Owners of two or more dogs

[Anonymous]

Do you "discipline" when the dogs get into a fight?

Mine got into a nasty fight today over a tennis ball my son tossed in the kitchen. (We had a talk about how this is against the rules - dogs should be separated before fetch play.). Fights have happened before but only outdoors when they have found a ball or decided to fight over a stick - but it's not a common occurrence and they get along really well.

I made loud noises to separate the dogs, checked over the one acting like she was hurt (she was fine, no injuries) and took away the ball.

Should I scold them with a harsh tone, put them in separate crates when this happens - or is this just typical dog behavior and I move on?

[Anonymous]

I would not put them in the crate to punish them. The crate should not be a punishment area. I think you did fine when you separated the dogs. when they’re calm, pet or praise them at that time, because what you want to reward is the calm behavior.

[Anonymous]

I would discipline. I have 2 Goldens, but they’ve never gotten into a fight. But if they did I would put a stop to it immediately and discipline to prevent from that becoming accepted behavior.

[Anonymous]

I have 3 dogs and they play fight and do bitey face but they have never got into an actual fight.

What is the history of your dogs? Were they spayed/neutered early? Did you get them as puppies around the same time? Are they rescues?

[Anonymous]

^I have a golden, pit mix and german shepherd.

[Anonymous]

No, discipline is a dangerous idea, especially when adrenaline is high. Separate, allow them to calm down (it takes up to 72 hours for the stress hormones to go away), and then be more careful going forward.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No, discipline is a dangerous idea, especially when adrenaline is high. Separate, allow them to calm down (it takes up to 72 hours for the stress hormones to go away), and then be more careful going forward.

72 hours??

[Anonymous]

Honestly, I'd rehome one of the dogs. If this is a persistent problem your dogs would be better as single pets.

[Anonymous]

I say no, take away the object they are fighting over (usually a chew bone), and tell them to go lay down. That seems to end it.

But my dogs are old neutered males. They are fairly low drama in general.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have 3 dogs and they play fight and do bitey face but they have never got into an actual fight.

What is the history of your dogs? Were they spayed/neutered early? Did you get them as puppies around the same time? Are they rescues?

Spayed/neutered early (I have one of each), one is three years older than the other, both from reputable breeders although not the same one, I have had them since puppyhood.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:^I have a golden, pit mix and german shepherd.

Ugh crazy , dangerous

[Anonymous]

We just got a second dog and while things are improving every day, they do occasionally get into it. I read you DO NOT want to discipline because it can cause more stress to an already stressful situation. We try to watch closely and do positive redirection if we notice a situation might escalate, and if we are breaking up a fight we calmly separate while reassuring to let the instigator calm down. We've had the new pup for about a week and a half and they haven't gotten into it in a couple days.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We just got a second dog and while things are improving every day, they do occasionally get into it. I read you DO NOT want to discipline because it can cause more stress to an already stressful situation. We try to watch closely and do positive redirection if we notice a situation might escalate, and if we are breaking up a fight we calmly separate while reassuring to let the instigator calm down. We've had the new pup for about a week and a half and they haven't gotten into it in a couple days.

This is helpful. Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Dogs don’t understand human “discipline,” as they don’t seek acceptance and adherence to norms in the same way people do. Instead, they are more likely to perceive their owner, usually a source of comfort, as having become unpredictably shouty. With dogs it’s better to reward the behavior you do want. Then set strict boundaries to prevent the behavior you don’t want. For example, don’t yell at a dog that counter surfs, keep it out of the kitchen, leashed, or crated if food must be out on a surface it can reach.

In your case you need to think about how to set boundaries to prevent fighting. Will the dogs exercise separately? Can you permanently remove objects that they tend to fight over, or do they just find something new to do battle about? If your kiddo doesn’t understand the rules, this may not be a safe situation for these dogs. If it’s true fighting and not playing, it isn’t humane to have these dogs together. I would consult a behaviorist (not a trainer but not necessarily a veterinary behaviorist) to work on resource guarding and any other triggers for aggression.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^I have a golden, pit mix and german shepherd.

Ugh crazy , dangerous

Lol. Not even a little dangerous. They are very sweet dogs and they get along great. 4, 8 and 12 years old. We got them all as puppies and spayed them early on, socialized with children, puppy class and yada yada.