CAPITAL HUMANE SOCIETY
2320
Canine Rivalry
Copyright Denver Dumb Friends League and Humane
Society of the
What
Is Canine Rivalry?
Canine
rivalry refers to repeated conflicts between dogs living in the same household.
Animals that live in social groups establish a social structure within the
group called a dominance hierarchy. This dominance hierarchy normally serves to
maintain order, reduce conflict and promote cooperation among group members.
Conflicts arise between household dogs when there is instability in the
hierarchy, that is, when the ranking or social position of each dog is not clear
or is in contention. Initially, dogs may only snarl, growl or snap without injuring
each other. Sometimes, however, the conflict may intensify into prolonged bouts
of dangerous fighting which may result in one or both dogs being injured.
Getting
Professional Help
Ongoing
canine rivalry is potentially dangerous since the dogs could be severely
injured, as well as family members, if they become the object of redirected
aggression when the dogs are fighting. Because resolving rivalry problems
requires managing the dogs’ somewhat complex social behaviors, it’s often
necessary for owners to obtain assistance from a professional animal behaviorist
(see our handout: “A Guide to Finding
Professional Help for Animal Behavior Problems”). Animal behaviorists are
trained to observe, interpret and modify animal behavior.
Why
Conflict Occurs
Conflicts
between household dogs usually develop when the ranking of each dog is not
clear or is in contention. This may occur if:
·
You attempt to treat both dogs equally,
rather than supporting the dominant dog’s position.
·
You interrupt or interfere with the
dominant dog's ability to control the preferred items (food, toys, beds,
attention) in his environment by giving preferential treatment to the
subordinate dog(s).
·
You prevent the dogs from expressing the
signals and ritualized behaviors that establish dominance.
·
A new animal has been introduced into
the house.
·
A resident animal has died or no longer
lives in the house.
·
A resident animal is re-introduced after
an absence.
·
A young, subordinate dog reaches social
maturity (usually between ten months and two years of age).
·
A dominant dog ages and cannot maintain
his dominant status.
Understanding
Dominance Behavior And Social Structure
You
cannot choose which dog you want to be dominant. The dogs will establish this
among themselves, and any attempt to interfere may result in increased
conflict. Where each dog ranks in the dominance hierarchy is determined by the
outcomes of interactions between the dogs themselves.
·
Determining which dog
is dominant: Individual
personality, as well as breed characteristics, are
important factors. The dog that demands to be fed first, petted first and
through the door first is usually the dominant dog. Remember that the rankings
may be different in different contexts (one dog may control food, while another
may control resting places) and they may change over time.
·
How dominance is
established: Dogs usually establish their dominance
hierarchies through a series of ritualized behaviors that include body postures
and vocalizations that don’t result in injury. One dog may "stand over"
another by placing his paws or neck on the shoulders of the other. However,
because of past experiences, inadequate socialization or genetic temperament
tendencies some dogs may, with very little warning, escalate dominance displays
into aggression. If this occurs, call our Dog Behavior Helpline at 402-441-4488
or your veterinarian for a referral to a professional animal behaviorist.
Dealing
With Rivalry Problems
·
If the dogs involved are intact males or
females, spay or neuter both dogs.
·
Determine each dog's dominance status
relative to each other. Remember, this ranking is based on the behavior of the
dogs, and not what ranking you prefer.
·
Support the dominance hierarchy. You
need to support whatever dominance hierarchy or "pecking order" your
dogs establish for themselves. Don't undermine their
hierarchy by attempting to treat them equally or by preventing the dominant dog
from asserting his position. Dominant dogs can, and should, be allowed to take
toys away from subordinate dogs, to push in to receive attention and petting
from the owner, to control favorite sleeping places, toys and other valuable
resources (from the dogs’ point of view). Support the dominant dog's status by
allowing this to occur.
·
Make sure that all of the humans in your
household occupy the top of the dominance hierarchy by practicing “Nothing in
Life is Free” (see our handout: “Nothing
in Life is Free”). This provides stability at the top of the dominance
hierarchy, which will help the dogs sort out their lower places in the pecking
order more peacefully.
·
Never, under any circumstances,
attempt to break up a fight between dogs by grabbing their collars or inserting
any of your body parts between them. If you feel you must break up a fight
between dogs, do so by squirting them with a hose (outdoors), or squirting them
with a vinegar/water mixture from a squirt bottle (indoors).
·
With the help of a professional animal
behaviorist, elicit and reinforce non-aggressive behaviors using counter
conditioning and desensitization techniques. These procedures must be designed
and tailored to specifically meet the needs of each individual case and require
professional in-home help.
·
You should be aware that if you respond
to this type of problem inappropriately, you run the risk of intensifying the
problem and potentially causing injury to yourself, your dogs or both.
Punishment
Will Not Solve The Problem
Punishment
can actually make the problem worse. We encourage you to seek assistance from your
veterinarian regarding: spaying and neutering your pet; evaluating the health
status of your dogs; and for a referral to a professional animal behaviorist.
Rivalry and fighting problems can usually be resolved so that you and your dogs
can live together in peace.