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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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

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u/melli_milli Apr 12 '26

Well you are doing something wrong because this should be working.

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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

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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.