Hello!
I need some advice. I live with two roommates who together have 3 dogs and I have one. Although we haven't always lived together, our dogs have grown up together. Here's the problem, their dogs, one in particular, are becoming very aggressive towards Remi. Captain (their dog), the oldest of the bunch, has not being feeling very well, but be that as it may, he wheels around and attacks, and I mean full on attacks Remi. For no apparent reason, being witness to two of these attacks, I am being totally truthful. Remi could be just walking by him and BAM!!

They never "punish" him, only take him from me after I break it up.  And I'm always the one to break it up!! It's like they think it is ok, cause he doesn't "feel" good. (But he's still well enough not to take him to the vet!?) My fiance tried talking to them about it ( him being best friends with the guy) and his reply was.." he doesn't bite down". My poor pup has the scars on his nose and head to prove otherwise. And just the other day he growled at ME!! I had no problem telling him was not going to happen ever again.

What do I do? Could it be competion of dominant male? (Mine's not neutered, but yet he's not the oldest) Should I correct him myself, whether they are there or not? My frustration is building! Any advice or insight would be greatly appreciated!!

Alittle doggy background:
Remi's a black 11 month old lab
Captain 's a mut (who I believe to be part Pit, not just by his behavior, but his build and coloring) and is just about 2
LoBo and Bailey are brother and sister chow/sherpherd mixes abour 7 months

*I know not all Pits have this behavior (contrary to many beliefs), a good friend of mine has two, both of which I have never seen in an aggressive manner; Smoky Bear is 5 and Roscoe is 2 1/2 years old.*

Without actually observing these incidents it's impossible to say why they are happening. Poor Captain has been going through a lot, and his breeding may not lead him towards living happily with other dogs, especially once they reach maturity as the others are now starting too.  (Come to that, Chows aren't renowned for the sociability with other dogs either :( )  Even though your dog isn't the oldest, doesn't mean he has a 'top dog' attitude, and this may be annoying Captain.  Captain may also be in more discomfort than your friends realise, and may benefit from some pain relief from the vet. It could be something as simple as Captain associating his discomfort with the presence of the other dog (maybe as he moves to watch him)

Your first step towards sorting this out should be to get Captain to the vet to asses his physical condition and possibly get treatment, which MAY help (but I'm not holding my breath). Then ask for a referral to a behaviourist (I'm guessing you're in the US, I'm afraid I'm not familiar with the governing bodies of behaviourists in the States)

Thanks Digger,
I appreciate your advice. It is so frustrating to me when other dogs when, especially friends, are not responsible for their animals. Your insight to Captain, very well may be correct. They got him when he was about 10 months old, reasons for why his previous owner didn't want him were unknown, but he lived with LoBo and Bailey, since they got them at around 11 weeks. He has no problem with them. And although they are part Chows, the only reason that LoBo seems to be showing aggression is that he is imating the bad behavior of Captain. The pups are fine, Remi and them play great together, no fights. The only time that I see aggresssion come from LoBo is when something is near his food (the poor pup showed his teeth to the coffee table leg the other night). But if something was indeed wrong with Captain, I would have no problem taking him to the vet, but I don't think, see, smell, anything wrong with him. Captain is one of the dogs that if he has a mosquito bite, you know it. I believe that they are just saying that so they don't have to face up to the fact that he is an aggressive dog, well more so, that he has a aggressive nature. Regardless, thank you for your help. I will continue to watch for things that seem out of place btw the dogs. Hopefully it is just a phrase that they are trying to work though, I just wish my dog didn't have to be the brunt of it! (Yes, I'm in the US)