My dogs have started fighting over me!

Question
I have Mallory 3 year old female black lab. Sweetest dog in the world. We also have Happy 4 year old Jack Russell. Also very sweet, just a typical Jack. We have had both for about 2.5 years. Both have been fixed.

They both get along great they play and are best of friends. In the past they would fight over food. Mallory is a food monger. So we feed them separately. I have always
taken them both for a walk at night before bed. Here recently they have started fighting when we walk. What happens is we may stop by the house on our walk and Mallory will go after Happy. As soon a Mallory growls thats Happy's sign to get it on and he charges her and it ends up being a big mess. Happy ends up being the one getting hurt with puncture wounds on the head.

Mallory is very attached to me and the best I can figure out is that she is thinking Happy is getting more attention from me. And doesnt like it.

This has really only started and gotten worse over the past couple weeks. Nothing else has really changed.

What can I do to correct this, I want them back the way there on our walks.

Also to add they stay in the back yard together during the day and never fight. It seems to only happen when either I am around or when there is food involved.

Let me know if you need more information.

Thanks!

Dan  

Answer
Dear Dan,
Thanks for the interesting question. Behavior of dogs that become aggressive near food, toys, specific areas (like kennels or dog bed)people, et cetera is called resource guarding. The aggression could be directed at people or other companion animals.

What's interesting about your situation is that the behavior is only exhibited on walks.

If Mallory were guarding you, it should happen everywhere, not just on walks. Why would she not value your attention in the house, back yard, when you first come home or any other number of places or situations that would normally trigger resource guarding?

With the information you provided, I would not classify the behavior of becoming aggressive during walks as resource guarding. I'm not quite sure what is occurring or why. The food issue is easy enough to identify and manage as you have successfully done. Is there any chance that there are particular items that you come across during your walks that are of high value to Mallory?

Do the dogs (mallory in particular) seem to be "on edge" or at a heightened state of arousal on walks? If so, does this represent a change in behavior?

In any event, you can help reduce inter-dog (same house) aggression by training and performing exercises designed to teach them to be patient while you give the other attention.
Buy the book, Feeling Outnumbered? How to Manage and Enjoy Your Multi-Dog Household.
by Karen B. London, Patricia B. McConnell

Start an obedience training program with both dogs and practice loose lead walking - one dog at a time.

I suggest that you either draft the help of another person during walks or take them on walks individually until you get this sorted out.

You might try a Gentle Leader head collar. Buy the instructional dvd for the head collar as well. It takes practice for you and the dogs to learn about the head collar. You can use it to safely interrupt and thwart any aggression (as long as you are holding the leash).

In addition, you might buy the book, Mine!
by Jean Donaldson. She explains in deatil how to treat resource guarding.

Happy Training!
AT