How can I keep my larger dog from attacking my dog ??when there’s a small bone in the house?
When the dog has left a large object like chewing a bone somewhere, she attacks the small one if he walks into the same room it’s in. She is docile and obedient otherwise, though active. She has other dog playmates to run with every couple of days, and I walk / run her every day.
Bones only while supervised. Do not leave them laying around.
A Dogs can be aggressive with other dogs, especially if they have not been properly socialized with other dogs in puppy-hood. Sometimes a dog that is naturally dominant has trouble with other dogs especially in puberty. Sometimes a dog has a specific experience (eg a dogfight with another aggressive dog) that causes it to become aggressive toward other dogs in general as well. Whatever the reason, it is well worth your time working on your dog’s aggression toward other dogs. You will probably get the best results, especially with a dog problem – extreme aggression, for example – (Preferably one that specializes in problem dogs) if you contact a local trainer for individual help. However, there are some common-sense things you can do. First a bit of basic dog psychology: friendly behaviors include moving side by side, sniffing butts, tails wagging at body level (not up high or over-the-back). Not-friendly behaviors include meeting face-to-face, esp. a face-to-face approach, ears forward and tail over back. Force them into friendly behaviors as follows: walk the dogs on leash in parallel. They should be close enough to see each other but not close enough to snap at or touch each other. Be careful when you two turn that the dogs do not tangle. Make sure one does not get ahead of the other: keep them parallel. Keep this up until they relax. Slowly start walking closer together as behavior permits. Hold one dog on leash in a sit. Have food treats and a water bottle handy. Walk the other dog toward it, to about six feet, then turn away (increase the distance if the dog sitting Snarls). The idea is to turn away * before * the sitting dog shows any aggression. If the dog shows no aggression, reward it with a food tidbit or verbal praise. Do NOT touch the dog (stand on the leash or tie it down). If it does growl, spray it with water. Switch the dogs So that each experiences sitting or walking toward. They are learning that good things happen without defensive behavior. As they improve, start walking a bit closer before turning. If the dog sitting Snarls, do NOT turn the other dog away: the person sitting with the dog should correct it and when the dog subsides, THEN moving the dog should turn away. Finally, holding the head of one dog, but Allowing it to stand, have the other dog briefly investigate its rear. This is really the extreme extension of the above. These exercises have several purposes. One is to force the dogs to consider themselves friendly by engaging in the behavior of friendly dogs. The other is to teach both dogs approaching that of dog is not necessarily grounds for aggression. This will take a lot of work, probably over a couple of months, but they will work, and what’s more, should reduce tensions with other dogs as well (ie, not only between the two specific dogs in the exercises).
The large dog is protecting her bone, the little one doesn’t want to get it, maybe you can give them both a bone? Or only give the bone to the big dog outside or another room? Thats a tough one but a dog will always protect its property from another dog and sometimes humans.
If she’s attacked the small dog without injuring it, then it’s less of an attack and more a show of force. Do not intervene.
do not let them have bones, or only let the dogs be in separate rooms when they are chewing on bones and take them away when they are done
Give the bone to the smaller dog and Do not allow the bigger dog to have the bone for a while. Your dog wants to challenge your authority and almost try to move the smaller dog off your head of the pack but not him. If he moves for it in your presence your boot connect with his backside and scare the hell outta him. He can have the bone when you say so and the same with your other dog, not when he says Sun Take charge or dont give him anymore bones or you will be next.
are the rawhide bones? I’ve seen many dogs become aggressive over that type of bone. if so, buy something else