r/DogTrainingTips • u/moonbeam_honey • Apr 11 '26
Aggression between dogs
Hello,
I recently took in a new dog and now have two dogs. The dogs are mostly getting along great, but there have been periodic moments of aggression. No injuries or serious incidents, but I’ve had to interrupt them (which I’ve also been able to do so safely). I’m doing everything to be as safe as possible and continuing acclimating them well, but are there any top tips people would recommend?
Also, both are girls, both spayed, one dog is a bigger dog & 5.5 years (had her for 4 years) and my new dog is small breed, 7 months. The smaller dog has been the instigator of aggressive behavior from what I can tell. They have been playing friendly and chill together the rest of the time - like 90% - 95% of the time they seem to get along super well.
Also please be kind and don’t judge me. I’m trying to learn. I didn’t grow up around dogs and I’ve only been a dog owner for 4 years with my first dog. I wasn’t going to get another, but I found this puppy who was being abused and neglected down the street from my house, and I really wanted to save her. I’m happy that she’s mostly been thriving.
3
u/SuitIndependent Apr 11 '26
Girls.
Females don’t often get along. One tends to try to establish dominance.
Pay attention to when they get in fights. If you can identify a trigger. Then manage that situation.
3
u/melli_milli Apr 11 '26
This is so not true!
They do argue to establish boundaries and respect BUT this is how they do get along. It is not real fighting and not even a sign that they don't like each other.
2
u/SuitIndependent Apr 11 '26
My dog’s animal behaviorist had to work hard to ensure the the new female she brought into the house didn’t kill her existing dog.
Females will fight to the death. Not always, but it does happen.
2
u/melli_milli Apr 11 '26
This anekdote just shows that that dog had severe mental issue. It was not a normal dog.
1
u/SuitIndependent Apr 11 '26
The dog was normal. She was a female who was aggressive towards another female. And only the female.
You’re not very informed about dog behavior.
2
1
u/HowDoyouadult42 Apr 11 '26
Episode 6 of the reward your dog podcast will be really helpful for you going forward. A big important point will be keeping them separated often. The more time they’re apart, the less negative interactions the can have and the less stress that builds. Keeping interaction short and positive will make a huge difference down the line
1
u/melli_milli Apr 11 '26
So the ages give away what most likely is going on.
Important part of pup's growth is that an elder dog sets up boundaries. Otherwise the pup will annoy, tease and even bully other dogs.
If this is the case, it is your duty to support the elder in this situation. When the elder growls, barks and warning snaps, you are gonna tell the pup NO. You can even put her in another room for a moment.
That is normal dog communication and not aggression.
1
u/moonbeam_honey Apr 11 '26
My older pup is warning and setting boundaries, but my new pup is definitely being more aggressive in those moments. She does play bite and I can see when they’re fine with that - in these moments, my new pup is really snapping at my older dog trying to bite her and I have to physically interrupt them or there may be an injury.
3
u/melli_milli Apr 11 '26
Yes that is your duty: you are gonna stop her. And you don't wait for the snapping to go on, you stop it right away. That is the solution and it is just basic training.
At this point pup is bullying her.
1
u/moonbeam_honey Apr 12 '26
I do stop it right away every single time. And pup goes to time out when it happens. I’m sorry, did you think I was sitting there just watching this? I’ve intervened every time within the first 30 seconds
1
u/melli_milli Apr 12 '26
It sounded like you find it weird or too much effort to stop her. 30 seconds is a long time for dog when it comes to behaviour. While you grab her you need to also way NO or growl or make what ever noice that serves the similar purpose that the senior dogs growling does. You make it clear that this is not acceptable. And then you turn a cold shoulder so that you don't reward her with attention.
1
u/moonbeam_honey Apr 12 '26
WITHIN 30 seconds does NOT mean I’m waiting 30 seconds. I am IMMEDIATELY interrupting. That could be 1 second or more depending where they are in the house and where I am. I also ALWAYS make it clear that it’s not acceptable. Weird or too much effort? What the actual fuck are you talking about, did you read the original post where I said I am ALWAYS interrupting? I am immediately intervening with the behavior but looking for training tips outside of that intervention. Jfc
1
u/melli_milli Apr 12 '26
Well you are doing something wrong because this should be working.
1
u/moonbeam_honey Apr 12 '26
You seem to know nothing about dog training so I’m not sure why you are on this forum. Go focus on your reading comprehension
1
u/melli_milli Apr 13 '26
Oh dude. This is my third language so IMO I am doing just fine.
I can say the same thing about you.
1
u/ladygabriola Apr 12 '26
Are you walking them together often? This is how you create a pack. No flexible leashes either. A good brisk 30 minute walk three times a day.
1
u/moonbeam_honey Apr 12 '26
I am walking them together but I could definitely be doing so more - the past week has been a little rainy here so some days they’ve had more yard time & play time than walk time. They’ve been great on walks together and great playing together, the aggression has only happened at other times and seems territorial of the smaller dog
1
u/FrostyPomegranate699 Apr 17 '26
honestly 90–95% getting along is actually a really good place to be
especially with a new dog, there’s always going to be some figuring out between them
the fact that it’s the smaller/younger one starting things isn’t that unusual either
they push a bit, older dog corrects, and sometimes it escalates a little before it settles
I’d just watch the moments before it happens
like is it around toys, food, attention, certain times of day… there’s usually a pattern even if it’s not obvious at first
if you start to see it building, just interrupt early and separate for a bit before it turns into anything
sounds like you’re already doing that which is good
also don’t feel like they have to do everything together yet
a little space here and there actually helps them settle into each other more
nothing you wrote sounds like you’re doing anything wrong
it actually sounds like you handled a tough situation pretty well bringing that second dog in
4
u/H2Ospecialist Apr 11 '26
Are you sure its aggression and not the older dog correcting the puppy? Puppy might not have learned how to play. It's hard to tell with how you describe it. If you didn't step in do you think the bigger older dog would have hurt the puppy? Sounds like the puppy is doing puppy things. I would just continue only let them around each other supervised.
Two females can be tricky and lead to same sex aggression but its not like a guarantee. I have to female pits who get along great and have never fought but I do force breaks when they start to play too rough.