I've been having to keep 2 of my 3 dogs separated from each other for about the past month or so now. Fero (3yrs) was starting fights with Sampson(1.5yrs). Sampson the way he acts is obviously afraid of Fero at this point. The problem is when I go to let Sampson out for play, potty, whatever Fero starts whining, barking in his cage to get out too. So Sampson is quiet before I let him out because I tell him to quiet but as soon as I give the ok to get out of cage he runs out with tail up, sometimes hackles, growling, going around the corner to the door all in a uproar. How can I teach him not to do this? Any Suggestions? I was thinking I could put Feros cage upstairs in a spare bedroom I have but will this make him feel banished or is that just human thinking? Should I put Sampson on a leash before coming out of the cage to maybe make him feel more secure? I dont think correcting Sampson for it would solve anything-I feel letting sampson keep doing this behavior without doing something about it is not helping the situation-

Put him on a leash and prong and correct him when he does it.

This is kind of weird sort-of-related-sort-of-not sidenote: I had this problem a lot of times when I let one of my males out and the others were crated. I can't believe it, but this stupid gimmick actually works ...I got one of those Dog Silencer Pro things to see if it would shut Simon up. He is my 18mo old who continues to scream in the crate, as he has since day one, to no avail. He has to be the most stubborn dog I have ever met. I bought it to see if I could sleep in peace. I never expected it to do anything but possibly quiet him down just a notch.

Also, my dogs often get into staring contests, which lead to growling, which lead to really loud fights while crated. The other day, a crate was moved so far that it broke my laundry sink pipe. This doesn't happen while I'm in there with them, of course, but I can hear them sometimes in the middle of the night, and I come home to find evidence (ruined crates, crates that are several feet from where I left them, hoarse voices, etc.)

I felt like such an idiot for buying this thing, but I'm telling you, I haven't heard a peep since Thursday night at 6pm when I plugged it in. Part of why I'm sharing this is that I think it has improved relations w/those 3, also, b/c they are getting out of the habit of acting like they want to kill eachother every time someone passes by. The first 2 days, they would silently bare teeth at each other. Now, they can all walk right past any other kennel w/out even glancing inside, and there's silence from the occupant, as well.

I know this isn't really what you asked, but it might be worth a try if they're crated near each other when you're not around. Your situation is similar to mine, so I thought I would share. The obvious thing is to move them where they can't see each other, but that's not realistic in my situation.

Barking is self-rewarding for many dogs, and I think they are probably doing it when you're not there, and getting some kind of satisfaction from it. Otherwise, just do what I said w/a leash and prong. That works, too.

I am keeping my two boys separate for the most part right now as well. When they are together, or even within sight of eacother Yote is on a leash, he is the aggressor and also the one who has the least training and self control.

I can control Loki with my voice and facial expressions, but Yote needs to be on a lead with a prong to be fully under control and to make sure I can correct him for aggressing.

Loki will sometimes hackle or tense up, but he is doing this out of fear so I do not correct. I am working on building his confidence in himself and regaining his confidence in me as the pack leader.

http://www.ultimatebarkcontrol.com/ds_pro.htm

do you mean something like this thing? So its really working huh? Might definitely be an option because the toughest thing so far (besides the fact that they dont like each other anymore) is the barking and whining when ones out and the other not.
But your opinion is to correct Sampson when he comes out of the crate acting like that? I thought about it but didnt know since to me hes acting that way out of fear but I guess it still is not appropriate whatever it is. So do you think the cage upstairs for Fero is bad idea? I didnt like it because he wouldnt be down where I'm at, noise, tv, etc. but then again I may be humanizing what I think he would be feeling (all alone upstairs by himself) Geesh.....

Hi Jennifer,

Yes, sampson is low on the self confidence scale!! I need to work on his confidence for sure, he really likes obedience and is very smart so I'm working on that-I'd like to make some agility obstacles in the spring when we thaw out here, I took Fero thur agility classes in California and they do enjoy that - I think his lack of confidence is part genetics maybe and part allowing Fero to harass him for the past year and half- when I look back now there were signs that was going on but I thought it was "normal" behavior with younger dogs (I always seem to have to learn the hard way It's definitely going to be a work in progress for awhile ..... Glad to know I'm not alone anyway

I should have been more clear. I do believe he's acting that way b/c he is intimidated. Try to correct Fero if he's "starting" it, if possible. Do you have an e-collar? You need to get creative since you are alone. If you have an e-collar, you could theoretically correct both at the same time. Try just correcting Fero first and see if Samson still acts up. If he's simply being defensive, he may not, and your problem is solved. If not, and he continues, you have him on a prong (or DD, or whatever) and you can correct him, too.

The one I have is made by a company called Good Life, Inc. I got it on ebay. Can't believe the cheap-looking green plastic thing actually works on my stubborn beasts. I'm still not over the embarrassement of buying it...

 Quote: Kathy West

I've been having to keep 2 of my 3 dogs separated from each other for about the past month or so now. Fero (3yrs) was starting fights with Sampson(1.5yrs). Sampson the way he acts is obviously afraid of Fero at this point. The problem is when I go to let Sampson out for play, potty, whatever Fero starts whining, barking in his cage to get out too. So Sampson is quiet before I let him out because I tell him to quiet but as soon as I give the ok to get out of cage he runs out with tail up, sometimes hackles, growling, going around the corner to the door all in a uproar. How can I teach him not to do this? Any Suggestions? I was thinking I could put Feros cage upstairs in a spare bedroom I have but will this make him feel banished or is that just human thinking? Should I put Sampson on a leash before coming out of the cage to maybe make him feel more secure? I dont think correcting Sampson for it would solve anything-I feel letting sampson keep doing this behavior without doing something about it is not helping the situation-

I'd put Sampson on a leash on the way out of the crate and march him out, not allowing the running around, rushing, growling, etc.

It sounds like every time he comes out, maybe a big deal is made by him and reinforced by you... ? If he was on a leash and you were absolutely calm (which you could be because he's leashed), the level of excitement should go waaaay down.

 Quote: Connie Sutherland

I'd put Sampson on a leash on the way out of the crate and march him out, not allowing the running around, rushing, growling, etc.

It sounds like every time he comes out, maybe a big deal is made by him and reinforced by you... ? If he was on a leash and you were absolutely calm (which you could be because he's leashed), the level of excitement should go waaaay down.

Would you correct him if he acts up? This came up after my initial suggestion to just walk him out on leash. It was brought up that it may be fear aggression b/c of Fero's behavior.

To me this does not sound like fear aggression, if the dog's tail is up and he is "charging around in an uproar" that, to me, does not say fear. Fear aggression is a reactive aggression, not an active aggression unless learned, even then the body language gives it away as fear based.

Sounds like an OB issue, I agree to put him on a leash and not allow the behavior. But give him an opportunity to do the right thing, give a command to distract him before he gets in a tizzy, praise proper behavior and correct unwanted aggression.

 Quote: Kathy West

http://www.ultimatebarkcontrol.com/ds_pro.htm

side note: but does this work? My dog has been barking alot more lately. Will the no bark collar make him not want to bark when I need him to?