat on the couch and guarded hers. 20 minutes later it was time for dinner, so Pippi abandoned her watch and left her bone on the couch. Bailey finished his dinner earlier than Pip did, so he went right to the couch and started gnawing on the chew bone that had originally been Pip's. Pippi came back in and totally tried to get her bone back. A big fight ensued that left Pippi bleeding superficially from a few spots.

Also yesterday Maddy got too close to Bailey when he was chewing on something, and he totally beat her into the corner. She submitted quickly, which was good for her, 'cause Bailey is five times bigger than she is.

I don't want Maddy to chew up the house, but I want all three dogs to get along. :shrug:

[Critters2]

1. To keep Maddie from chewing things she shouldn't, get Bitter Apple.

The beagle will leave anything alone if sprayed with Bitter Apple. Chewing isn't a problem anymore, but when it was Bitter Apple was a lifesaver! Most pet supply places have it.

[XemaSab]

2. We already have some

to keep Bailey from chewing on Pippi. :eyes:

[mopinko]

3. sounds like my house. incorporating a new dog.

i have a boxer, and 2 rat terrier sisters. my daughter moved back home and brought her wire haired terrier type mutt. he is the chewer at 1 1/2 yrs. one of the rats is having trouble resisting her allergic skin. she needs to chew, too.
dog fights usually sound a whole lot worse than they are. after about a month of snapping and growling, they are mostly friendly about it all. they just had to work out the hierarchy, and now it is good natured, normal jostling. i just try to keep enough things in circulation that they feel like there is plenty.

[flvegan]

4. Good advice.

Gotta establish each place in the pack.

[Lady Freedom]

5. kick

:kick:

[Regret My New Name]

16. hmmm, I wonder...

[Blarch]

6. 3 dogs make a pack.

I had two for years, but when I brought the third home it changed everything. Eventually they worked it all out.

As long as the weaker dog knows to submit, it will all end in a few weeks.

Now Ringo rules the roost.

[El Supremo]

7. Are they Terriers?

Most Terriers when of the same sex don't get along with each other.

[XemaSab]

8. Nah, mutts

Maddy is maybe a shepherd mix, Pippi is probably mostly cattle dog, and Bailey is a springer/golden retriever.

[wartrace]

9. Let them fight, they will work it all out.

I had three pups grow up together & the Dad dog who STILL insists he is the "alpha" male despite his advanced years (14-15 y/o?). The pups are all now five years old, they have worked out the pack order on their own with no deaths or serious injuries. They usually bite each other on the ears which do bleed heavily but do not cause serious injury. If it gets to a life/death fight just spray them in the face with water. All I have to do is hold up a spray bottle & the fight is over.

[MadMaddie]

10. They will work it out

I have a Maddie and she is totally Alpha over my Max. Well actually Max doesn't give a shit about anything....I swear he has a stash somewhere he is so laid back....anyhoo...

Exercise, Exercise, Exercise.....We have our Maddie and Max out and running and walking a lot.

My suggestion is to get the 3 of them out and tire them down to the bone.


All of you will be fine....it takes a little time.

[merh]

11. You have to become the alpha -

yes, the 3 will work it out, but you will always have issues if you don't let them know you are the pack leader, you are the alpha.

There are several ways to establish yourself as the alpha.

I did it by holding my dogs down until they couldn't move. (this has to be done individually) They struggle and try to get away or get up, but I hold them until they submit, letting them know that they are okay, telling them to just relax and take it easy. Once the dog gives in and stops struggling, I then tell him/her what a good dog it is and then I pet and love the dog. (The holding down does not hurt the dog.) Postive reinforcement is the only way to train a dog.

You need to get this book. How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend: The Classic Training Manual for Dog Owners

[EFerrari]

12. And that's the right answer! They look to you for their cue, not each other.

:applause:

Happy TG Day, merh!

:hug:

[merh]

13. Hello there sfexpat - it's good to see you.

:hi: and Happy TG to you :hug: :loveya:

I hope you had a wonderful day and that life is treating you good.

I have a tone and a look that I use that enforces the alpha - I also love them as if they were my children. It works for us.

:pals:

[EFerrari]

14. It really is in the attitude, tone. look -- and repetition.

They get it -- they want to get it. They want to know the rulz!

Of course, I'll never have that problem because Kid is still sweeping the sidewalks, dropping down and submitting to any dog she smells within a four block radius. She came pre-programmed to know she was NOT the Momma.

lol

:hi:

[merh]

20. Tone for discipline, loving tone for good behavior.

Pavlov wasn't too far off the mark. ;)

:hi:

[mopinko]

17. food

one important part of being the alpha is that alpha eats first. my dogs do not eat until i have my dinner. and then we have a regular little drill that we do. i say food, and they line up and sit. they sit while i dish out the food, and wait until i say ok. i own the food.
they also all know not to go through a door before me. when i let them out, i open the door, and they wait to be told that they can go.
little stuff, but big to them.

i love my dogs, because they like having a strong leader. not like the people i know.

[merh]

19. My dogs' eating rituals are similar, they don't get table scraps

and cannot beg while I am eating. They will normally be laying at my feet while I eat. Since we lived in that fema trailer for so long, they are accustomed to being at my feet, the yorkie has to be touching my feet most of the time.

Two of mine sit and wait while I prepare their food, the third waits in my office until I call her. They have place mats of sorts (smaller boot trays with short lips - that keeps the floor clean if they get messy and a pug is a messy eater). I put down their place mats at their individual spots and then put down the bowls, calling their names so they can begin to eat. They never invade each other's space or fight over food. Even if one doesn't finish what is in their bowl, the others don't go near it.

[mopinko]

21. yours are good. i am lazy, and rely on their cages at mealtime.

i should lay it all out, and let them eat one by one. but i just put them in their crates to eat. anyone with leftovers has to defend them. i pick it up soon after they go out and come back in.

my dogs do not hang around the table, tho. i never, ever feed them from the table, although my daughter thinks its hilarious when she visits. i have to tried to come up with something equivalent when i go to her house, but her dog is completely spoiled.

[Danger Mouse]

15. Use wolf pee to 'become one with them.' Prowl in the woods.

Howl at the moon. Chase your tail. Knock over garbage cans. Show them your wild side.
Then they will respect and fear you.

[undeterred]

18. Tell them they're going to Ann Coulter's house

if they don't shape up.

Sorry, I've never had more than one dog so I don't know what to advise. And the dogs I've had have been fairly submissive so they haven't had problems when staying with someone else.

[old mark]

22. Well, it will take a little time till they work out where they stand in the

chain of command, but YOU must establish that you are the boss.
Be firm in your tone of voice, don't be mean, just act like you mean what you say and they will get the idea.
The young ones need a little time to grow up, but they will come around.

Dogs need order and consistancy and get nervous if there is a lot of change.

Also, remember they are DOGS and will steal other's food etc whenever they can - they don't do sharing well.

mark