OMG - just got advice from dog behaviourist

[LurcherGirl]

Are they aggressive towards each other?
Have any incidents required treatment by a vet?
Describe what goes on and how freequently it happens.
Mark

They play very well together and are never aggressive towards each other. They are fed, walked and I play with them together (they love hide and seek ) - all without any problems. When we go out walking, they are excellent on the lead. When another dog passes by, the neutered one (Flynn) will get a little jumpy and try to avoid the other dog, although the past couple of times we've been out, if it's a calm dog who passes us by then he remains calm and passes by without any problem (then he gets a treat). The issue arises when the other dog is excitable and comes over to invesigate him and sniff. Flynn will try and jump out of the way and when he can't (I always have them on the lead now) he snarls and lunges. He has never to date bitten or made contact with his teeth, although it may be a matter of time before he resorts to that. I haven't taken them to the park anymore but take a different route which avoids off lead contact with other dogs. I don't know if I'm making a mistake doing this.

I should add here that sometimes dogs have been snarled and lunged at for simply approaching him - calmly  or excitedly.

You might want to think about having your neutered dog checked out by a chiropractor. Our pyrenees got a lot calmer and less reactive around other dogs once he had chiro treatment. In his case he was worried of getting hurt when dogs bounced around him!

Vera

[LurcherGirl]

Sorry, just catching up with this. My neutered boy is exactly the same - he is especially bad if other dogs sniff at his back end. He doesn't bother about other dogs unless they approach him - he tolerates them for a quick sniff or two but then you can see he gets quite anxious and then starts growling at them. He is better off lead than on as he can get away if needs be

But that's fair enough... he is warning the other dog to pack it in. My lurcher doesn't like being sniffed at his bottom, he will go stiff and look away... if the other dog doesn't get the message, he will fly around and tell the dog off short and sharp... And that is absolutely fine with me.

Vera

[suki1964]

Catching up here as well and adding my neutered lad is the same - will tell other dogs off if they come sniffing his rear. Not so much a problem off lead but on lead it can get a bit noisy and look scary.

Like you I worried something dreadful and walks became a nightmare for me.

So I worked and worked on recall (don't think he will ever be 100%) and let him off lead. Now he can get away from nosey dogs walks are a lot better. That's not to say I take my eye of the situation, if I think things may get a bit noisy I recall him and distract him. But as a whole he's a lot more relaxed around other dogs and its only the real persistant ones who get told off - and I don't blame him  - or myself as other owners have to accept their responsibility.

[debz]

Hi  i agree with lot's of other advise thats been given just out of interest which out of the 2 is the boss ?
I had prob with mine barking at any dog bigger then himself i just put him in the situation as much as i could while out but as we were about to pass the other dog  i would distract him with treat and clicker it work a treat if you could do that at the right moment that could work for you like it did me although i think clickers are just as good for using as a distraction then as a reward which is not what there mean't for i no 
I still wonder if your dog thinks it protecting the other while there on leads together does he do it when you walk him alone ? I don't think this is a major prob though lots of dogs esp bitches don't like others sniffing there bottoms to be honest i really don't blame them GOOD LUCK WITH IT 
Debs x

[Yellowboat]

Hi! I was very interested in the subject of littermates!!!! I have two sisters not through choice, I took them to look after for six months and now have them permanently.
I experienced most of your problems and still do to a degree. I am a little sceptical of dog trainers there are good ones and bad ones and how does one tell the difference.
I would say have a little  more confidence in yourself for a start you have not done so badly. I used to be terribly embarrassed by these two and thought people would be judging me on their bad behaviour.
I have had them a year now and they are improving and I am sure yours will too, patience, and understanding and observation which you are already displaying.
I had one very hyperactive one but even she is settling down a bit. I remove their toys from the sitting-room when I want them to settle and calm down, which seems to have worked.
I also ask people who call to totally ignore them until they stop their barking and once they have gone and lain down are then rewarded.
The barking at other dogs still happens but if the other dog owners are good and let the dogs meet and sort out who is top dog all is well.
I think having them neutered is the answer to a lot of the aggression when meeting other male dogs and would always advise that. They are naturally protective of their own and this has to be taken into consideration.
I have had three generations of Cairn terriers and had no problem with them. I also had Dobermans not together, but one after the other. They were both soppy and adored other dogs regardless of size, and loved the cat.
These two Spaniels are certainly different! they are still separated from our Birman. He is upstairs and they are in the sitting room when not being taken out.
I am sure if it was just one, the problem would have been solved and the fact they are littermates brings out the pack instinct.
It is all very easy to say exercise them individually but in practice is not so easy.
Friends say they see a big difference in them and they are certainly not so hyper-active, not perfect, but getting there.
I hope this gives you some hope, it will come right in the end. Do not let them know you are worried or  like children they will play you up.
Dogs being very sensitive pick up on when we are nervous or sad or worried. Do let us know how you get on with them.

