Pugs started fighting

[randomgirl]

Hi everyone,

I've had a look at other threads on here about fighting pugs, and we've tried some of the things people suggested but we don't seem to be getting anywhere.

We have 2 female pugs, Suzie (19 months) and Gracie (3.5 years). We adopted Gracie about 7 weeks ago, and to begin with the two of them got along great. In the past week or so, Suzie has started to attack Gracie for no apparent reason. It can be after they've eaten, or it can just be random. This morning they were laying on the couch snuggling together, then we fed them (in separate rooms, and I took the dishes away afterward) but a few minutes after we brought them back in the same room Suzie attacked Gracie again. It's definitely not playing - it's pretty vicious. It's not like her at all - we go to the dog park very frequently and she never has a problem with other dogs, big or small, she just plays nicely. Gracie has started to fight back, understandably, but that only seems to escalate the situation. Obviously we separate them right away, and so far they haven't actually hurt each other, but I'm so sad about this whole situation.

When we first got Gracie, she was pretty depressed and submissive. I'd say she's still submissive for the most part, but she's definitely getting more confident and outgoing which is brilliant - apart from the impact it's having on Suzie, because I think it's kinda changed the dynamic of their relationship and it seems as though Suzie now feels somewhat threatened by Gracie.

Coincidentally Suzie does have a UTI at the moment, which she's on antibiotics for. At first when the fighting wasn't so bad I thought maybe she just wasn't feeling good, but most of the time she's acting like her usual cute, sweet self so I don't think that could be the case. Or could it? I was hoping it might be that, and that when she's better this horrible behavior will stop, but I think it's more to do with Gracie becoming more confident. In public they're fine together, on walks or at the dog park they don't fight or anything, it's just at home.

We're signing Suzie up for obedience classes, but I wanted to get other pug parents' opinions here too. I just don't know what to do now. The whole thing this morning had me in tears, silly I know, but it's so awful. I really thought if we were going to have a problem with them it would've been in the beginning. Everything seemed to be going so well and now this...

I don't want Gracie to be depressed or anxious, which I think is starting to happen again. We couldn't bear to part with her but sometimes I wonder if this situation is going to impact on her health, and maybe for her own good she should be with another family without a dog intent on hurting her.

I'd be grateful for any advice you can offer

[Wonka & Nilla]

I just noticed this thread and saw it had no replies yet. I hope Suzie's UTI is cleared up now and that she is feeling better. Occasionally, dogs who've never had issues will start attacking when they are sick or in pain.... hopefully that is the case for Suzie and once she's feeling better everything else will improve. I'm glad you're signing her up for Obedience classes, that should help a lot, but prior to the first class you should probably mention to the instructor the problems you've been having. The instructor can advise you if you've got Suzie enrolled in the right class or if she needs something else. If there is someone who can be the handler for Gracie, she would probably benefit from a class as well.

The more often a dog (or human) does something, the better they become at it, so the most important thing with fighting dogs is "don't let them practice it." If necessary, keep them harnessed and leashed in the house so that you can quickly pull one away if you see the signs of a fight about to break out. Use crates to keep them apart and calm during times that might be over-exciting or stressful.

Since it's only been 7-8 weeks since the adoption, Gracie might just now be starting to feel at home there and, like you said, that might be changing the dynamic. Some private lessons with a dog behaviorist/trainer might help you work through this adjustment period.

And please don't beat yourself up about it or feel bad for crying.... it is very upsetting and stressful!! Back when our pugs were fighting a lot I cried all the time because it was so awful to see and I blamed myself. SO, give yourself a great big hug and then start reading all you can on dog training and make a phone call to a local trainer to get some help. Your girls will be OK.

[Wally 'n' Leto]

I've got nothing to add except hugs and support.

[randomgirl]

Thanks guys, I appreciate your replies!

Thankfully the situation has become much more bearable since I last posted - I think Suzie is more accepting of Gracie now, and we've been using the water spray bottle if they look like they're about to fight (they both hate it, and it instantly stops the behavior - I'm not sure what dog trainers think of this method but it works and doesn't hurt them, so we're happy with it!)

Suzie no longer has UTI symptoms so I think she's feeling better, she'll finish her antibiotics on Friday morning and hopefully that will be that. She's at the vet right now so they can try to get a urine sample (we had no success in that department!) and hopefully everything will be good.

Maybe a lot of the fighting stuff was to do with Suzie feeling sick, because the same situations that seemed to trigger her aggression last week now don't arouse much of a response from her. We keep the water bottle handy just in case but most of the time just showing it to her is enough to make her stop whatever she's doing.

The lady who runs the obedience classes also does the agility class that Suzie's just completed. She said they have 2 different classes, the first is for puppies and 'not so bad' dogs, and the other is for bigger, much more problematic dogs. I asked her which one she would recommend for Suzie after we told her all the stuff that she'd been doing, and she said the 'puppy' class would be better for her. She also said to take Gracie to the class too, which we're happy to do. At least then they'll both be learning the same things at the same time, so it'll be easier to be consistent with them both at home. Even if the fighting's never an issue again, it'll be good for them to do obedience classes. It'll probably be good for us too!

Thanks again!

[Wonka & Nilla]

I'm so glad to read a happy update. It sounds like you found a good solution to break it up before it gets ugly and are on the right track.

Best wishes for Suzie and Gracie in their upcoming classes! I'm sure it will be great for everyone. Quite often it seems that the humans learn just as much in obedience class as the dogs.

[adenes]

" (they both hate it, and it instantly stops the behavior - I'm not sure what dog trainers think of this method but it works and doesn't hurt them, so we're happy with it!)"

This is EXACTLY what a trainer once told me to do! It's not safe to break up a dog fight so this is what was recommended!

[randomgirl]

" (they both hate it, and it instantly stops the behavior - I'm not sure what dog trainers think of this method but it works and doesn't hurt them, so we're happy with it!)"

This is EXACTLY what a trainer once told me to do! It's not safe to break up a dog fight so this is what was recommended!

Thanks for your reply! That's really good to know

For the most part things between them have been fine recently, we have problems occasionally but they're doing so much better than before so we're happy! The power struggle seems to be over thank goodness!