Pet Information > ASK Experts > Dogs > Dogs > Keeping peace between 4 dogs

Keeping peace between 4 dogs

19 11:15:39

Question
Hi,  I have 4 dogs, all pound rescues.  The first, a heeler-mix girl, is 2 and I have had her since she was a puppy.  She is very dominent and hyper.  Then I got a male husky a year ago who was then 1 year and they fell in love. She still mostly dominates although he sometimes does.  Then my daughter got a heeler mix a few months ago who was already 1 1/2, and my heeler started to like him more.  They started to pick on my husky boy sometimes.  The neighbor would hear them fight while I was at work.(They have a huge yard)Husky boy is more submissive.  So I recently got a year old husky girl who started out very submissive, and the only one who was initially mean was my daughter's heeler boy.  Then everyone was very happy, all in the yard together.  The huskies sleep together in one room, and the heelers in another at night.

Now, suddenly when I put all 4 out together, the girls attack each other in full out fight for blood, very difficult to break them up. Plus the boys jump in behind them. I know they are both trying to be the coolest girls, and husky girl is another alpha afterall, but I am at a loss as to how to train them/socialize them.  My heeler girl used to be great at dog parks, but now I have seen this side of her, I don't know...I want to get it all worked out rather than put fences between them.  I appreciate any help.  PS, I was walking them 2 at a time in all combinations til this started.  Now the 2 girls look at each other and the tails go straight up ready for a fight.  Thanks

Answer
Well what will usually work is to let all dogs out in the yard-wearing muzzles,even for some time,it will allow them to sort out there pecking order without any of them being hurt-but only do that when you are around,in case they need a drink ect

For a while when you are out it might be a good idea to separate them,you can do that by putting them in separate rooms,crates or kennels or even a combo of those things until they stop fighting

Also if they are not fixed getting them done will also help