help... my pug girls are fighting.

[costumelady]

Hi, everyone. this is long.. sorry....I have a progressively serious problem. Stinker and Tubby are getting into fights more and more often. at first it was just at meal time... ok I figured Stinker is possessive and doesn't want to share... so we separated her during meal time. but now they get into fights almost daily. I am guessing that we are having a 'who is going to be top dog" issue. I grab them by their harnesses and separate them and hold them apart until they settle down. I can not just grab one up. Stinker is just too heavy for a quick pick up and if I grab Tubby then Stinker is jumping up to try and get to her. I have no idea what to do. I have never had this happen before. Runt just stand there looking at them like they are nuts. I have tried dowsing them with cold water. That worked for a while but now that is not phasing them. There doesn't seem to be any one thing that sets them off. They rarely fight over toys. They play most of the day very well. they all sleep in the same bed. But at least once a day they get into a fight. And this is different than their play fighting and wrestling. We had Stinker for 6 mo before getting the other 2. Stinker is definitely my dog. she is jealous if I give the other two too much attention. but that rarely will trigger a fight. I am at a loss of what to do... any and all suggestions are very welcomed....thanks in advance...

[Wally 'n' Leto]

Is there any way you can get a good local trainer in for a consultation to look at the dynamics between the dogs, and help you sort out what the trigger is and how best to manage it? There must be some sort of warning before the scrap starts, even if it's just a glare. That's the time to intervene, not once they're fighting.

[adenes]

Totally agree with Heather. This is something that a trainer should be brought in to. I would say keep them separated more often or at least if they are alone until you figure out what the trigger is.

[pugaddiction]

I wish you best of luck with this, it is a very serious problem, and quite upsetting I am sure. We had 2 fighters here, but one big dog and one little dog. Unfortunately we had to rehome the big dog, broke our heart. I would most definately seek a good reputable trainer or behavourist and quickly.

[costumelady]

thanks.... i'm not sure if there is a trainer near by. I live in a rural community. I will ask my vet if he knows one. I have an acquaintance who used to be a dog trainer in TX before she moved here. I will try and hunt her down to see if she can help. If not I will have to take them 90 miles to the nearest big town to find a trainer. Most of the fighting is just snapping at each other and growling and wrestling... no biting.... but you can tell by their voices they are angry with each other and they are not playing. Most times we are in another room when we hear it start and come running to break it up. I will have to find a solution to this because I could not choose between them if I had to get rid of one of them. They are my babies. thanks for the help.....

[CountryPug]

I've had problems with my girls too. I have to pay attention to how I react and my energy level. If I see something that I know could cause a fight, I nip it in the bud immediately. I make them respect each others space and they both know that I am in charge and will protect them. I know how that is when you pick one up and the other jumps and attacks. Pugs are sweet, but when they get mad....look out!

Is it usually the same dog that starts the fight? Who is the aggressor.....One dog may start it and the other goes nuts and gets blamed for it. Have you ruled out health issues, like thyroid, cushing's?

It's not an easy fix, but if you work at it, it's possible to improve their behavior. You have to tune into the little signals and nip it before it gets big. Best of luck, I know it's not easy.

[HeathersDH]

I know that not everybody is a fan of his methods, but a lot of what Cesar Millan does makes sense to me.

If you separate the dogs when they're fighting, that will just feed it the next time they start. If they're trying to work out "who's top dog", it's a good chance to let them know that neither of them are... you are! Keep them together until they've both calmed down. That will let them know that this is the behaviour you expect from them.

Even if you're not keen on all of his methods, a few of Cesar's concepts are hard to argue against, like being calm and assertive with the dogs.

Heather and I aren't perfect with our 2 boys, heavens knows... at home you wouldn't think that both of them are in competition obedience classes... but we don't take any nonsense when one makes a serious growl at the other.

Anyway, there's lots of ways to work with and train your dogs. Some of Cesar's methods may add an extra few tools to your toolbox.

Best of luck with them!

-Scot

[pugzrule]

I didn't read through everything here, but I will say that my girls fought A LOT. We started spraying Ana with water when she started things up with Aubrey and it really worked. She cringes when we even pick the bottle up (which is weird because she loves to go out in the rain!). If they are in a full-out fight, we spray her a couple of times and she walks off. It can't hurt to try...

[tall grass pugs]

Fill a two liter bottle with a handful of pennies and when the fight initiates, at first hind--thud the bottle against your hand, say no in a bitter bored tone. Crate time out. Avoid eye contact with them both for the duration of time out. Do not feed in the same room, or leave treats around. Sometimes just leaving toys out will start the row. Off to go see what Cesar Milan knows about pugs, brief search, not much.

Because of the vulnerability of pug eyes, among other things, you want to have the fight stop. Separate the participants. Pugs do not have a legation at the United Nations, and they will always have the last word if available. This is all about territory and ascendancy. If a trainer is not available, tv trainers are--Victoria Stilwell? has practical applications. Reward good behavior, use crates during the after incident moments. I doubt that you will ever have to rehome either dog, but begin with the basis--feed seperately in different rooms. Leave the dish down for fifteen minutes by the clock, and pick up.