2 DOGS

Question
I HAVE 2 DOGS. THEIR NAMES ARE REMIX AND FLAVA. THEY ARE BOTH BLACK LAB FEMALES. THEY ARE GREAT DOGS. WE'VE HAD THEM SINCE THEY WERE 8 WEEKS OLD WHICH WAS ABOUT THREE YEARS AGO. EVERYONE WHO KNOWS MY DOGS SAY THEY ARE MIXED WITH PIT (THEY LOOK LIKE THEY HAVE PIT IN THEM) BUT THE VET SAYS THEY AREN'T. THE LADY WHO WE GOT THEM FROM SAID THEY WERE NOT MIXED WITH PIT BUT THE ONLY DOGS SHE HAD WAS THE MOM AND A PIT. HERE'S THE PROBLEM: WE TOOK THEM TO A DOG PARK. THEY USED TO GO THEIR ALL THE TIME AND THEY LOVED IT. WE HAD MOVED AND THE DOG PARK WAS FAR SO THEY STOPPED GOING FOR ABOUT A YEAR. A MONTH AGO WE MOVED AGAIN AND WE LIVE DOWN THE STREET FROM ANOTHER DOG PARK. SO ONE DAY WE TOOK THEM. AFTER BEING THEIR FOR LITERALLY 30 SECONDS THEY ATTACKED ANOTHER DOG AND WE HAD TO LEAVE. WHAT CAN I DO TO MAKE THEM MORE USED TO DOGS AND NOT ATTACK THEM. THEIR VET IS AN EXPERT AND SAYS THEY DON'T HAVE PIT IN THEM BUT THEY HAVE BAD ATTITUDES AND TRY TO ATTACK EVERYTHING. WHAT CAN I DO? THEY HAVE HIP DYSPLASIA AND THE VET SAYS EXERCISE IS GOOD FOR THEM AND I WOULD LOVE TO TAKE THEM TO THE DOG PARK BUT I CAN'T WHAT CAN I DO?

Answer
Dear KeAra,
Thanks for the question. Sorry to hear of your troubles.

Teaching two, 3 year old dogs to relax and play nice at the dog park is an enormous task, but it can be done. Teaching someone how to handle their dogs and work through these type behaviors is impossible to do online. I'll give you a sort of overview of the steps.

You'll need some on-site help. Visit http://www.apdt.com and search for a trainer near you that works with dog-dog aggression.  

One of the most difficult aspects is that you have to teach them individually. Once both of them are trained and have practiced alone, you start all over again with both dogs at once.

First, avoid all situations that trigger the behavior- no more dog park trips. If they fence-run (chase people or dogs along their fence), you'll have to stop that as well. If they bark out-of-control at the UPS truck, you'll have to stop that too. Basically, you'll need to prevent them from practicing their aggressive behaviors in all situations.

You'll need to have a very clear owner-pet communication system in place. Visit this web link to read the article written by a vet behaviorist. This is the first step in treating any behavioral problem.
http://www.vin.com/VINDBPub/SearchPB/Proceedings/PR05000/PR00470.htm

Next, you teach them to relax -not when other dogs are nearby but when they can succeed. Once that is accomplished, you can start working with them when other dogs are far enough away for your girls to see them- but not close enough for your girls to become aggressive. Remember, you must work with each dog individually.

You'll perform exercises and give Remix and Flava plenty of practice staying calm around other dogs - at a distance. You'll pay them for being calm with food, attention and touch. Over time, you can work closer and closer to the other dogs.

Do they know any obedience commands? If not, you'll need to teach them the basics, Attention, Sit, Down, Stay, Come, Leave-it, Go-To-Place, Heel.

You can get some details about the exercises in the book, Fight! by Jean Donaldson.

It is a tough situation. You might end up having to manage their behaviors- that is keep them away from other dogs. If they play together nicely, maybe you can find a area for them to exercise together.

Happy Training!

Alan J Turner
Owner: How's Bentley, Memphis, TN
http://howsbentley.com

Editor: Animal News Network
An animal digital resource
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