Dog trainers? Having socialization issues

[netty2424]

Any dog trainers out there?

My girlfriend just moved in and brought her dog. My boxer and him aren't getting along and my boxer has 35lbs on him. Afraid it might turn bad and he gets hurt or worse? She's got a little cocker/poodle mix, he wouldn't stand a chance.

Tried a couple different ways to introduce them, but still having some issues.

Anyone have some good methods to curtain the fighting?

 

[buellbradski]

Call cesar milan ? My little basset want a peice out any dog that will stand ground against him. But for whatever reason if the other dog is fixed there doesnt seem to be a problem. Think its just a territory issue . Have you just tried to keep the two seperate on leash's ? Close enuff to read eachother not close enuff to sniff ass or bite. Give m time to adjust to one another hopefully they can just adapt to the change and get along. Good luck bud

 

[bentlife]

Bring them for lots of walks together then take them both to a dog park are your backyard let them off the leash there before your bring them inside. Once you bring them inside and they do fight ,stop the fight but do not separate the dogs in dif rooms. That's the worst thing you could do, stop the fight and show the dog who's starting the fight that he is doing something wrong then let them both go again do this untill they don't fight, but seriously the worst thing you can absolutey do is separate the dogs. I have 3 dogs one of them being fairly new and my pit hated the new one, I did that now there best friends. Also you should give them both a place( a dog bed) and teach them that thats there place if my dogs ever do something wrong I just tell them place and they bolt to
There bed.

 

[icecoldcoasty]

i have a boxer pitt mix that had some issues with other dogs. i also do training on some aggressive dogs at the local shelter. the best way to get them to socialize better is take them to a neutral area where there is no perception of this is my territory. Then walk them both on leashes until they are tired. when you take them home also keep them on leashes and walk them around the yard. they best way to stop dominance of 2 dogs is to make them equal and make yourself as the alpha. You sound like a great responsible owner. It will take some work to get them to get along, but if you are diligent and keep a watchful eye on them they will eventually get along. just make sure not to show favoritism and make sure to establish the tour the boss.

 

[netty2424]

Thanks guys we're trying! All good advice. We've been trying to do the walk think on neutral ground and they seem to do good on the walks, but when we get home that's when it all goes down. I adopted my boxer so I'm not sure what she's capable of and being such a size difference, it could end quickly for the little guy. I bought muzzles for both dogs and thought about just letting them sort it out, but I don't want them to assume aggression is ok.

We are doing all these things including separating them? What is the downside to separating them?

To give you an idea behind what we're doing outside of walks, we essentially are keeping them completely separate for the time being to a just get them used to the smells and the fact that there is a new animal in the house. We keep the little dog in the kennel and let the boxer sort of feel him out, but when she gets to close, the cocker goes ape sh$t and then the boxer reacts the same.

I've contacted a local dog trainer but we can't get her here until Tuesday.

 

[bentlife]

Separating the dogs after they fight shows the dog that was winning dominance, by taking the dog and punishing him but keeping him in the same room shows him that he is doing something wrong.

 

[icecoldcoasty]

dont keep one locked up and one loose either. it shows favoritism and creates jealous tendencies. it is best to keep them in the same room as eachother but keep them on a short leash and show them that they have to get along but do it in a controlled enviroment. training dogs is all about confidence in the owner and showing that your the boss( <--does not mean beat the dog). display dominance to both dogs but you have to think like a dog. look at how wolf packs work or any pack animals in nature and base you training off of that.

 

[netty2424]

Separating the dogs after they fight shows the dog that was winning dominance, by taking the dog and punishing him but keeping him in the same room shows him that he is doing something wrong.

Makes sense! Eff me, I've been doing it wrong all weekend!

display dominance to both dogs but you have to think like a dog

I've tried many ways to display dominance and have never had issues with her and other dogs, but this boxer gets fixated on the cocker and I can't break it so before it escalates I just remove her from the situation.

And then that goes back to the separation thing again.

I think I'm going to duct tape their collars together, throw them in a room, and let them sort it out! (just kidding)

I've got a trainer coming over tomorrow night. Hopefully this gets worked out!

Thanks for the tips guys! Much needed advice [up]

 

[icecoldcoasty]

hope it works out for you. when you see her lock eyeson the little dog you need to distract her even if you have to gram her head and make her turn and look at you. if you break the stare then the rest is history. to put them into a submissive state dont slam em but place them on the ground (preferbly on her back) and place your self above her. neaking works best. by having her on her back it is submissive because it allows you access to all her vital organs. this may help but good luck. hope it all works out for you.

 

[garyphantom222]

My wife and I have two Golden retriever,husky,and a touch of wolf mixed,each of them weigh about 150 pounds alone,we trained them from puppies to adulthood and you do have to be firm with them while in training,the only issue we run into is they are very territorial and will try to get any animals that happen to stray into the fenced in backyard such as cats ect.,but for the most part they do as they are told without fuss.

 

[FIDOSOL]

Here's a few links that can help point you in the right direction, all of the advice given so far is good advice.

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/articles/linksbehavior.htm

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/care.htm

These were an invaluable asset to me in the past. The site also has extensive information on a massive variety of dog breeds. History, health concerns, life expectancy, etc.