Dog problem

wicklow newbie

My two dogs have taken to tearing lumps out of one another on a nightly basis for the last week. one is a springer 3.5 years old the other is a springer/terrier cross 1.5 years old.
The younger one is coming off the worse of these encounters which normally end with plenty of scratches and blood all over them. The younger one then wont get back or is not let into the kennel. Found him again sleeping outside this morning. The 2 of them are now lying up in the kitchen armchairs with not a bother on them. They have shared the same run and bed for 5 months without a bother. The vet said castrate one of them. I was wondering is there any other solution? Would seperate houses within the dog run sort them out or will they continue to fight? The older lad is very placid, the younger one jumps around a bit but is calming down. Any one any ideas??

greenpeter

Try another box, if that fails split the pen.

gentleman jim

I feel that the dogs are sorting out the top dog position and that once they establish this the fighting may cease. However the young dog may be a little hyper and annoying the hell out of the older dog so throw in another kennel and it might help too.

wicklow newbie

Thanks lads. will give it a try with the kennel. Dont really like the vet solution or dividing the pen.

dicky82

it sounds like the terrier is trying to establish himself, or they may be a bitch near by thats in heat and her scent is wafting to your place thus resulting in some disputes. they wont fight infront of you as you are top dog. ive had rotties, springers and jackers all living here in the yard. occasionally there is a bit of a 'rank' scrap, if i am home i usually sort it out by pinning the culprit down with a couple of slaps (not as cruel as it sounds) to the nose. this establishes your dominance and and puts the up start back in his place. . .

hope some of this helps

EPointer=Birdss

greenpeter wrote: »

Try another box, if that fails split the pen.

+1
By any chance have you added new bedding lately with the cold?

Wolfhillbilly

I had the same problem a few years ago. I waited to see if they would establish a pecking order but nether would back down - two dominant dogs. There's one solution - split the pen.

doyle61

sounds to me like its a domeniance issue with them. usually they sort it out between them but if neither submit to the other, and if you want to keep them in the same run, the vet route might be the best route to take

wicklow newbie

They keep pulling the blankets out of the kennel and ripping them to bits so I have given up giving them to them. Will stick another kennel in tomorrow. Have them seperated at the moment to stop them. Thanks for the help. Will post up how things are going.

wicklow newbie

Meant to say the younger dog was here first and I would have said he was top dog as the older lad is so placid. Maybe the older one has settled in now and decided to assert himself?

Wolfhillbilly

Also, meant to say about the vet option. I went down that road and it didn't make a blind bit of difference.

mallards

I had a two brittanys in the one pen, Mother and daughter. The daughter had been neutered. One day the mother nearly killed the daughter but luckily I came across her before it was too late. After nursing the daughter back to health I still have to seperate them when I'm not there as there is still tension there. When I work them together they are as good as gold. This was a few years ago now. Keep an eye on your dogs as there may still be some trouble there when they are left alone.

Mallards.