I an getting desperate with two of my dogs,(both entire) they seem to be for ever at each other
just lately,growling and pushing each other, every so often they get really snappy and have a real go, this is usually over in seconds but I dont want it.
I just dont know what to do to stop them, I dont want to part with one so thats not an option.
Can any one offer any advice on how to stop them goading each other.
Thanks

Under what circumstances is this happening?

Lindsay
X

There does not seem to be any particular reason, it just happens. One might come into the room where the other is and they start, if one is getting fussed the other starts, they both do this.
I know its about dominance but how do I sort it out, they are both equally strong willed.

Have you tried carrying an indoor plant spray around with you? Its a great distraction when dogs get like this. Also it may be worth getting one of them castrated as this will give them a hierarchy.

And if you get the wrong one castrated it could make things worse  

To give advise like this over the net without seeing what is happening is totally irresponsible, castration is not a cure all.   In order to know how to treat these dogs first you need to assess what is really happening.  This cannot be done on the information given.

How do I work out which one is the leader when they are both as strong as each other.
There is no real reason for their behaviour it just starts even if one moves, the other will get up and they start the growling at each other and pushing, the large one swings his rear end into the smaller one and this goes on for anything up to 15 mins, the smaller one starts his barking which is so loud and after a while he attacks the bigger one. It is usually over failrly quick but it is getting longer. The larger dog never attacks the smaller one he just keeps pushing which leads to the smaller one attacking.
I just cant part with either of them so I have to find a solution to this.
Can anyone help.

Sandie, have you thought of getting a behaviourist out to your house so that he/she can see them both in their enviroment? ;)

You really need someone to see them, to assess what is happening :)

Sorry I couldn't be of more help, but I do agree with Dill. The sooner you can solve the problem and work out what is going on between them the better it will be for all of you :)

Good Luck :)

You said one of them pushes his rear end into the other. I seem to remember reading somewhere that this is a sign of submission.. but don't quote me on that.

How old are they?  Is one or both playful?

My younger male pushes his rear end in the face of my older one when he wants to play.  He uses this behaviour as an invite to chase and the older one invariably does.  Quite often the play/chases gets noisy and often ends when the younger realises he's bitten off more than he can chew (not literally!!) and he yelps in submission and the older one immediately backs off.

If neither one is damaged by this rough housing it probably means that there is no real aggression although it can sound like it at times. 

 

Sorry Dill for my irresponsible advice. I obviously didn't make myself clear at all. I just assume a level of common sense in most people. Maybe I shouldn't. Will keep my gob shut in future.

The thing is, it's all very well suggesting castration, but which one? If the wrong one is done the problem is likely to get worse, and if both are done nothing has changed, so the problem is likely to remain too. And over the net you can't see which would be the right one ...

(PS - I've learned not to assume any level of knowledge at all - and sadly common-sense seems to be a very rare commodity ... ;) - not directed at anyone in particular, just a general observation)

JG,

You have just said what I would have :)  Sadly castration could make matters worse (I have seen this) :(

As for assuming any level of competence, over the internet things can be misconstrued, misunderstood and mistakes made.  In a situation where advice is being requested it is all too easy to give when the consequences fall to some unknown person :(  we don't have to live with the results ;) other people also read this forum and may take the advice and act on it when it doesn't apply to them.

Sandie, you say that there doesn't appear to be a reason for their behaviour, there usually is a reason but we humans aren't always able to read whats going on, this is where an experienced behaviourist would be able to help, they may see what you might have missed :)

I think I have a case of both wanting to be top dog and neither giving in to the other.
At the moment I have been using distraction techniques with them which seems to work well.
I have been watching them and it seems the bigger is pushing the smaller and wont leave him alone, in the end the smaller one snaps because he is fed up, distracting them before it gets out of hand seems to be solving the problem for the time being.
Thanks for help and advice
Sandie.