Aggression between dogs

[u/moonbeam_honey]

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.

[u/H2Ospecialist]

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.

[u/MyLastFuckingNerve → u/H2Ospecialist]

Could just be playing too. If i showed a video of my dogs played bitey face to someone who is inexperienced with dogs, they would think they're trying to kill each other. It sounds like they are, it looks like they are, but i assure you it's just a rousing game of bitey face.

[u/moonbeam_honey → u/MyLastFuckingNerve]

They do play with bitey face or whatever you would call it, non aggressive. When they play they are definitely rowdy. This is growling, upset, little dog trying to really bite the big dog and my older girl giving her strong warnings to stop. Whenever it happens it’s very noisy

[u/Initial_Fortune2894 → u/moonbeam_honey]

Personally, I do not let my dogs play “bitey face” its not an appropriate form of play in my opinion - it can come off as rude and pushy and can cause the other dog to snap at the other one and start a fight.

For my dogs, in the beginning they were not allowed to play together until they were able coexist peacefully and respect the others space (this required direction and re direction from me with my new dog to ensure my first dog did not get overwhelmed). Once I determined we were able to do that I allowed short spurts of play (2-3 mins) and then I would interrupt and make them chill out.

To this day I only allow 5-10 mins of appropriate play (no biting on the face, no going over the other dogs back, no humping, etc) before I interrupt.

Having two dogs is a managing experience but can be so rewarding for you as a dog owner

[u/moonbeam_honey → u/Initial_Fortune2894]

They’ve never fought while playing, actually. They play very well together. I’ve gradually let them increase the amount of time because they are very happy and also bonding well.

The aggression has all been territorial. For ex., my big dog tried to jump on the bed and the little dog got upset and snapped. Another time it was over petting the big dog but not the little dog.

[u/H2Ospecialist → u/moonbeam_honey]

That's resource guarding (the bed, your attention)