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Canine Behavior/New dog in house

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Expert: - 10/26/2008


Question
Hello, we have had a dog for about two years and just brought another one home.  The dog we have had is a lab/Rhodesian ridge back/Shar Pei.  We just brought home a new 13 month old boxer and the boxer is doing great wanting to play and such but our other dog is incredibly territorial.  I have heard that it is good to let them kind of fight it out when they get into tiffs so they can figure out who the alpha dog is.  Is this correct?  Both dogs are females and our dog has had aggression towards other dogs before but nothing she couldn't figure out.  When she was a pup she was abused and neglected.  What steps can we take to get them to at least be at peace with each other?  I read in one of your other answers that walks are the key so we are going to start that right away!  Thanks for your time!

Answer
Do NOT LET THEM FIGHT IT OUT!!!!!

Your present dog is not a good candidate for a "brother", let alone a "sister".  Your present dog was most likely not socialized to other dogs as a puppy and has issues (perhaps fear related, can't tell that from here.)  (I don't know how you get a three way mix...lab/ridgeback/shar pei?) You have two independent, strong and stubborn breeds (one mix.)  They should have been introduced OUTSIDE OFF YOUR PROPERTY, on leash, walked parallel and then allowed to interact, BEFORE bringing the Boxer indoors.  Too late.  Walking dogs parallel to one another can assist them in developing a tolerance for one another but it will NOT fix an escalating aggression problem between them (especially two females!)  You must closely observe this "fighting it out" == watch body language, observe which dog is backing off, do NOT ALLOW blood letting.  Be VERY VERY CAREFUL how you interfere; do NOT reward and do NOT punish, this takes some degree of diplomacy.  If you are able to determine which dog is more dominant (which I have my doubts you will be able to do), repost for instruction on how to promote that dog.  My suggestion is you bring in a certified applied animal behaviorist if you perceive this relationship is developing in a manner you cannot determine or facilitate.

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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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