Televets

• Home
• »
• Pet Questions
• »
• Dogs
• »
• View Question

Sheltie agressive toward older dog

Blanca

My Sheltie grew up with our older American Eskimo. Now, the Eskie is almost 15 and the Sheltie is 4. Most of the time, the Sheltie is so sweet, and the dogs get along well. However, it seems they get jealous when the other gets attention from me, and a fight starts. I have to break them up, and usually get a scratch or bite in the process. The Sheltie goes from Angel Dog to Devil Dog in only a second if she feels threatened about food or attention. I have them in a small 1-Bedroom apartment and have a busy schedule (I'm a teacher), and I try everything I can think of to keep the peace between them.

Please don't suggest getting rid of one of the dogs -- the Eskie only knows her family and adopting her out would be devastating for her and me. The Sheltie is my best buddy and will be my companion for 10 or more years to come. The rest of the time, she is incredibly sweet.

Can someone suggest a way to stop the competitive spirit between them? Maybe you will suggest something I have not already tried.

Thanks!

Symptoms: Behavioral

• Experienced Advisor Rosie Barclay says:

  September 07th, 2009 at 11:05 AM

  Hi Blanca

  This is quite a common problem and the best way to solve it is for you to make sure that all nice things come from you but only when you say so and not when they demand it. In other words if both dog are vying for attention and you give it to them on demand you then become an important resource for them to fight over. So stop being a resource and take some control back. Form now on only give the dogs nice rewards (cuddles, food, treats, door open, lead on etc) when YOU decide and not them. You may have to seek the advice from a qualified companion animal behaviourist to do his successfully. Your Sheltie is NOT trying to be leader of the pack (as this actually does not exist) but is challenging your other dog over resources and like it or not you are seen as a resource. Meanwhile as a first aid measure, stop giving them stop giving attention on demand or trying to be fair, being fair is a human concept and not really understood in the dog world. What ever you give one the other will want (like sibling rivalry) and you will cause a fight.

  You will also find that they may be a change in who gets what first as one ages and the other younger one becomes stronger.

  Hope this helps

  Rosie Barclay

   

  Current Rating:

  Rate This Answer:

  
  Good Dog? Bad Dog?

  Good Dog? Bad Dog? By Rosie Barclay. This book concentrates on changing the traditional views of how we perceive and treat our dogs using what we have learned from scientific research so far. It starts at the beginning by looking at ways of how to chose and bring up a new puppy that may reduce the likelihood of future problems. It then goes on to cover different problems that commonly occur between owners and their maturing or adult dogs by discussing real case studies. TO BUY VISIT www.rosiebarclay.com