AboutLorie Hartwick Expertise I have been an accredited dog trainer and obedience instructor for the past 20 years. I am also a certified AKC good citizen instructor and tester. My approach on training is a proven method of do no harm lure reward system. This method gets you honest results in a short amount of time.If you have a problem or just need advice on anything from finding that perfect companion, to house breaking, puppy to adult training or AKC good citizen training or test I would be happy to help.
Experience Dog trainer with 20 experience, AKC instructor and tester of AKC good citizen test.I work with local rescue groups as animal behaviorist.
Education/Credentials Animal behavior study, accredited dog training certificates, AKC accredited for the good citizen training and test.
Question We have 2 miniature dachshunds, female, who occasionally have very violent fights. They are almost 2 years old and we've had them since they were 6 weeks old. They are sisters from the same litter. We are not sure what sets them off but they are very difficult to separate and calm down sometimes need to be separated from each other for days. We have both been bitten and scratched. The fights are so violent that we are afraid they will kill each other. The smaller dog is usually the aggressor. We are so afraid that we will have to give them away and that would break our hearts. Is there a way to help them?
Answer Sally,
What you have is just them establishing an order, someone has to be in control (the leader of the house). I have found when I run across a situation like this, it is that the dogs feel they have to fight for the dominance position because they feel there is no leadership. Have they been in obedience training? This will have them learn that the leadership in the household comes from you (the human).
If they have been in class then use what you have learned and reinforce the commands to take control, leaving it up to the dogs will only end in fights.
Keeping them separated is not an answer, this only shows them that the fighting they must do. Keep them together and reinforce obedience. Remember to reward them when they are showing signs that peace and harmony can happen.
I think with some training your problems will disappear and you will have no need to give them away.
