As usual, Mike has said it better than anyone else could. I'll simply chime in to say that I concur with the entire post, and this line sums it up best for me:

 Quote: mike arnold

In my world, it is not acceptable for one dog to dominate another as a rule

When I walk all four dogs (or even just tell people I have four dogs that live in my house) they will often ask me "do they all get along?"...and it's a question that always strikes me oddly. Well, of course they all get along. They don't have any choice but to. They don't get to decide whether or not they will get along with each other. In my world, in my house, not getting along is simply not an option. If that is established clearly as rule #1 and enforced with zero tolerance then harmony is as taken for granted as air.

Very well said Mike.

 Quote:

Most dog training is really the training of the owner - in my opinion.

This is so true. It reminds me of Cesar Milan's opening statement that he makes " I rehabilitate dogs, I train humans"

Can I put in a cent here, I only have one male GSD at the present, My goal if possible , is to add a female that compliment my male. So while giving this much thought, I believed I would have them kennels separate, train separate, and only with me there, there will be interaction with both. Also giving each one time with me one and one. this is how I think it would work for me. completely different from same sex aggression. But, I do believe that is how it should work in that situation also. Someone teach me if I am naive? Dan

I have two males and a dominant female. I never have any issues with male on male aggression. My female will not tolerate another dominate female. She will however play with and tolerate a submissive female after she gets to know her on neutral territory.

I have had some squabbles between one of the males and my female, but they have greatly reduced, mainly because of management and training. I know my dogs' body language and can tell if something is going to break out before it happens and I immediately separate them. I also crate them separately when feeding and giving them bully sticks. Their issues are more about dominance, which I don't allow between the dogs and deal with through management.

This has worked well and we haven't had many problems lately.

Interesting to see most peoples' responses being that they don't have issues with male on male aggression in the home (like me), but the issues arise with multiple females.

Just wanted to thank Mike for taking the time to post information on how he manages his household. Great information. Thanks!

Mike, That is how I envision my world, did not see your post before I posted my cent, But because of my physical limitations, I consider separate kennels and more redundancy of work, if that is what I can call it. Right now, It is heaven with an almost five month old. Dan

Thanks everyone. I find the collective wisdom of this place irreplaceable.

 Quote: Keith Kaplan

Interesting to see most peoples' responses being that they don't have issues with male on male aggression in the home (like me), but the issues arise with multiple females.

I only have one male, who is fine with submissive members of both sexes, but will get macho quickly with a dominant, serious male. The biggest issue Oscar has is with intact males of similar size (small intact males get his hackles up, but if they don't pester him, he'll ignore them). Dominant or not, a big intact male is sure to get his blood boiling (we neutered Oscar at 2 y/o after this behavior started, and of all the things the neutering changed, intact male aggression is not really one of them...). I've heard this is not uncommon in RRs, though I have not heard similar issues with the females (I've seen other female aggressive females of other breeds though and can attest to these being nastier fights...).

If we got another dog, it would be a female, or a very carefully chosen neutered male. As much as I'd love an intact male, like Mike, I'd hate to have to separate the household, and I'm sure it would cause undue stress to Oscar. Maybe my training, handling and management skills will permit me to try this out in the future, but it would be a huge challenge for me now, and since I know what to avoid, I'd rather just set Oscar and I up for success by choosing a new packmate that jives with Oscar's general personality.

~Natalya

Great post and great answers! I have a multiple dog house and have issues with the 2 females together and with 2 of the 5 males. I'm not completely awake yet and can't wait to go back through this thread later, but initally not thinking that the issues resulted due to their sex?