Comments for How to break up a dog fight at http://dogclassonline.com , comment 1 to 2 out of 2 comments http://dogclassonline.com Wed, 22 May 2013 14:08:54 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.2 http://dogclassonline.com/problem-behaviors/how-to-break-up-a-dog-fight.html#comment-100 Did Ruth grab her gently or roughly? Did Hope yip out of pain at all? When you say "attack", what do you mean exactly? Is there any growling involved, stiff body posture, hackles (hair on back of neck) standing up? What did Ruth do that made you think she got "really mad"? It's hard for me to say without having seen the incidents or any incidents prior. If you feel as though the interaction was aggressive, it probably was. I, unfortunately, don't know much about aggression. I do know that Hope isn't helping the situation by snapping back. It sounds like it could be a dominance issue as height, in the dog world, is a factor that helps establish heirarchy within a pack. So, when Hope was on her owner's lap, she was above Ruth and therefore was communicating to Ruth that she was in charge. The fact that she jumped down and nipped her foot tells me that she wants to get the last "word" and show she's in charge. Ruth, more than likely, wants to be in charge too and so she takes opportunities to try to establish herself as dominant (ie: grabbing Hope and trying to drag her off the chair). I think you need to work on establishing yourselves as pack leaders so that the dogs don't feel the need to take charge. I don't know if that will fix your problem or not, but it certainly couldn't hurt. I will attach the link to the article on establishing yourself as pack leader. http://registered.dogclassonline.com/index.php/Puppy-Obedience-Training/how-to-become-a-dog-pack-leader.html I also think you may want to have a trainer in your area come in and evaluate their interactions to see if there is any aggression or just rough play. Some large dog to small dog interaction can seem aggressive as the bigger dog forcefully moves the smaller dog around at will, but may not be aggression. When I first read your email, I immediately felt that Hope was in danger but as I reread it, it could be that the situation is not as bad as it seems. Definitely have someone who trains dogs in your area evaluate their interactions on their own property or I could maybe clarify for you if you took a video and emailed it to me or posted it on the site. Let me know more specifics and what you decide to do. Sorry I can't be of more help right now.. Carrie - Carrie- trainer Mon, 24 May 2010 00:10:29 +0100 http://dogclassonline.com/problem-behaviors/how-to-break-up-a-dog-fight.html#comment-99 The only problem I'm having right now is that Ruth every once in awhile attacks my roommates dog who is a toy poodle. It's upsetting because there is no warning and Ruth is so much bigger then Hope that just Ruth's shear size can hurt Hope. Yesterday, Hope was on her mom's lap and we were sitting by the pool. Ruth came over and sniffed Hope's rear and then like a light bulb - both of us saw it - Ruth's eyes changed and she grabbed Hope in her mouth and was about to haul her off. Deena managed to pull Ruth away, Hope jumped down and bit Ruth's paw and then Ruth really got mad but by then I had ahold of her. We can't figure out if Ruth wants to play with Hope - they do seem to have a fixation on each other - just wanted her off Deena's lap, or wants to eat her. - Help Mon, 24 May 2010 00:09:06 +0100