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My dogs dont get along at all!

18 17:05:01

Question
We adopted Bella, a corgi mix, 4 yrs ago. She was 6 weeks old when we got her, and she has been great.
Back in June we decided to adopt another puppy, Zoey. She is a beagle corgi mix. They we ok at first but then Zoey started jumping on Bella. Bella knew she was a puppy and let it go.
Now 5 months later, they have full out fights all the time. Zoey is a little bigger than Bella and still jumps on top of her and bites her.
For the past 5 months we have been trying to get them to get along, trying training method after training method. Nothing has worked. We have to kept them separated. We want to be able to have them both out in the house or in the backyard at the same time but they just don't get along.
We love them both and don't want to give Zoey up. We called the rescue and the lady was really mean and was saying that if we couldn't take care of her why did we get her?
Zoey is completely up to date on all of her shots and isn't yet spayed because she is just a little bit too young.We really love her and if we have to give her away we want to make sure that she is in a loving home and is being taken care of.
We can't live with two dogs that don't get along. We just don't know what to do.... Please help us or head us in the right direction.
If you know of any inexpensive trainers in the Albany, NY area who can help please let us know.
Thank You in advance.

Answer
Hi Samantha, I am pleased to hear that you are serious about getting help for dogs that you decided to adopt. That is wonderful and do not let that crabby person deter you. Most local pet supermarkets offer obedience classes and they are very inexpensive. You can also ask vets, groomers, kennel clubs and boarding facilities to recommend good trainers or behaviorists to you. You could also find a good canine behaviorist to come to your home and give you some help addressing the behaviors of both dogs. One thing you can do right away which will be free and is a great tool to help solve such a problem is walking. Take both dogs out for long walks at the heel together. You do not have to have them in perfect obedience position, just have them walk next you you at the heel. You can do it by yourself with a dog on each side, next to each other, or have someone else assist you. By walking them daily (at least) will exercise their bodies and minds, as well as establish your pack leadership. The walks will unlock their minds, keep them focused on you and make them easier to handle during your training exercises if you work with them immediately after the walk. By establishing yourself as the only pack leader in their world, really takes the burden off them and tell them that you have control over any dominance issues. Bear in mind that this is a phase that they are going through. The younger dog is going to be very open to training at her age, so you should take advantage this by pushing lot of new things her way. The home is not proper exercise even if you have acres of land, the walk works body and mind while they are focused on you alone and your leadership really sinks in at that time. If you have had Zoey for five months, she should be old enough to be spayed. Ask local vets, most will spay them around four to six months of age. Please do not wait. Please leave me some feedback and follow-up to let me know how things are going.  Take a deep breath and remember that this too will pass. Thank you for writing. Regards, Susan