Hello,
I have a 11-12 year old male neutered black lab with bad back legs. He had acl surgery years ago and has hip displasia so legs are not so great.Otherwise a great dog, had him since a puppy. We rescued a puppy a little over a year ago from a junk yard. About 3 month old black terrier mix not neutered male. They got along for over a year. About 3 weeks ago I let the dogs out after work in the yard as usual and after a few minutes went by the door to bring them in to eat and they got into a fight over something on the ground outside (food something) I watched this but was a wee bit shocked dont know who started . I ran out yelling, I broke the fight up grabbed the little guy and screamed at my big dog to go away by the door . I stood there for over 1/2 hour waiting for my husband would not let the dog loose from my hold in fear they would go at it again. When my husband came home we seperated the dogs put little 1 in the crate. My bid dog had a small nip near his neck nothing severe thank god i seem to have gotten more bruised .My husband let them unite for awhile after this and it was okay. But i was a nervous wreck. Since then i wanted to get rid of the puppy. The only place that would take him is the shelter who will kill him. He is a good dog not to be put down. We then got him neutered last week since then nothig But 2 days after the neuter my big dog was going to sniff him towards the rear the little dog wanted to attack but husband and I were right there and stopped what may have been another fight. I know the little guy was and is hurting from the surgery so that brought that on. I am thinking of bringing in a trainer to my home . Do you think this is the right thing or is there no hope for the 2 to coexist . I am also still leary when they go near each other. I am trying but its hard to get over that incident outside that day.
please help me with any advice
Thanks Donna

Donna, for the trainer to be of any help they should have experience with aggression.

What sort of training have both dogs had?

You don't know for sure who started the first fight but I will tell you that yelling is not the best thing It can be difficult not to but yelling only feeds the dogs with that angry/scared energy and you were lucky to not get bit.

Keep the dogs separate. Tether and crate the younger dog, work on pack structure and leave leashes or long lines on the dogs if you have them together and strictly supervise all interaction. At this point I don't recommend having them together. Work on the Nothing In Life Is Free method for both dogs.

I would look into a trainer that knows how to deal with aggressive dogs to do an evaluation but the best thing right now is to keep the dogs separate and work on pack structure. Obedience sessions, out for potty and walks, tethered to you at all times when out of the crate (one dog at a time, not both together)

The tip on trainer is great.
The big dog was trained by us. Basic training. The little one has really had limited. He sits, paw goes to crate when i tell him, he is house trained. The big dog never was crated. The little one has been since we got him.
I definitly supervise them at all times they do not go out in the yard together unless my husband goes out with them. In the house the dog is in the crate or if I'm in the room I have them loose. I think the yelling part was more to try and get them to stop, but I get it.
I know dogs sense fear, nervous energy I am not in fear by any means of either dog but I am nervous when they are close together.

Donna, I mean have them completely separate for a while. No interaction at all. If the older dog is out young dog in the crate, if the young dog is out have the older dog in another room with the door shut. Pack structure and tethering for the younger dog would be my suggestion.

Have you read the information on pack structure here?

http://www.leerburg.com/ebooks/puppygroundwork.pdf

http://www.leerburg.com/pdf/packstructure.pdf

How to break up a dog fight without getting hurt:
http://www.leerburg.com/pdf/howtobreakupdogfight.pdf

Aggressive Dogs:
http://www.leerburg.com/pdf/dealingwithaggressivedog.pdf

I definately would go overboard protecting the older dog. He has enough health issues to deal with. I agree that your energy could actually esculate a situation.

Easier said than done to stay calm. I think Jennifer is right in keeping them seperate while you work on this.

I absolutely loved the Leerburg Establishing Pack Structure DVD.

I live in Suffolk County Ny ? Does anyone know of any good dog trainers specializing in dog aggression? I have made 2 efforts to get rid of the puppy becasue it is making me a wreck. However the first place local pound would put him down. I will not let that happen he is a great dog. After being on a emotional roller coaster on what to do today we has a appt. with a no kill home who would not take him because he was so scared and they said would hurt himself being in that eviromet.So i am taking this as it was meant to be and will have to get him serious training . If anyone can offer any more assistance that would be great
Donna

sorry...missed the start. Will go read now

 Quote: Michelle Berdusco

... I think Jennifer is right in keeping them seperate while you work on this.

I absolutely loved the Leerburg Establishing Pack Structure DVD.

Separation is crucial.

Whether or not the puppy is a permanent member of the household, you will do well to (1) separate them 100% (easier than it sounds; I assume that you have crates), and (2) work on your groundwork to pack leadership.

Aside from the Pack Structure DVD (which I would order today, if I were you), there are many Podcasts and articles that you can start with immediately. Let me know if you would like links.

I would say that your number 1 priority here is to make certain that no member of your pack lives with anxiety or fear about aggression from another.

You mention being nervous when they are close to each other. Eliminate that situation for now so that you are the 100% calm and in-control pack leader.

JMO.

I have 2 dogs 1 11 years old lab chow and 13 month old terrier mix as i wrote above they got into a fight that kinda got me more so overwhelmed. I have always had 2 dogs all through my adulthood but never had this happen and it got to me. I was probrably more tramatized by it them them. The bid dog never crated but the little was is. Yes I did't understand there reasoning for anything about the dog and when trying to ask them to explain my husband wanted to just leave. I also deep down was glad. They have not had another incident since that 1 but i have made changes too they don't go out together. I need to find a good trainer in my area.

 Quote: donna handy

I have 2 dogs 1 11 years old lab chow and 13 month old terrier mix as i wrote above they got into a fight that kinda got me more so overwhelmed. ... I was probrably more tramatized by it them them. ....

You're responsible for your pack. You are in charge of the aggression rules. While you look for a trainer, I believe that you should be separating them 100% and educating yourself on pack leadership. Nothing that you read on Leerburg or learn in the Leerburg videos about pack leadership is going to go against what a good trainer will have you do. I'd listen to podcasts and read eBooks today.

I keep stressing this because you can change the way you live with these dogs (and your level of anxiety) by establishing yourself as their pack leader. You will be surprised at how quickly you can start to turn around the situation.

They both need the security of solid pack leadership. The puppy, yes, but the older dog does too.