[caty]

Thanks for the advice.

I'm still working with them on their aggression issues and I did think they were improving until they were jumped upon by a GSD in the park last week. That has set us back a bit, I think. It's very difficult to know what goes on in their heads, sometimes.....but I am trying to be calm and relaxed when I am out and about with them as I know very well that this has an impact on their behaviour.

[Cob-Web]

It is all very easy to say exercise them individually but in practice is not so easy.

Is this not a key consideration before becoming a multi-dog household, though?  I am very mindful of the fact that if I were to add another dog to the household, then I would need the time/energy for walking twice as often, and twice as far, for twice as long 

[Helen]

Thanks for the advice.

I'm still working with them on their aggression issues and I did think they were improving until they were jumped upon by a GSD in the park last week. That has set us back a bit, I think. It's very difficult to know what goes on in their heads, sometimes.....but I am trying to be calm and relaxed when I am out and about with them as I know very well that this has an impact on their behaviour.

Caty, this setback hasn't coincided timing wise with the peeing on the bed incident has it?  I'm wondering if the 2 incidents could be related or maybe i'm just reading too much into it (probably  )

[caty]

Thanks for the advice.

I'm still working with them on their aggression issues and I did think they were improving until they were jumped upon by a GSD in the park last week. That has set us back a bit, I think. It's very difficult to know what goes on in their heads, sometimes.....but I am trying to be calm and relaxed when I am out and about with them as I know very well that this has an impact on their behaviour.

Caty, this setback hasn't coincided timing wise with the peeing on the bed incident has it?  I'm wondering if the 2 incidents could be related or maybe i'm just reading too much into it (probably  )

About 1 week of a difference. They could be linked, I suppose. I'm more inclined to suspect the introduction of a dog walker and her dog coming into the house.

[LurcherGirl]

It is all very easy to say exercise them individually but in practice is not so easy.

Is this not a key consideration before becoming a multi-dog household, though?  I am very mindful of the fact that if I were to add another dog to the household, then I would need the time/energy for walking twice as often, and twice as far, for twice as long 

Absolutely, and I have done that for the last 5 months with my new American cocker puppy... for the last couple of weeks I have taken him out together with the two lurchers as I thought all was fine and it was saving me some time... but I need to go back to walk him separately for a bit longer as his obedience has slightly decreased and I now also need to emphasise socialising with other dogs again after he was bitten on the nose a week ago whilst he was on lead. I can only do that when he is on his own with me! So yes, back to walking twice as much for me... ah well, at least it keeps me fit if nothing else.  

[Helen]

Thanks for the advice.

I'm still working with them on their aggression issues and I did think they were improving until they were jumped upon by a GSD in the park last week. That has set us back a bit, I think. It's very difficult to know what goes on in their heads, sometimes.....but I am trying to be calm and relaxed when I am out and about with them as I know very well that this has an impact on their behaviour.

Caty, this setback hasn't coincided timing wise with the peeing on the bed incident has it?  I'm wondering if the 2 incidents could be related or maybe i'm just reading too much into it (probably  )

About 1 week of a difference. They could be linked, I suppose. I'm more inclined to suspect the introduction of a dog walker and her dog coming into the house.

aah, that would be more logical

[Nicola]

It is all very easy to say exercise them individually but in practice is not so easy.

Is this not a key consideration before becoming a multi-dog household, though?  I am very mindful of the fact that if I were to add another dog to the household, then I would need the time/energy for walking twice as often, and twice as far, for twice as long 

Absolutely, and I have done that for the last 5 months with my new American cocker puppy... for the last couple of weeks I have taken him out together with the two lurchers as I thought all was fine and it was saving me some time... but I need to go back to walk him separately for a bit longer as his obedience has slightly decreased and I now also need to emphasise socialising with other dogs again after he was bitten on the nose a week ago whilst he was on lead. I can only do that when he is on his own with me! So yes, back to walking twice as much for me... ah well, at least it keeps me fit if nothing else.  

My walking schedule at the moment is crazy - at 6am I haul my a$$ out of bed and all 3 go out together for a 30 minute walk, Rodaidh on lead and Alfie and Tilly off. I work from 7.30am until 12.30pm when Rodaidh gets his 2nd 30 minute walk on his own which includes 2x5 minute training sessions then Alfie and Tilly get their main hour and a half walk together. I work again from 2.30ish until 5.30ish and then Rodaidh gets his 3rd 30 minute walk including 2 more 5 minute training sessions then Alfie and Tilly get their individual walks of 30-40 minutes each which also include training at some stage during the evening... It's certainly keeping me fit and out of trouble anyway!    Speaking of which... it's time for Tilly's walk!