| As a certified professional dog trainer and | | | | environment: Continue to keep the dogs |
| columnist for a dog-behavior advice column, I | | | | separated until you can work with a professional |
| receive many questions about "sibling rivalry." Just | | | | certified professional dog trainer or veterinary |
| recently a woman wrote in explaining she and her | | | | behaviorist who has experience with aggression |
| husband have two male Yorkshire terriers, | | | | cases such as yours. Each dog should still have |
| Smokey and Charlie. They are about 2 years old, | | | | walks, outings and play time with each family |
| half-brothers (same father), and up until four | | | | member. The only change in their routine should |
| months ago they slept together, played with each | | | | be that they are isolated from each other, unless |
| other and even ate and drank from the same | | | | you're in training mode. |
| bowls. After breeding Smokey they noticed that | | | | Another management tool is a plastic basket |
| he started to become "upset" at various times, | | | | muzzle for Smokey, to help prevent biting. |
| and ended up using his brother Charlie to take it | | | | However, this should not take the place of |
| out on - especially when Charlie was around the | | | | training. A muzzle won't train Smokey to like |
| husband or their son. They'd give Smokey a five- | | | | Charlie, but it can help prevent an actual bite |
| to 10-minute timeout, and then both dogs would | | | | incident. |
| be fine. | | | | Train the dogs using humane methods that are |
| Over time they started to notice that Charlie | | | | most effective and least intrusive. The owner |
| would hide under the dining room table until | | | | mentioned she worked with a trainer using |
| Smokey would walk away from the food bowl - | | | | "desensitization", but it sounds as if he or she |
| then Charlie would come out to eat. On occasion, | | | | actually used a technique called "flooding." |
| Smokey would come running back, prompting | | | | Depending on the individual animal, the |
| Charlie to run back under the table. They finally | | | | anxiety-producing trigger, and timing of rewards |
| had to result using separate bowls. They tried | | | | or punishment, the process of flooding with |
| "desensitizing" them (as a previous trainer put it), | | | | something an animal finds unpleasant (in this case |
| by placing each dog in his own crate, facing | | | | the presence of the other dog), can often make |
| towards each other, barking and going nuts trying | | | | matters worse. |
| to figure out how to get out of the crate to get | | | | The type of training steps will definitely revolve |
| to the other dog. They also took the dogs to | | | | around the counter-conditioning and desensitization |
| their vet for a physical evaluation who says there | | | | path. This is another type of "exposure |
| is nothing physically wrong with either of them. | | | | treatment," but one where the anxiety-producing |
| It has been nearly four months, both dogs are | | | | trigger - in this case each dog - is delivered at |
| living in the same house but in separate areas, | | | | very low intensity, while at the same time being |
| they no longer can be in the same room, nor can | | | | paired with something each dog loves, such as |
| one actually see the other without wanting to | | | | steak. In a nutshell, the presence of Smokey will |
| charge at the other. The owners reported they | | | | predict fabulous and wonderful things for Charlie, |
| are at their wits end and ready to give up. What | | | | and vice versa. |
| shall they do? I agree this is one doggy dilemma. | | | | Right now, the mere sight of the other dog |
| I'm sure it's a scenario they never imagined would | | | | causes emotional turmoil. To reverse that, you |
| happen. | | | | need to pair each dog with something the other |
| I commend them on their keen observational | | | | dog loves, then they'll learn to once again love |
| skills. Everyone in the household has become an | | | | each other. It's often best to follow a "slow and |
| expert in reading Charlie and Smokey's body | | | | steady wins the race" plan. Think of it as learning |
| language. Bravo! I'd also like to acknowledge their | | | | to swim: looking at a picture of a pool, baby toe in |
| efforts in having both dogs examined by their | | | | the kiddie pool, sitting in the shallow end, wading in |
| veterinarian. That's a very important step to take: | | | | the shallow end, walking around the shallow end, |
| ruling out medical issues when behavioral problems | | | | face in the water for a split second, etc. And not |
| transpire. | | | | being pushed off the high-dive into the deep end |
| Depending on what the goals are, I'd suggest the | | | | with no lifeguard around. It's not the most |
| following dog training tips: | | | | effective way for humans to learn, and I'm sure |
| Consider neutering both dogs (if they haven't | | | | most would agree that dog's don't learn well this |
| done so already). There is a higher incidence of | | | | way either. |
| interdog aggression between intact males, | | | | Short, frequent training sessions mixed in with |
| especially those living under the same roof. | | | | tight management and consistency can certainly |
| There's no guarantee, of course, but it could help. | | | | help dog owners reach their goals. |
| Management of Smokey and Charlie's | | | | |