aggressive lab

Question
Hi. We have 2 18 mo old male lab/husky mix dogs. They are brothers. We have noticed that one is starting to get aggressive with the other. The fur on his back and neck will stand up, ears go back and he growls and bears his teeth at the other dog. This has just started about a week or so ago. Seems to be mostly around their feeding time but I also notice that they do it around me also, almost like one is guarding me and if the other one comes near me they start fighting. Neither of them has been neutered. My husband seems to think that it is me. Meaning it just started happening and they are aggressive around me, not towards me, because it is my time of the month. Is this actually possible? Could this really cause them to be agressive towards each other when I'm around? If I'm not home or in the room for awhile they are fine. They are also crated at night together and never fight, growl or show agression towards each other at all. Any help would be greatly appraciated.

Answer
Hi Kathy,

Unfortunately this is why adopting littermates is generally not a good idea.

If you know the triggers (food, guarding you like you are a steak bone) then it should be easy enough to manage until you can have someone qualified come out to assess. Try www.ccpdt.com

Feed them in separate rooms, if they start to fight over you, walk away.

No, I do not think it has anything to do with your time of the month.

Consider crating them separately it might help. And neuter them both, competing males is nothing you need.