I have two 10 month old lab/terrier mix puppies. They were together all the time, until at about 4 months, they had a huge fight that drew blood. I realized that they would hurt each other, if given a chance. I seperated them in two 6x10 kennels, letting them out to exercise individually. I later realized that they were trying to establish who the alpha would be and that I needed to help them along with that. For various reasons, I decided that the bigger dog would be the alpha and I started to treat her that way, ie feeding her first, petting her first, letting her exercise first,etc. Also, recently, I have started to let them run around our big yard together to see what would happen. Well, they dart out of the kennels full speed and run all over the yard for at least 10 minutes side by side, nipping at each other. It seems like the alpha dog is the aggressor trying to alpha roll the other dog, and it seems like the submissive dog is trying to nip back as if to say, "stop biting me and trying to roll me". After about 10 minutes, the tire and slow down and then lay in the grass. However, as soon as one of them gets up and starts moving, the other one goes after them and the running and nipping start all over. I have done this everyday for about a week, and their have been no fights at all. Not even close. I am doing this so that the alpha dog will clearly establish itself as the alpha dog.

I have been slowly training them using the leerburg techniques. My goal is to get them to stay on command, sit on command, and come on command. I am going through the different levels. I also want to get to the point where I can let them run around without them hurting each other, even if they are playing. I am currently at the stage of training where they know the commands and I can get them to do the commands fairly consistant, however I must use a prong collar.

Here's my question. Am I hurting their training or giving them mixed signals by allowing them to run around without a leash for 10-15 minutes a day? Also, I don't want them to feel that as soon as a gate opens or a door opens, that they need to take off running at full speed. What if our backdoor gate accidentally opens? I don't want them taking off.

I guess what I am saying is that I don't want them to get out of their kennels or off the leash and they immediately start taking off, running around like crazy dogs nipping at each other.

Please advise.

Why would you want to establish a rank amongst them? You need to exert yourself as the alpha dont you?

You are the boss, and make sure they understand that!

True and I am. However, do they not also need to establish a rank between themselves? Isn't there a rank within a pack, or it just the alpha and everyone else is equal.

Thanks

Since you are the alpha, YOU determine the rank between the other members of the pack also.
You are also going to have to keep them seperated/crated at all time that you are not supervising.
When you decide who is 2nd and 3rd in the pack, based on who is the more dominant of the two sisters (knowing takes skill), then it's up to you to "enforce the rules". If #3 is pestering #2, then you have to reprimand #3 for getting out of line. #2 eats and gets pet before #3 etc.

I am so sleepy from my newborn baby right now that I couldn't explain how to do this clearly if I tried, but I'm sure someone will jump in and say it right.

 Quote:

I guess what I am saying is that I don't want them to get out of their kennels or off the leash and they immediately start taking off, running around like crazy dogs nipping at each other.

I teach my dogs to wait before going through doorways, including coming out of their kennels, for a release word. Also, when taking off their leashes, I have them sit and wait until I give a verbal release before they are allowed to run, sniff, play, or basically move from that spot.

I recommend you read the Leerburg article:
Groundwork
and this one:
2 Dogs

Hopefully the will explain some the issues you are asking about.

Having two dogs is a difficult job and is generally not recommend. Suffice it to say you will have your work cut out for you. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Alison-I know exactly what you are talking about. Thanks
Lisa-Great idea
Tom-Already read those articles. Thanks

Everything is moving along well. Time and Training should do the trick, now that I know what to do.

I find this topic and like topics very interesting. Years ago, when we purchased our first german shepherd, I found the Leerburg website. I read all the articles at least a dozen times each. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> As we added more dogs, we always kept in mind that we were forming a pack and that we had to remain the alpha of the pack. At this time, we have three female german shepherds living in the house with us full time and we have very few if any issues at all with dominance or fighting. They realizee that the humans are the alphas and that we will kick their hind ends for them if they forget it for one minute. Here is what we do see at time. Pushing forward to be the first one thru the door which was stopped by requiring them to sit until told to come thru. Pushing forward to be petted first. When that happens, we push back, put in a down/stay then call one at a time to come for pets and attention. They all three eat out of the same food bowl and drink from the same water bowl without so much as a growl. There is no pushing around the food bowl and hasn't been since we gave harsh corrections for so much as a simple growl since each was little. They are kept crated up at night and when we are gone either inside the house or outside in kennel runs when we aren't home to supervise. Surprisingly, it seems to work for us. When it's time to relax and watch some t.v, they will pile up together side by side, laying on each other with kids flopped over on them as well and will even groom each other. The dogs are 2, 3, and 4 years old. We can even bring our oldest female in who is 5 and there is still no problems. We believe that because of the articles from Ed that we followed we have gotten pretty lucky with this group. Can't say the same for some of our outside shepherds who would love an opportunity to fight but we just keep them separated at all times. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />