I have a 5 year old lab ridgeback mix named Bubba and a 4 year old standard schnauzer named Harley. I found both of them, they are great companions for me and I love them dearly. Harley attacks Bubba as they are going outside or if Bubba comes to me for pets and scratches. I have tried the techniques suggested by the Dog Whisperer and I have talked tough to him. He thinks this is all part of a game and waits to get Bubba the next time. What can I do?
You need to have someone else keep the jealous dog busy while you pet the other one, possibly giving him treats. They might have to gently restrain him using his collar or an arm around him. Then reward him after you are finished petting the dog. Hold the jealous dog back while you let the other one out, & then when the other one is a distance from the door let the other one out. I have had to do that for other reasons & now the one dog just stands there & waits for me to give him the okay. It takes time but it will be okay, the key is consistency. (04/05/2006)
By Vic
I had the same problem with an older chihuahua vs younger, bigger chihuahua. I found a possibility on the net and Vet gave O.C. a blood test and, sure enough, he had a thyroid deficiency. He is on replacement pills and, with my barking louder and giving him time outs, he has settled down.
A spray bottle works wonders. A jealous dog is a pain and it's hard to break them, but a spray of water usually changes their minds. (04/05/2006)
By Georgia Peach
I agree with Georgia Peach's post. We brought in a neglected dog about a year ago for company for the dog we'd had for 5 years. She's very dominant and tries to steal attention from him. We feed them separately and when she misbehaves we squirt her with a trigger spray bottle filled with water. She really dislikes this, plus we keep it in the fridge...lol. Even showing her the bottle makes her think twice! (04/06/2006)
By jojo
Are they both the same sex? If so maybe there is the alpha thing going on. Then you always have to deal with the alpha one first. First treat, first pets, first out etc. The lower ranked dog will not take this as a slight but will be fine with his place in the pack. They are used to dealing with placement in the pack. You just have to respect the alpha male/female so there is not the constant struggle to show who is boss. Everyone will be happier for knowing their place.
I have 5 chihuahuas, and one of them does what you are describing a lot. The snapping coming in and out, and when attention is wanted. I notice this mostly in our "alpha" dog. Maybe they are just trying to let them know who is boss (Alpha). I usually try to ignore it until it gets extreme. And I think she knows her limits now. When it got extreme we would scold her. But, most of the time, the going in and out, we just ignore it. The Alpha dog, has to be bossy at times. (04/06/2006)
By Glinda
We have two shepherds and every time they go outside they fight, you think they are going to kill each other but they never do. The male is 110 pounds, he ends up on top pinning the female down. They are loud and obnoxious and you really think they are going to get hurt. If they go out alone they are fine, it's only if someone is with them they go nuts. How do you stop it? (01/15/2007)
By Louise from AZ
I have a 6 year old golden retriever, and we just got a 6 week old beagle terrier mix puppy. And of course the puppy isn't potty trained yet, so we have to spend extra time with him. But every time the puppy goes to lay down with the retriever, the retriever is always either barking or growling at him. Is this jealousy, or is she just not used to him yet? (08/30/2007)
By Gio
I don't agree with the squirting of the dog working. My German Shepard LOVES water. Especially when you squirt her with it. I can't stop her from being extremely jealous of the cats, (even the fish). It's getting worse. She's 20 months, 1 cat is 17 , the other 14. I can't even have a cat sit near me, she goes and nudges him out of the way or nibbles his back. I wish that squirting worked. Holding my dog back is extremely hard. I don't know what else to do myself. (11/20/2007)
By Joanne
I have a 6 year old Manchester terrier and have just got a 12 week old staff pup. I try to pay them both the same attention, but if the pup tries to lay with the older one he will snap and growl at him. Sometimes when he whimpers he will go for him, is this jealousy and will he get used to the pup eventually? (03/17/2008)
By gill
I need a bit of help here, I have a two year old female who has been an absolute gem, easy to train and very loving. We recently got a golden lab who is typical of the type, a bit stupid, very affectionate but needs constant attention. The female has been fine until the last few weeks. About a year ago she broke her hip and it seems that when the pup wants to play he attacks her bad leg.
By Paul
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