Sibling Aggression

Question
We have two male sibling dogs that are 2 yrs 11 mos old. They have ben fixed. The are a boxer/ bird dog / pit mix (that is they way they were explained to us.) From what I have read, they act and look like boxers. They turn on each other very quickly and with their size it is impossible for my wife to separate them. Also, they seem to act different when I am around. How can my wife get them to act the same way. Also, what can we do to curb this aggression? Is there a command to teach them to stop when the go off on each other. They respond very well to my voice but not so much my wife's. Any adivce is vey much appreciated.

Answer
I can recommend on the Boxer personality-- however, not as familiar with the other breeds they are mixed with.

But, the "alpha" is suppose to be you and your wife-- not them. And that is what they are fighting over-- to be the alpha.

Males will constantly challenge one another for the alpha position- and the winner becomes the alpha. Until the next challenge and winner.

To become the alpha-- you and your wife both need to share in this (especially your wife) exercise to establish the alpha position in the household/pack: you, your wife, and both dogs are a "pack."


At meal time;

Make both dogs sit before you (or your wife) and watch you.

Place both their food bowls on the counter or table.

Place cookies or crackers (or any snack) on the counter or table BEHIND the dog food bowls.

Stand, not looking at them- no eye contact whatsoever, while eating the cookies or crackers (or snacks)...

When you (or your wife) is finished, place their food bowls down on the floor and tell them it is okay to eat now.

In the wild, a pack of wild dogs, wolves, lions, etc., have an alpha leader. The alpha eats first and all he wants while the pack watches and waits patiently for permission to eat.

When the alpha has finished, and if there is anything left over, the alpha gives the pack permission to eat.

This trick, if practices religiously for a month, will prove you and your wife are the alphas in the pack... not the dogs. They are the submissive ones.

Also, when they fight, if possible, and this is important, you & your wife both if possible, make each one lay down on the ground/floor in a submissive position-- physically hold them down (separate from one another of course) and keep them down on their backs for 2-3 minutes while reprimanding in a firm alpha voice-- something like "no- down- submit."

The alpha in the wild will attack a submissive in the pack and hold them down until they submit to them as a reprimand, chastising them for bad behavior and unacceptable behavior.