<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> I have two Queensland Heelers. One female (Jackson), age 6 (25 lbs.) and one male (Jake), age 8, (35 lbs.)they are father and daughter. We have had both since they were 8 weeks old.
They have gotten along pretty much ok. Jackson has always been a little bratty and Jake very sweet.
When playing ball and Jackson gets the ball, she takes it and puts it in their food bowl. Making Jake go in the kitchen to get it out. When Jackson gets in or out of the truck she trys to bite Jake when he gets in or out. She waits by the doggie door for Jake to come in and trys to bite him.
We know that Jake could kick her butt. But he is too sweet.
I went away for about 30 days in Dec. only seeing them once in the 30 days. While my husband was home with them they were fine. When I returned home Jackson has started to just attack Jake for no reason. They have gotten into a few good fights. And Jake ends up on top. Jackson does not back down though. And neither of them have gotten hurt. My husband says to just let them go at it and Jake will show her who is the "alpha dog". The fights only last a few seconds or so. It makes Jake feel like he has done something wrong. And Jackson could care less what she is doing. It happens about 4 or 5 times a day. Also just the other night I tried to get Jackson off the bed and she growled at me. She did the same with my step son the next day. I'm afraid she might bite one of us. Or that her and Jake might hurt one another.
They eat fine together. Except when I give them bones, Jake stands his ground and will slightly growl at Jackson and she goes to her own bone. Jackson is also very aggressive toward other dogs when we go for hikes or walks. And she likes to chase the cat across the street. (She has never caught any cats though) They do catch birds though.
Neither one is fixed. And when Jackson goes into heat. She is 10 times worse. Jake is a mess. But she does not let anything or anyone around her when she has her heat.
They both follow my every move. And I treat them equally in every aspect.
<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> My question is: Is there anything I can do to change this behavior in Jackson?
Thanks,
Kim Wolf
Phoenix, AZ

Whenever I see a term like "has always been a little bratty" from my past clients, for some reason that tem has always ended up meaning "I didn't push obedience training on the dog hard enough".
I don't know if this is the case with your dogs, but from the behavior that you're describing, it sure sounds like it's a part of the problem.
And if you're to the point that you're scared that you or your son may get bit, this has been allowed to escalate way too long.

Step number one - go read what Ed has written about dominance in dogs and pack behavior on the main Leerburg site.

I'm going to close this thread for just a day and I'll re-open it after you're had a chance to do your reading.