younger boxer/older boston aggression issues

Question
We have a 12 year old Boston Terrier that was always the alpha male when we had 2 BTs.  After one died, we got a boxer who is now a year and a half.  The boxer (Zeus) by nature is extremely docile and loving, albeit playful.  The Boston (Max) is cranky and cantankerous and not aging gracefully.  Since Zeus was a puppy, Max has continued to be the alpha and we feed them separately because Max has no patience for Zeus when it comes to food.  He will often initiate a fight if Zeus even walks near him while eating (not smart when you are 20 pounds and the other guy is 70)  Up until a couple of weeks ago, we could keep it calm as long as we fed them separately.  Now, we have to watch them because randomly (but mostly within a half hour after eating) Zeus will actually initiate it out of the blue.  He'll go looking for Max after they eat.  When they aren't fighting, Max will "groom" Zeus and Zeus is basically just a big loving baby. My question is 1) what's causing the reverse aggression?  2) what do we do?  We wondered if it wasn't Zeus trying to establish dominance as Max becomes more fragile? A neighbor suggested that boxers hold grudges and Zeus is tired of Max being a bully?

TIA!
Rachel

Answer
Rachel,

No, dogs do not hold "grudges" and remember by experience, association, and what takes place in the order of things in their pack. 2 dogs is a pack.

Max is alpha, and Zeus knows that. That doesn't mean Zeus won't challenge him for the alpha position, and if he wins, he becomes alpha. But, I don't think that is what is happening here.

Max's aggression is typical of most Boston Terrier's, and, aging ones. Also, he has been the alpha and "surrogate" dad to Zeus.

As in any situation, say, a female, that a pup is introduced into the family, she will adopt the puppy and mother it, teach it, raise it as her own.

Max has done the same; i.e. the "grooming." He is raising Zeus.

He has the "right" to be aggressive, as he is teaching Zeus that he is the dad and the alpha too. That is why he grooms him one minute, then is aggressive the next- teaching him that he eats first (the alpha does) and Zeus eats last. That's the order of things in a pack. Unless you, change it.

You need to be the alpha, not Max. You need to challenge Max for alpha and win, then become the alpha. Then both will follow your lead and stop the competition of alpha and follower.

Zeus is behaving to what he has learned. He learned from Max that aggression follows eating. And when Max is not aggressive following eating times, Zeus initiates it because that is what Max has always taught by example. He is doing what he learned to do. A bad habit- but what Zeus thinks is normal in the pack.

You need to modify both of their behavior.

At feeding time, put food in both of their bowls and do not put them down yet.

Maintain your own personal space while doing this.

What you will have is two dogs sitting and watching you prepare their food, even fighting between one another for the right to sit and watch and be the first to get their bowl.

So, buy a loud, obnoxious sounding whistle.

At feeding time, when preparing their food in their bowls, while they sit and watch, and begin any aggression: stop, blow the whistle, getting their startled attention, and verbally order them to stop and sit.

Then, when they do, continue to "prepare" (act like you are} their food bowls. Maintain your personal space by keeping them sitting at least 2 foot away from you.

If either one, or both, come closer than the 2 foot-boundary, blow your whistle, and put each one back into the 2- foot mark area, and do not allow them to come any closer.

This can take some time, over and over again, until they sit where they are suppose to, and not be aggressive.

Be patient. It isn't about you feeding them at the moment, it is about you become and asserting your alpha position.

You are establishing the alpha position. You are demanding and maintaining the 2-foot personal space. They are the followers and cannot break the boundary.

Once you feel confident they are obeying, place the bowls down for them to eat.

Stand and watch and be prepared.

Do not allow one to cross-eat to the other's bowl, and do not allow any signs of aggression.

The moment they show signs of aggression, blow the whistle, remove the food bowls back to the counter, and verbally reprimand them in a stern, assertive alpha voice.

Continue this.

They both will learn by association and seeing- and example of you.

They will see that you are alpha. You demand personal space. You designate when to eat- allowing them when putting their bowls down. You designate their behavior- no cross-eating, no aggression. You designate punishment if one disobeys- no food.

This can take a month to achieve because their behavior has become a learned behavior and routine for them. You are breaking that routine and teaching them a new behavior.

If you feel more comfortable with having control, have 2 leashes ready on stand by. The minute the aggression begins, leash the aggressor, and remove him from the scene. If you have a crate, put him inside for 3 minutes.

Or, my preference, simply leash him and walk him away from the scene and make him sit (by command) in his designated area out of your personal space. This is a "physical" follow-up if needed.

Let me know how it is going while establishing your alpha position and maintaining your feeding time personal space.

The whistle should help: it signals the sound by association to the behavior at the time, and that it is a disapproval sound from you-- the alpha.