Do I need to treat my 3 dogs like they are each a new dog to the pack in order to fix my pack issues?

Question

Ed,

I have read tons of your articles and will watch the DVDs, but I need to know right away if I need to treat my 3 dogs like they are each a new dog to the pack in order to fix my pack issues. I read the groundwork articles, but you seem to specifically talk about when you get a new dog and I need to fix problems with the three I already have. I couldn't find any articles about how to begin fixing the mess I am already in. I have a 12 yo neutered Lab/Pit Bull, a 6 yo spayed Pit Bull, and a 3 year old spayed Carolina Dog. 99% of the time, we are a well-functioning pack, but the Carolina Dog and Pit Bull have had a few altercations and the last has made me fear for my Carolina Dog's life. Now mind you, the Carolina Dog is instigating the altercations. I could write for hours explaining her strange behaviors and how friendly my PB is, etc but I know you have heard it all. I am willing to follow your instructions to the letter, but I want to make sure I am starting on the right step with an existing pack.

But a bit of background, the Labrabull has been through obedience training and achieved CGC, but I have been lazy in keeping him tuned up. The PB was diagnosed with hip dysplasia at 8 months. She went to basic obedience, but we discontinued obedience drills/repetition because it seemed painful for her. She is now a spoiled princess, but is still friendly with all people and other dogs, except the CD on rare occasions. The CD is everything a stereotypical CD is. I believe her parents may have been feral. She is still learning how to be a domestic dog but I have to learn to be a better pack leader. I know that I was unprepared for her challenge when we got her, and I regret not doing something sooner, but I am ready to fix this!

Thank you sincerely,
Liz

Accepted Answer

Dog owners often misunderstand the fact that 3 dogs are a dog pack. Two dogs are not. The pack instincts are dramatically increased with three dogs – especially if they are not well supervised. Problems can and often do come up over a period of time – as dogs mature and test their position in the pack. Remember in the wild – pack leadership develops over time. Often when older dogs weaken younger dogs test them – that's when fights develop. What needs to be said is this is not the case with every 3 dog pack – but you have found that it happens with some. I have a folder full of emails from people who chose to ignore the signs of problems and ended up with a dead dog.

We have dogs house dogs that are never together. Each dog has his own dog crate and they are never out at the same time. This is what needs to happen. This is all covered in Establishing Pack Structure with the Family Pet DVD (the article is only a small part of the information that's needed).

Our dogs are also well trained. The CGC is a joke. It has nothing to do with the kind of control required for pack structure issues. When people have behavioral problems like you have – they need to go back to square one and start the training from scratch. Basic Dog Obedience.

Regards,
Ed Frawley