Doggone Etiquette —

More Than One

By Bardi McLennan

A Word to the Dogs:

I hear there are two dogs in your family and you get along just great — right? You share everything and play together, sleep together, go for walks together. That must be a really super life for both of you. Sounds good, but I also heard there are times when you don’t agree and your VIPerson has to step in to straighten things out. Do you pay attention, stop the argument, and figuratively shake hands? Or does one of you continue to grumble and glare at the other? If your VIPeople are given some help, maybe they can prevent a disaster.

A Word to the Dog’s Owner:

Even two dogs that get along in peaceful harmony most of the time may every now and then erupt in a barking, growling, snarling frenzy. You may know precisely what caused it, or you may have no idea. Two dogs are apt to attack each other in this noisy way when (and probably because) neither one can get at the true object of their attack. A perfect example of this is when both dogs are looking out the window and see a strange person or an animal coming toward them. They can’t get through the window, so they may begin by barking and end up in what amounts to a fist-fight! It’s an outburst of sheer frustration and as a rule the sound is worse than the fury.

In other words, it’s more of a noisy way for one dog to call the other’s bluff in a no-win situation, rather than being a true dog fight. Young kids do this same sort of thing when they start with, “I saw it first.” … “No, you didn’t.” … “Yes, I did” and it goes on and on, increasing in volume, but is generally nonviolent. It is one way dogs indicate that they tend to remain at about that level of child development. Therefore, it is not at all unusual for domesticated dogs to behave like this, whereas wild species respect the higher ranking dog and quickly submit. When the wild ones do actually fight, it’s apt to be over a major challenge to self-preservation such as food or breeding rank, not who saw the UPS man first!

Knowing that such a snit-fit between your two dogs is not a true dog fight doesn’t get you off the hook. You have to be the calm, but firm, leader they both respect. If the dogs are well-trained (and of course yours are — right?) use the tools of basic obedience training. Distraction comes first, so interrupt the fracas by clapping your hands, stamping your foot, or even blowing a whistle. When you have their attention, stand up tall, and with a serious face and no-nonsense firm voice use whatever word-command you have chosen to end such a debacle. “Stop-it” is good because it can be said sharply as one word, and with authority. Then put the dogs on a Sit-Stay. End it with an “okay” and nothing more.

If you react with excessive bodily force, or angry shouting, you risk increasing their aggressive behavior, which is precisely what you want to avoid. However, if either dog’s behavior over time should show any sign of true aggression, don’t go it alone. Seek professional help.

When the ruckus ends, they aren’t instantly going to become compliant little angels, but when they stop the fracas and turn their attention to you, it means they have accepted you as their leader. Don’t be in any hurry to give in to their “I’m so sorry” bowed heads or other ways to get back into your good books. Dogs learn a lot from being ignored for a while following a correction.

Until next time – BE GOOD!

- Bardi

Bardi McLennan bred, trained and showed Welsh Terriers for 30 years, during which time she wrote a monthly column on canine behavior in Dog Fancy Magazine. In addition to contributing to numerous dog publications, she has written 15 books on dogs, the latest being Rescue Me!, which received the ASPCA Humane Issues Award in 2008.