Hi everyone,
I'm hoping that someone can help me.
I have 2 English Springer Spaniels. Pepper who's 9 (bitch) and Max who's 12. The dogs have always gotten on pretty well. We had a fight over a tennis ball once about 6 years ago but other than that it's been great.
However. Back in April I discovered that I am pregnant. Not long after that, Pepper started to become really dominant over Max and will start a fight with him pretty often. I put this down to my tiredness and giving off odd vibes which the dog misunderstood. I think she felt the need to try and exert her authority. Anyway, I have managed to sort out any other problems on walks etc but we are still experiencing fights in the house. When my husband or I are preparing food, we make them lie on their beds. (they share one giant bed). Once we have finished preparing and eating they are allowed off their beds. But then max snuffles round the floor to see if anything has been dropped. This is when pepper strikes. She can't stand this snuffling and will pounce on him and roll him over. This works for her as he is smaller but he won't give in and the fight becomes really aggressive.
I don't know where to turn now. I desperatly want this sorted before the baby arrives but have no idea what else to try.
Please help.

how about their own beds at different ends of the kitchen,or maybe different rooms

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(formally clare7577)

I am all for peace in the house, I would seperate them at feeding time, till you know they are ok and eveything has gone, ie the sniffing round has finished, they are both oldies, and sometimes they just get a little grumpy like we do and things irritate them that didnt used to. its not a big deal and you certainly dont need the stress, I know some will come on here saying that is not ideal, that you should be able to do all these different sorts of training etc, but these guys are getting on in years, and there must be something that is triggering off their behaviour after all these years together, it could quite well be there is some underlying health issue like the thyroid on your girl, this can cause some aggression issues(dosnt have to be human aggression) so it just may be a good idea to have the bloods checked out on your bitch.

Mo

I agree.

Give them different beds........also give them thier own space. So that they feel more secure. Like Pepper one side of the room and Max the other.... or even different rooms

Failing that you might need a behavourist in.

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Hi

I had a similar thing with my group of three dogs, but managed to sort it out and regain a little calm, but it wasn't easy, partly because I had to change the pack order, relgating an older established dog - who was there first, down the pack. It broke my heart, but restored peace!!

Firstly, you can do all the things that the others have said, as a way to reducing the number of 'spats' between the dogs, but it sounds like there has been a distinct change in your pack. Could it be that you are maybe not giving the dogs the exercise and stimulation that they have been used to - it isn't easy spending time walking and giving the dogs all your energies, when you a growing larger and tireder by the day!

Could it be that Max, the older dog, is beginning to slow down? or isn't as well as usual and that Pepper is picking up on his vulnerability?

Is there anything else that has changed within your group/family/daily routine? Have you given up work and are now spending more time at home?

If you can identify any of these, it may be the key to resolving the issues. Could it be that Max was alway 'top dog', although Pepper had the odd challenge, but it is now changing, or is it that Pepper was always top - sometimes the dog that makes the least noise is the pack leader, as they don't have to assert themselves in any way other than body language and looks!!!

Before you do anything, I would suggest you look carefully at all the above and then put some basics in place in the home. Split the bedding areas, reduce the attention the dogs get. Feed in different areas of the kitchen - you 'gesture eating' before the dogs and restrict their movements within the house. You will probably find that you will have to start reducing the attention anyway, in preparation for the new baby and maybe need to think about restricting where they freely move around the house and it is better to do all these now rather than when the baby comes.

Once you have done this, see how the dogs are behaving, remembering it may get a little worse before it gets better. Then you plan the next move and whether you have to 'up' one dog and 'relagate' the other.

Best of luck and I am sure harmony will be restored!

Kate

Oh thanks Kate,
That makes perfect sense. Up until about 8-9 months ago, Max was the guarder of the house ( and very noisy he was too) but he has since lost his hearing quite badly. So now, not only is he slowing down considerably, but he no longer guards the house and behaves in this all powerful way.
It makes sense that the demographic is changing in our little pack.
Apart from obvious things like feeding etc, are there any other things you recommend, if I am going to try and demote him?

Well it looks like you sussed the problem. Exactly what happened with my old bitch a border collie, who was 13 when she started to get 'picked on', my first dog who got me into behaviour and training, so it was hard to see an up jumped younger collie stealing her position, but it had to be done. The more I told him off for being mean to her, the worse the problem became. I should have just left them to it!

If you are sure you have got to the stage where you could safely 'up' Pepper, then it is quite a simple process, trying to use the natural behaviours of the dogs anyway, reinforcing them slightly in the favour of the promoted dog in you can.

At any time there is a squabble, don't tell Pepper off if she goes at Max, but just stop the squabble by distracting, then don't make a fuss of Max when you feel sorry that he had been picked on - this is the hardest thing to do in my book - Anytime there is an option of one being first i.e. doorways, getting in out the car etc. let Pepper take the lead, she may be trying to anyway and you haven't let her, if you have both sat and are feeding treats, reward Pepper first etc etc.

If Max has any privilledges that Pepper doesn't - one of our dogs is allowed upstairs at story time to sit on the bed with our daughter for a bit - otherwise they aren't allowed upstairs, then try and give Pepper a bit more time too. If you think through your routine there are probably numerous occassions where Pepper is already pushing in, so let her.

If you decide to go with it and help the situation along a bit, do be careful, as if you think Max won't back down gracefully, you could get a bit of scrap. Ideally let them do it themselves, with a bit of subtle engineering from you and it will all come good in the end.

Best of luck, it is so sad to see an older dog getting old, but it is what happens in every pack eventually, as long as Pepper doesn't upsurp you!

Kate

lol this has nothing to do with their dog beds.... its simply that the bitch is for some reason taking a dislike to the boys behaviour. You should correct the bitch before the attack begins, by this I mean you will be able to see when shes got her eyes on him and you should give a steady, leave, no, ah ah command whatever it is you use.
I couldnt say why ses doing this - maybe she thinks hes getting more than her, maybe she thinks he will receive extra treats from you - the bitch in 99% of cases will always dominate the boy but that doesnt mean you shouldnt step in when its taken too far especially when the boys getting old. Simply because he would guard the house, doesnt mean the bitch wouldnt get her own way in other circumstances, id take a bet this was the case at least. You want to have him able in furture year not to be bullied. Stopping it now will help hugely in the long run and shouldnt take much telling. Be very firm though and if she doesnt listen, remove her, its should sink in

I used to take My terrier x tilly to my friends house to play with her dog maddie. My friend is now pregnant and maddie went for tilly last time we went she will not tolerate ANY dogs around my friend, she's fine with other dogs when my friend's not there but when she is she's HUGELY protective. Maybe this is the case with ur girl? She will be able to sense all the extra hormones in your body, she will know you are expecting, and she may be protecting you and your baby. Just a thought.

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Hi everyone thanks for your replies.
We have tried telling off the bitch, as firm as I can. This makes no difference. She has just decided that Max is now ready to be dominated.
As these episodes mainly occur when they are snuffling around the floor for food, I have started shutting them out of the room completely when we are preparing and eating our food. Also I have started to split their own meals into two, instead of just once a day.
So far so good. The atmosphere is a little different but I will see how things go.
Thanks everyone for your help.