How do I keep my puppies from mauling each other?
Cathrine K asked:
My puppies are brother and sister. The male drags the female around by the ear, among other things. He is really mean to her. He is neutered, and she is spayed, so this isn’t the problem. I also have 2 adult dogs of the same breed (mini schnauzer) and he doesn’t bother them. He’s a little too young for obedience training (just over 6 months) but I’m afraid he’s going to hurt his sister. Vet bills are all ready expensive, and they are registered dogs, so I don’t want ‘anyone’ hurt. Any advice? Not willing to use physical punishment, either.
Good advice so far…but I can’t seperate them. That just isn’t feasible. He isn’t trying to hurt her, I know, but he is very rough. She has squealed like a banshee on more than one occasion. I don’t think caging them is healthy.
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My puppies are brother and sister. The male drags the female around by the ear, among other things. He is really mean to her. He is neutered, and she is spayed, so this isn’t the problem. I also have 2 adult dogs of the same breed (mini schnauzer) and he doesn’t bother them. He’s a little too young for obedience training (just over 6 months) but I’m afraid he’s going to hurt his sister. Vet bills are all ready expensive, and they are registered dogs, so I don’t want ‘anyone’ hurt. Any advice? Not willing to use physical punishment, either.
Good advice so far…but I can’t seperate them. That just isn’t feasible. He isn’t trying to hurt her, I know, but he is very rough. She has squealed like a banshee on more than one occasion. I don’t think caging them is healthy.
March 1st, 2009 at 2:16 am
separate them
March 2nd, 2009 at 4:33 pm
He’s just proving his dominance..Pecking order..He’ll grow out of it..
March 5th, 2009 at 4:31 am
Just put a few coins inside an empty coffee can, and shake it when he starts to get aggressive. I use this trick for all sorts of things with my cats and dog, so I don’t see why it wouldn’t work for you :]
March 6th, 2009 at 3:46 pm
You can start obedience training (AKC) as young as 8-10 weeks old. Puppy Imprinting is the very best way to train hon.
If you don’t like where this playing is going then step in and stop it… You have to be the Alpha… especially with 4 dogs.
Good Luck
SEW
Handler/Trainer- GSD’s
March 9th, 2009 at 2:20 pm
Just over 6 months isnt too young for obedience training. Sounds like he’s playing just a bit too rough with her. Just get involved, tell him to stop. When he starts to get rough, grab his colar and tell him “No!” Just dont let him do it..it wont take him long to figure out this kind of rough housing isnt allowed.
March 12th, 2009 at 10:36 pm
if they arnt drawing blood then dont worry about it, she will let you know when it hurts…
they are trying to establish a hierarchy (who is more powerful) they dont bother the older dog since they tell the kids to bugger off… hes in charge of them…. but they have yet to sort out whos incharge of who between themselves.
its nature.
however if it gets out of control you can tell them off in a non voilent way, with a surpise like coins in a soda can being thrown NEAR (not at) them or pot lids being banged together
dont make eye contact with them while you do this, you dont want them associating you with scary surprises
if it still continues to be OVER THE TOP…. try spashing water on them… the colder the better
you can also use a spritzer indoors
March 15th, 2009 at 4:35 am
Maybe you could try getting two cages, like open cages to separate the dogs but put both cages right next to each other so they can see each other but not touch each other. Once in a while you cna let one out, then the other, and later on let them both out under your supervision. If they dont get along, put the one causing trouble back in the cage, and try again later. Hopefully he will learn his lesson. Or maybe he will grow out of harassing his sister.
March 16th, 2009 at 4:32 pm
He is bullying her and enjoying it. She is submissive and not enjoying it. Do something to stop it. Dog training is essential. He does not attack the older dogs now for obvious reasons - they are too big. Do nothing, wait till he grows up and you have a huge problem on your hands. For the sake of the female - separate her from him for the moment. She needs to establish herself too without being bullied. I say again dog training is essential. You dont want a badly injured, cowering female puppy on your hands do you?
March 17th, 2009 at 6:33 am
there just playing but 2 be safe yell bad dog when u see them fighting!!
March 19th, 2009 at 10:01 pm
Why do you think he is too young for OB training?. Especially with siblings the dominance struggle has been going on between them for a long time. He is third in the pecking order and is constantly showing #4 who the boss is. He would really rather be #1 but there is only one that he can dominate. This urge is stronger in some than others and especially with males. Get him into obedience training and also you need to prove your dominance to this dog and then show him that you willing to protect all the members of “your pack”. Do not allow him to be aggressive to other members it will only get worse. Being intact is not the only reason that males want dominance. They don’t know why themselves. It is instinctive. A physical correction method will probably need to be employed because honestly I don’t think you are going to be able to talk him out of it or give him a treat for being good and expect him to stop behaving badly. Good Luck