I started to give my dog a medicine called Clomicalm to help with the aggressiveness at the suggestion of my vet. It's not working. What should I do?

Ed,

I recently became a member of the discussion forum and started visiting your site several days ago looking for as much information as possible on dog on dog aggression. I have ordered your Basic Obedience Video and a prong collar in the hopes that these two might help my situation. If you don't mind, here is a little background:

I have a 2 year old Chow-Shephard Mix. I own my home and recently had a roommate move in with a male Chocolate Lab 1 1/2 years old that is not neutered. Unfortunately I did not socialize them or implement some of the early strategies you suggest throughout your website. I have now read everything on your website that is available concerning aggressive dog behavior. When the two dogs were first introduced, things seemed to be okay. But once they moved in (2 months now) the fighting started. At first it was due to obvious problems such as feeding in the same area, sharing a water bowl, toys in their mutual area. We have eliminated all of these problems. They are no longer fed anywhere near each other. Food and toys are not left out and they have separate water bowls. They sleep in the respective owners rooms.

While the fighting has become less frequent, it still occurs. I even have started giving my dog a medicine called Clomicalm (40 mg) to help with the aggressiveness at the suggestion of my vet. Neither dog has been hurt yet, but the fighting gets to such a point that I have to break it up in order to end it. Luckily after reading your article on breaking up fights I now know how to do it better. Neither dog is submitting during the fighting. At first I thought that it was normal for the two to be fighting given that they are both males and it is my dog's home since birth. But there are some serious jealousy issues. I cannot even touch the other dog without my dog wanting to fight.

Another mistake on my part is that they have been left unattended in the backyard together, which is going to end since you say that that is not a good idea.

I guess I have a pack issue going on. The funny thing is at times they play very well together and seem to enjoy each other's company, but at other times, my dog attacks my roommates dog for no apparent reason. Once they start fighting my dog will not listen to my commands.

I guess my Question on Dog Fights to you is, do you think that with some more training on my part with my dog and possibly the use of a prong collar when the dogs are together to show my dog that fighting is not appropriate nor will be tolerated that this problem will resolve itself? Otherwise I am going to have to ask my roommate (who I like) to find a new place because I cannot handle the fighting much longer.

I know that there is no easy solution, but I would greatly appreciate your insight into this matter.

Sincerely,
Deidre