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Canine
rivalry -
dogs fighting - dog article on Pets.ca
What is Canine Rivalry?
Canine rivalry refers to repeated conflicts between dogs living
in the same household. Animals that live in social groups establish
a social structure within that group. This social structure is
hierarchical and dogs determine their place in the hierarchy
through control of and access to various resources, such as food,
toys and attention from people. A stable hierarchy in which each
individual knows and accepts his rank provides dogs with a sense
of comfort and belonging. Conflicts arise between household dogs
when there is instability in the social structure; that is, when
the ranking of each dog is not clear or is in contention. Dogs
may warn each other initially by snarling, growling or snapping,
but not causing injury. However, the conflict may sometimes intensify
into prolonged bouts of dangerous fighting, which may result
in one or both dogs being becoming injured.
Getting Professional Help
Ongoing canine rivalry is potentially dangerous. Dogs or human
family members could be severely injured as a result of fighting.
Because resolving rivalry problems requires managing the dogs’ somewhat
complex social behaviors, it’s often necessary for owners
to obtain assistance from a professional animal behaviorist.
Certified animal behaviorists are trained to observe, interpret
and modify animal behavior.
Why Conflict Occurs
Conflicts between household dogs develop for a wide variety of
reasons. Conflicts may occur if:
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A
new animal has been introduced to the household.
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A resident animal has died or no longer lives in the house.
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A resident animal is re-introduced after an absence.
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A young dog reaches social maturity, which is usually between
10 months and 2 years of age, and challenges the established
higher-ranking dog.
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A
high-ranking dog ages or becomes ill and cannot maintain
his higher status.
Understanding
Status Seeking Behavior and Social Structure
The dogs’ positions in the hierarchy are determined
by the outcome of their interactions. The results of this
complex
and
dynamic process will depend on the dogs themselves, without regard
to your preferences. Any attempt on your part to interfere may
result in increased conflict.
How dominance is established:
Dogs
usually determine their social ranking through a series of
behaviors, which include body postures and vocalizations that don’t
result in injury. Examples of these behaviors are one dog “standing
over” another
by placing his paws or neck on the shoulders of the other, mounting, lip
licking or rolling over onto the back. Some dogs may take toys away from
other dogs, insist on being petted first or exercise control over other
resources. However, because of past experiences, inadequate socialization
or genetic tendencies, some dogs may escalate
these displays into aggression with very little warning.
The Social Structure:
Do not attempt to influence or define the dogs’ rankings
by treating them equally or by preventing a higher-ranking dog from asserting
his position over another dog. The social hierarchy of the dogs is dynamic
and complex, so even attempts to “support the dominant dog” may
be counter productive. The dogs should be allowed to determine control
of resources, such as toys and favorite sleeping places, amongst themselves.
As much as possible,
refrain from interfering in the dogs’ interactions with each other. But
most importantly, establish yourself at the top of the hierarchy. Practicing “Nothing
in Life is Free” is an easy and non-confrontational
way to establish leadership by taking ultimate control of all resources
the dogs find valuable. If your position as leader is clear, it will help
the dogs
sort out their lower places in the social structure more peacefully.
Breaking
up a fight:
If you need to break up a fight, do so by squirting
the dogs with water or making a loud noise to try and interrupt them.
Never attempt
to break up a dog fight by grabbing the dogs by their collars or getting
any part of yourself in between them. Touching dogs while they are fighting
can
result in what is called “redirected aggression,” where a dog may
bite you because he thinks you are part of the conflict. If you’ve
had a dog fight, contact your veterinarian for a referral to a professional
animal behaviorist.
What You Can Do To Help
Establish
fair rules and enforce them consistently.
This helps all the dogs feel more secure and also reinforces
your role as leader. With the
help of a professional animal behaviorist, elicit and reinforce
non-aggressive behaviors using counter-conditioning
and desensitization
techniques. These
procedures must be designed and
tailored to specifically meet the needs of each individual case
and require professional
in-home help. Punishment will
not resolve the issue and can actually make it worse. You should
be
aware that if you respond to this type of problem inappropriately,
you run the risk of intensifying
the problem
and potentially causing injury
to yourself and/or your dogs.
Article courtesy of Dumb Friends League
Reproduced by permission
www.ddfl.org - All Rights Reserved.
Other related
articles of interest may include:
WHO'S IN CHARGE HERE? A lesson in becoming Alpha
Puppy socialization - socializing your dog
Nothing
in life is free
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