Re: Three in the one house

In Reply to: Three in the one house
Category:   Aggression
Posted by:  John
Posted on:  December 22, 2002 at 11:24:50

: Bit of a long story here.

: My Father and I got a male and female as 8 years ago.

: They breeded and one of the pups ( a male ) went to
: my now Stepmothers house.

: Dad got married, sold the family home and moved to
: my Stepmothers house, with both dogs.

: So there are three dogs around the house – the Father,
: Son and Mother.

: Ever since the move, the Father and Son cannot get on
: - they growl and posture at one each other a lot ( it seems to be getting worse ). Inevitably there is a fight,which the father always comes off worse ( he has had about 15 stitches in 3 separate fights - but gave the son a ‘Van Gogh’ ear in one ).

: Lat week they fought again – this time my Stepmom got
: bit when she tried to separate them.

: When the 2 dogs are on neutral territory, they are great - they hunt together.

: Obviously, this cannot continue – it causes a lot of stress for Dad, Stepmother and my Step-Sisters /Step Brothers.

: The son is the ‘Steps’ dog.

: The only solution we see at the moment is to have the
: Father put down – heartbreaking for all.

: Has anyone come across something like this before – I’d like to know that we tried everything before making a decision ?

: Thanks
: John

Response:

Hi John,

My first question has to be if either of these dogs have been neutered? If not this can be the source of much of the aggression you are seeing. Two intact males in a house with an intact female is just a ripe environment for inter-male aggression.

Dogs don't know they are related, so just because they are father/son means nothing to them. If the female is intact they are staking out their territory and chances are she is a part of it.

I would certainly get these dogs neutered and spayed. This could relieve a lot of the tension in this house. I will warn you though that it takes several months for the hormones to leave their system so results won't be seen overnight.

This fighting should not be a death sentence for the older terrier. Perhaps they can keep these two dogs separated or maybe you can re-home one of them with someone else if all else fails.

Regards,
Marie