02Dogs

Hi, Quick recap - my two girls were snuggles buddy, had several serious fights so are now kept completely separate :-( We're currently working with a trainer/behaviourist. The training is going well, however, my youngest still goes into 'hunt' mode if she thinks she can get to my eldest so I'm keen to see if there are any natural remedies that can help stop/reduce this habit. I've tried Adaptil and Pet Calmer (by Bradfield) neither helped. There are some good reviews for PetAlive's aggression formula but it is pricey - has anyone tried it? Oh... I'm also looking at getting the Calm by PetArk for both girls post training, so any feedback on it would be appreciated as well! Thank you.

Our two girls recently started fighting and can no longer be together, which has made things very stressful :-( My HB was away for the first session with the behaviourist/trainer so he has been a little cranky with me constantly 'correcting' him with the dogs. We had the trainer out the other day for a catch up when HB was home so he is now on the same page. So the trainer had the last say!!

The non-working dog was inside the house, where both crates are, and the working dog was with me outside so she stay outside while I evicted the other. I got one dog run up on the weekend, which I pop my youngest into. My 2nd dog run finally arrived yesterday but they sent the wrong size, so it'll probably be another couple of weeks until I get that one up.

Sad but true. Until the dog population is reduced to levels that cause shelters and rescues to go out of business, I'm pro de-sexing before selling. Also vets will let you know if it isn't safe to de-sex. My youngest was desexed around 6/7 months. She couldn't get done any younger because her vag-jar-jar was too tucked away, the vet wanted it to come down further before de-sexing to reduce infection when she got older.

Update: The girls have been doing well with NILIF and focus training (though the eldest can be impatient!) However, I had a brain fail last week, they were able to get near each other and had another fight :-( After the latest fight I moved their crates into different rooms, keeping them completely separate and blocking their ability to see each other as much as possible. Muzzle introduction (just a couple of minutes at a time) is going well thanks to some tasty sausages! I've got one run up, the other run finally arrived today but they sent the wrong size :-/ Anyway, there is a LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG way to go. I would love people's opinion on the following...... Today I took my youngest outside for training and the eldest decided to sneak into the youngest's crate for a nap. Is this a territorial tactic? I know the youngest would do the same if she could.

My oldest started developing a REALLY - jumping into walls - bad thunder & fireworks phobia when she was about 1.5 years old. It took years of trial and error (Adaptil didn't work for us) but we found the thunder shirt and crating calm her the most.

I've got a spot on enclosure that I don't use that I would happily sell cheap. I live on the northside of brisbane. I can measure it tomorrow if you like. Hi Lisey, That would be fantastic if you could. Thank you!

Thank you!

Hi, Any ideas on where I can buy a large dog run, e.g. 4x2m, in or around Brisbane? I brought one online but it is taking FOREVER to arrive and I desperately need the run now. Cheers.

Yep they're both de-sexed. We have a trainer and she is pretty positive about improving the situation. It is just going to take time and consistent training from us. Re-homing is not an option. Weather or not they can be together off-lead again, we'll be able to manage and ensure the girls are happy.

I use to dog sit a friends de-sexed male and they ended up getting us a new bbq cover because their boy would not stop peeing on it :-/ And I've found males tend to escape more. However, I have two females fighting each other at the moment so females can be turds too!

Thank you, it really is a horrible situation :-( We have walked them on leads together, however, I will only do this when my husband is home. Sorry I should of said re-introduced them off lead. Due to the speed and intensity of their fights we have to muzzled when they're re-introduced off lead, we can't risk them injuring each other again That's why we have purchased the muzzles now to slowly get them use to it so they're comfortable and relax while wearing them before they go near each other with it on. And that won't happening until we've completed the training program and the trainer gives us the go head. *sigh* if I could only speak dog

I would try to get it on video, then speak to them about not doing it again. If they continued to do it I would track down their parents or go to the school if they're doing it in uniform.

Hi, My girls have had 3 fights in the past week, both dogs receiving decent damage. Their issue is resource guarding people and position/territory. We're working on focus and NILIF until we get our training strategy next week, however, can I do anything else to settle them down? Was thinking about trying Bach flower remedies - Aspen, larch & rescue remedy for the oldest - Chicory & holly for the youngest Any other suggestions to help my oldest's nerves and improve my youngest's attitude would be greatly appreciated. Cheers.

I work from home so my schedule is very flexible. I won't get my training program until next week, but I have started focus training and 'Nothing in life is free' approach. Fingers crossed we can get them sorted because they did have a such beautiful relationship and I hate the idea of having to keep them permanently separated, but it thats what we end up having to do we will.

For me it was experience with my dogs issues and qualifications from reputable organisations. BUT the most important to me is their ability to be a flexible trainer because I know my girls learn differently. I have spoken to ALOT of trainers in the last couple of days and I strongly suggest avoiding those with the 'my way or the highway' attitude.

I saw Jane. My girls had another fight in front of her, however, I'm glad she saw it because both were acting a like butter wouldn't melt so at least she has witness their intensity and been able to identified the trigger. It took seconds to escalate, too quick to intervene. The main trigger is resource guarding - people - plus my youngest is a beta dog and has hit maturity. However, my oldest made the first move yesterday, I'm going to get her checked for any under lying issues. They're being crated (which they took to within minutes) near each other and rotated between inside and outside until we get the runs built. It's going to take some time to improve the situation. I'm also getting basket muzzles so they can start getting use to them before we try them loose together (that'll be a couple of months away) and flower remedies. Oh and they're not getting christmas presents this year! I like how Jane took time to learn about the dogs and seems flexible with her approach. I've spoken to a lot of trainers lately and many seem to have a very rigid approach, which is useless to us because we know our girls learn differently. I did contact Dr Cam Day and he also sounds good, but is on the other side of town and significantly more expensive.

Thank you Caz but I wasn't proactive enough. I came home to both dogs covers in blood, I am so lucky they stopped the fight themselves before I got home. They had another rumble (took about a minute to stop) with the older girl receiving more damaging, however, she did give chase to the younger when she ran away. The signs were there - they stopped snuggling, the younger girl started sense marking on walks and excessively body blocking the older girl recently - I just completely failed to add them all up :-( I'll give Jane a call. Are there any other trainers anyone can recommend?

Hi, I would really appreciate recommendations for a dog behavourist around Brisbane to help stop recent fighting between my two girls. I understand there can be shifts as the younger dog reaches maturity and change may be inevitable, however, she still lacks confidents and can be a bit of a bully so I definitely don't want her being the dominant one yet, plus my older girl is not ready to back down anytime soon. So if you have had a brilliant behaviourist help you with female rivalry in Brisbane PLEASE let me know! Thank you!