This is another real life example of dog to dog aggression. This five year old female dog keeps attacking the youngest of the pack, which is another female, at every chance she gets. Professional dog trainer Daniel Stevens recommends ways to prevent the attack suggesting the use of a muzzle combined with the desensitization approach.

Intra-Sexual (Female) Dog Aggression

By Daniel Stevens

Hi Dan,

I have a half Australian Shepherd half Border collie dog that is about 4 yrs. old now. (Her name is Tammy) We also have 2 little wiener dogs, Zoe and Monty. For some reason Tammy hates Zoe (the youngest one). A couple years ago, Tammy attacked Zoe for the first time. We thought that it was just a fluke, separated them and went about life as usual. Well it happened again, Tammy got out of her pen in the backyard when Zoe was outside and attacked her again.

When she does it, it's like she's going for the kill. It's so weird because she is the sweetest best natured dog around kids and other people, just for some reason she can't stand other dogs. She actually attacked another dog of ours also. We just have no idea what to do about it. We can't let her be any where around our other dogs. We hate to put her down because she's such a sweetheart and we've had her for almost 5 years so if you have any ideas that would be much appreciated.

Regards,

Trisha

SitStayFetch Reply:

Hi Trisha,

Thank you for your email.

At the age of five years this is quite a problem, as what I would usually suggest with a younger dog the remedy is lots and lots of exposure to other dogs, but this may just upset her too much.

What you could do is have her fitted with a muzzle, and then it would be much safer to mix her with other dogs. But like I said there is a good chance that at her age it may not really change her attitude. Still I think it will be worthwhile for you to try it.

If she still looks like she wants to attack your other dogs, even with a muzzle on, try throwing a big heavy blanket over her or saturating her with the garden hose or a bucket of water.

The idea behind this is that these are the things you would do to safely stop a dog fight, but I think it may be a good way of preventing one too. Perhaps if all goes well it may put her off wanting to rush in and attack the other dogs.

I am surprised that you have not allowed them to get used to each other before. Desensitization and perseverance is often the only thing which really works in these cases.

I hope this is helpful for you, if you have any further queries please do not hesitate to write me again.

Kind regards

Daniel Stevens
Author of SitStayFetch
"SitStayFetch - STOP Your Dog's Behavior Problems!"

Trisha's Reply:

Hi Dan,

I really appreciate the quick response. I think that we will try the muzzle. But yes, we did give them time to get used to one another; she actually liked her when she was a puppy, just when she grew up Tammy all of a sudden wanted to kill her. The only thing I'm worried about is, when we put the muzzle on her and let her in the same room with Zoë is that it's only going to aggravate her and she'll try to attack her anyway.

Is there anyway at all that she could get the muzzle off if she wanted to? I mean, it's not even a fight, it's just an attack and there is almost no stopping her. Should we limit their time together at first? Let them get reacquainted so to speak. Because we've kept them completely separate for a year now, for fear of Tammy attacking Zoë.

Thank you again.

Trisha

SitStayFetch Reply:

Hi Trisha,

Perhaps to begin with, have both dogs on the lead (while Tammy has the muzzle on), so that you can exercise some level of control while they meet and greet.

Have Tammy become accustomed to wearing the muzzle before you try reacquainting the dogs. In this time she will probably try to take off the muzzle, however if you take her for a run so she has no time to think about removing the muzzle, this may be a good way to have her get used to wearing it.

Definitely limit their time to begin with, so that it is not too stressful for them.

I hope all goes well, good luck!

Yours For Great Success With Your Dog,

Daniel Stevens

P.S. If you're really serious about obedience training your dog then go to dog obedience page right away! You'll discover all of my most explosive dog training secrets, strategies and tips that took me over 14 years to test, fine-tune and perfect.

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