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Canine Behavior/growling sisters

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Expert: - 1/28/2008


Question
We adopted two 9 wk old Shih Tzu’s. They are 8 months old. About 2 months ago, they have started growling and biting each other.They don't do this with humans. After they fight, or we pull them apart, they seem better and fall asleep together. We separate them, hold them firmly around the back oh the neck and say NO!!!  They don't listen. This happens about 2-3 times a day and sometimes not at all. They are very sweet and precious. They do play well together and like to be near each other. They are not fixed yet.
Thank you in advance for your help.


Answer
I've seen many litter mates of the same sex in one household who develop an aggression problem toward one another.  This is always the result of temperament being very equal and requires you to be instructed on how to determine which dog is really top ranking, how to interact with your dogs based upon that observation, and how to de-escalate what will soon become a serious dog to dog aggression problem.  You need to contact a credentialed behavior expert (NOT a dog trainer with make believe credentials from some dog training group.)  To do this, you might want to call a veterinary college within a reasonable driving distance and they might be able to provide you with a name, or names, of people who understand how to determine rank, teach you how to observe body signals, and teach you how to rehabilitate these dogs' relationship with one another.  It simply can't be done in this venue.

Canine Behavior

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Jill Connor, Ph.D.

Expertise

I have spent my entire professional life rehabilitating the behavior of the domestic dog and I can answer any question regarding any behavior problem in any breed dog. If you are a caring, committed owner and need advice, I'm here for you. THERE ARE NO QUICK FIXES for serious behavioral issues; not only is it unprofessional to offer same, it is also unethical. IF I ASK YOU SUBSEQUENT QUESTIONS, I NEED YOU TO INTERACT WITH ME. More information equals more credible answers and a more successful outcome. If you want ANSWERS THAT WORK, participate in any way I request. I'm quite committed to working on this site for YOUR benefit and the benefit of YOUR DOG. Help me in any way you can.

Experience

30 years of solving serious behavior problems in domestic dogs; expert in dog to human aggression; Internet columnist for ThePetChannel.com for 5 years; former radio talk show host, WHPC.FM, Garden City, NY "Bite Back" (1995 through 2000). List owner, international animal behavior experts, K9Shrinks@egroups.com. Seminar leader: "Operant Conditioning and Learning"; "Aggression in The Domestic Dog"; "Solving Problem Behaviors" -- conducted for various training facilities on Long Island from 1993 through 2000. Former clinical director of "Behavioral Abnormalities" in conjunction with Mark Beckerman, DVM, Hempstead, New York.

Organizations
Member, APDT (UK); Psychologists in Ethical Treatment with Animals

Publications
Harcourt Brace Learning Direct: "The Business of Dog Training" "The Fail Safe Dog: Brain Training, not Pain Training"

Education/Credentials
Ph.D., UC Berkeley

Past/Present Clients
Board of Directors: Northeast Dog Rescue Connection; The Dog Project; Sav-A-Dog Foundation; etc. Pro Bono counselor: Little Shelter Humane Society My practice is presently limited to forensics. I diagnose cause of dog bite, based upon testimony before the Court, for attorneys and insurance companies litigating dog bites, including fatal injuries. I also do pro bono work for bona fide rescue organizations, humane societies, et al, regarding such analysis in an effort to obtain release for dogs being held for death in municipal shelters in the US.

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