How to Stop Dogs From Picking on Each Other

Sibling rivalry in a home--or dog-on-dog aggression in other settings--often results in serious injuries to the dogs and sometimes to the humans that intervene. To deal with dog-to-dog aggression, consider all safety issues. Sometimes, the only solution is to keep the dogs apart or find the dog a home where other dogs are not present. Avoiding injury to humans and the dogs takes priority over forcing a relationship that could become dangerous.

Things You'll Need

  • Crate (optional)
  • Muzzle (optional)
  • Head collar (optional)
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Take the dog or dogs to the veterinarian for blood work and a neurological examination, suggests VCA Alameda East Veterinary Hospital. Most issues occur due to natural social hierarchy needs, but sometimes health issues, including thyroid problems or conditions causing pain,can cause aggressive behavior. Dogs also may attack or try to dominate a sick or aging dog. Treat any medical condition, keeping the dogs separated until the problem is resolved.

    • 2

      Spay female dogs or neuter male dogs to help decrease aggression between dogs and reduce hormone-related behaviors in bitches and responses to the cycle by the other dogs, according to Richard Bowen, a professor at Colorado State University.

    • 3

      Record the situations that cause the dogs to pick on each other. Write a detailed log of incidents, such as thunderstorms, visitors or competition for human affection, food, sleeping location, passing through doorways or general attention. List all changes in the household, including moving, maturing of one dog, new family members, new pets, loss of an older pet and schedule or work changes.

    • 4

      Watch the dogs and determine what occurs if no human intervenes--as long as one dog does not injure the other. If one dog submits and the other dog stops picking on it once it submits, stay out of the situation. Support the dominant dog by feeding it first, greeting it first, making sure it passes through doorways first and gets to sleep in the place it wants. Do not try to make the situation fair to both dogs as it increases fighting, according to Pawprints and Purrs, Inc. Keep the dogs separated if neither dog submits or fighting continues even if one dog does submit. Often with same-sex dogs, separation may be the only solution.

    • 5
      Dog bones and treats create common reasons for fights.

      Reduce the situations that result in problems by doing things such as removing toys, except when you are supervising. Do not feed the dogs in crates or far apart or crate the dogs when company comes or during storms. Consider using a basket muzzle or head halter on the dogs if aggression escalates or continues, suggests VCA Alameda East Veterinary Hospital.

    • 6

      Train your dogs to respond to commands to improve your control of the dog interactions, suggests PetMD. Teach each dog to respond consistently to commands to sit, relax, go to its crate and lay down.