Hi Ericka - I have a similar situation. I have 3 male GSDs and 2 of them within the last few months started not getting along. They were not full blown fights but close enough that I knew I had a problem. They are never out together anymore, one is in crate, the other out. My 3rd german shepherd gets along with both so he is allowed out with them. So when I go to work in the morning they are put either in their outdoor kennels or inside crates (depending on weather) and when I come home they are put in their crates inside and I take one out to play/exercise/obedience with and when I'm done the other gets to come out. When we are done for the night they take turns being loose in the house until I'm ready for bed. I can't tell you how frustrating it has been and how many times I've just wanted to give up because this is not what I wanted for me or for my dogs BUT I have to keep them safe and if that means spending more time in crates and keeping them separated then thats how it has to be. Its getting better, the barking and howling when one gets out and the other doesnt still makes me crazy but I've invested in some bark collars and this is helping.

Please read the links people have provided, it will help alot. Also, remember that dogs dont think like we do and your guilt and frustration is not how your dogs are feeling, you are the leader, you decide who gets to do what.

your dogs that are fighting will probably like being separated from each other - they will probably start to relax more and so will you not having to worry about the next fight.

Some dogs just will never get along so they may always fight. I've had to realize that too and its heartbreaking but its something I will have to deal with but I just try to take one day at a time or else I would lose my mind Good Luck

Now I'm probably kinda rambling so I'll stop for now.

 Quote: kathy west

Also, remember that dogs dont think like we do and your guilt and frustration is not how your dogs are feeling, you are the leader, you decide who gets to do what.

Let's carve this in stone.


The pack leader sets the rules and the pack follows them This is just the way it is, and the dogs are not sitting in the crate thinking "Man, did SHE turn into a meanie lately."

Dogs need the security of a strong leader, and protection is a huge part of that security.

 Quote: Erika Hallberg

Our lives no longer belong to us. We don't have any time for relaxation because we are always in fear of a fight breaking out.

I'm confused, you say you're separating the dogs (and make a point of saying how taxing it is for you to do this), but if fighting is such an imminent possibility all the time, it sounds like they also still have significant time together...? Can you clarify more about what your days are like now?

 Quote: Erika Hallberg

I'm not getting much help from this board, I guess my problem is not big enough to warrant any meaningful help.

You're getting plenty of help, I suspect you were just looking for a different answer. Unfortunately, it is physically impossible to change the attitudes your dogs have for each other - nothing you can do will make them magically turn into BFFs. What you CAN do is modify your living spaces and lifestyle to allow for total separation, in order to keep both dogs safe (which will lead to relaxation, for EVERYONE). They can be in the same room, but one must be in a crate. It will be more work, but would you rather be breaking up dog fights every day and paying vet bills every time the dogs injure each other? Accept that your routine must change, but there is a point where things will settle down once you find a system that suits you and the dogs. I don't think anyone here is withholding better advice...

~Natalya

I have to seperate my yorkies from my gsd per advice from this forum, (thanks again). seperating the dogs and rotating them takes time to get used to. i do it and will always do it for the protection of my little dogs. everyone gets equal time and its relaxed time bc im not scared of attacks that could/would have happened. you've probably gotten the best advice your going to get from here. my female yorkie is alive and happy after heeding the warnings i got from here. my gsd is just as happy since she isnt in fight mode when she sees them.

Rikki,

Not to sound unsympathetic, but if I can handle soon-to-be 7 dogs (4 GSDs, 1 Pit Bull, and 2 little ones) on my own, I'm sure w/a little tweaking, you and your husband can handle one large and 3 small dogs.

I, like everyone else, am confused as to where the problems are if the dogs are separated. Instead of bombarding you with questions, I'm gonna tell you how I handle mine; maybe you can apply something to your house and maybe it will help.

Sorry to everyone who already knows more about my dogs than they ever wanted to...

First of all, I have only 2 dogs who are ok w/every other dog. That means, 100% of the time, I'm separating more dogs than are together. I have a GSD and a Pit Bull who would fight until someone dies if allowed. I have 2 GSDs who would fight until someone was seriously hurt. I have a little beast of a dog who has it in for my oldest GSD and will provoke until his life is in danger. Not to make light of tiny dogs fighting, but I want you to understand that even dealing with dogs who will KILL each other is not impossible. Drama is not helping your situation. Calm down, separate them, and go out and have a life.

It sounds like you are coddling them. The fact that you and your husband are separated is absolutely preposterous. It's no wonder you feel as if your life is not your own; you are training them to run it for you.I even manage to head out for an evening once in a while, and I have 50% of the manpower you do and almost twice the dogs. Take them for walks. Take them to a park (not a dog park). Run errands with them. Pick something that one or more can accompany you to do, and do it. Then, when you get home, take the one (or more) who didn't go with you on errands for a walk. Or play ball. Or whatever. They don't need this formal session all the time; little things and changes in scenery mean a lot to a dog. I honestly see as much of a benefit if Caleb goes with me for a day full of errands as I do when I take him to a park and work on obstacles. Seriously; they just need time with you and exercise.

When you are done w/them, put them in crates in another room, and go do what you and your husband want to do. Maybe someone gets to watch a movie with you; maybe the next night someone else gets to go for a walk w/you guys. The possibilities are endless; this is not impossible. 4 dogs sounds like a day off to me. LOL.