Well i say fighting but its more just the start of a fight were you hear thoughs horrible sounds dogs make.

This has been happening alot the last few weeks, although they have never ever had a fight as a quick Hay hay stops them.

Zeb is the dominate one, he is also the starter of these "fights" he'll be over possive of a toy or bit of dropped food and also the paper tubes in toilet rolls

Im not to worried about them hurting each other but twice now zeb has started on Bear while my son was stood between them,

We arent sure what to do next to stop these little battles, they are best friends and sleep together play together and are good as gold even bears pretty much over being scared of men.

To be honest we cant afford a behavourist at the moment and im not sure if the insurence would cover it.

We do seperate them and as i said stop as soon as we say hay. I just need some help making sure it doesnt get to the stage were they have proper fights. Zeb is also very aggressive with Bear when we out with our dog friends he'll turn on bear if he goes near any of the other dogs and if he goes to close to him, he bite and pin Bear Down so much that ive stopped walking with them off lead (recall problems with zeb at the moment) there and only let them say hello e.t.c on lead then we go off and carry on with our walk.


they get walked 2-3hours a day if it helps.

Oh zeb is more malamute in his personallity then he is springer, were as bear is abit more springer like.

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It sounds like normal sibling behaviour, you will just have to keep an eye open. Make sure they're not alone when high value items are about.

As for other dogs, it sounds like Zeb is asserting himself, try putting him on a lead everytime he does this to show him that if he acts this way play will be ceased, don't put them both on, just him, he'll soon learn that this is undesirable behaviour.

Reward him when he plays nicely too, show him the alternate behaviour that you want from him, this way it will be easier for him to understand

I have no idea about behavioural issues with malamutes but I think there are a few experienced ppl on here that may be able to help you too.

Hope I have made sense

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Good advice from gungirl

Dave's brother lives next door so we do get a bit of that too.. they do stop when we say too.

But around other dogs, or even out on walks the three of them together, the boys do have a bit of a scrap the 'instigator' gets put on the lead until he calms down.

x

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I'd be careful about making the leash a punishment. It could cause problems later in the park or at home.

If they're growling over a toy/food etc. it's a great time to exert your power as their leaders and just reach down and take it away. Do be careful if any of this possessive growling starts at you and don't tolerate anything of the like.

They will quickly learn that growling makes the things they like disappear and should stop both short and long term.

Because the Leash is a pleasurable thing to most dogs, it will not be the object that they associate as punishment, it will be the action of removing them from play, with positive reinforcement too, when the dog shows appropriate behaviour, it shouldn't become an issue. The only way that the dog would see the actuall leash as punishment is if someone was to hit the dog with it, which i very much doubt the OP will be doing

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Thanks

We were told to muzzle zeb in the house but only when hes started on Bear but it isnt something i really want to do

They do stop straight away when told to, and i do make them both back away from what they are growling over which they do without any problems at all

I do the lead thing with zeb around some dogs as he has an aggressive fear response to a few breeds (boxers and staffs at the moment hes been attacked by both). Hes got pants recall at the mo so not much off lead running as hes likely to bugger off lol!

thanks i wasnt sure if it was normal or the start of something more serious, I dont think they know they are siblings tho as they were serperated for 5months but then again you never know

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Owner to-
lots of rodents
2 monster dogs
1 slinky cat

I am very much of the opinion that dogs must sort out their own heirachy. Intervening is just unbalancing mother nature.

However, there must be rules. Maybe keep the dominant dog on a lead so that the other dog can play with his friends, without being told off?

In the house, if it is getting unacceptable, then tell them to stop. But you need to get the balance right.

Are your dogs neutered? Testosterone can play a part in this behaviour.

x

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I would be VERY WARY of "just taking" an object which a dog is resource guarding whether from another dog or a person. Resource guarding is a fear related problem. Fear of loosing something valuable. By justing taking the object you are confirming that fear, the dog learns that growling is not working and so they may climb the ladder of aggression and snap or bite.
That's a pretty dangerous thing to do IMO and a quick way to get yourself bitten.
I do agree that if two dogs are squabbling over a toy or one dog is inclined to guard a toy/food from another dog then in the short term, removing the object and not leaving toys/ food or whatever out when both dogs are together is a good idea until you can get proffessional help.

Daynna- If I were you I would simply not allow them to have toys when they are together for the short term. Your dogs are just under a year old correct? It could be a stage of adolescence that they are going through but I would certainly contact a decent behaviourist if only for a chat about the situation.

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This could be the start of a problem. Aren't they littermates? Both same age and both male. Aren't they also half staffy? Are they neutered. They are reaching the age where problems like this will start to happen. You may be able to get it sorted, but it may escalate. I would get help in and not leave it to chance.