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What Is Canine Rivalry?
Canine rivalry refers to repeated conflicts
between dogs living in the same household. Animals that live in social
groups establish a social structure within the group called a dominance
hierarchy. This dominance hierarchy normally serves to maintain order,
reduce conflict and promote cooperation among group members. Conflicts
arise between household dogs when there is instability in the hierarchy,
that is, when the ranking or social position of each dog is not clear
or is in contention. Initially, dogs may only snarl, growl or snap
without injuring each other. Sometimes, however, the conflict may intensify
into prolonged bouts of dangerous fighting which may result in one or
both dogs being injured.
Getting Professional Help
Ongoing canine rivalry is potentially dangerous since the dogs could
be severely injured, as well as family members, if they become the object
of redirected aggression when the dogs are fighting. Because resolving
rivalry problems requires managing the dogs’ somewhat complex social behaviors,
it’s often necessary for owners to obtain assistance from a professional
animal behaviorist (see our handout: "When the Behavior Helpline Can't Help"). Animal
behaviorists are trained to observe, interpret and modify animal behavior.
Why Conflict Occurs
Conflicts between household dogs usually develop when the ranking
of each dog is not clear or is in contention. This may occur if:
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You attempt to treat both dogs equally, rather than
supporting the dominant dog’s position.
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You interrupt or interfere with the dominant dog's
ability to control the preferred items (food, toys, beds, attention)
in his environment by giving preferential treatment to the subordinate
dog(s).
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You prevent the dogs from expressing the signals and
ritualized behaviors that establish dominance.
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A new animal has been introduced into the house.
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A resident animal has died or no longer lives in the
house.
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A resident animal is re-introduced after an absence.
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A young, subordinate dog reaches social maturity (usually
between ten months and two years of age).
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A dominant dog ages and cannot maintain his dominant
status.
Understanding Dominance Behavior
And Social Structure
You cannot choose which dog you want to be dominant. The dogs will
establish this among themselves, and any attempt to interfere may result
in increased conflict. Where each dog ranks in the dominance hierarchy
is determined by the outcomes of interactions between the dogs themselves.
Determining which dog is dominant:
Individual personality, as well as breed characteristics, are important
factors. The dog that demands to be fed first, petted first and through
the door first is usually the dominant dog. Remember that the rankings
may be different in different contexts (one dog may control food, while
another may control resting places) and they may change over time.
How dominance is established:
Dogs usually establish their dominance hierarchies through a series of
ritualized behaviors that include body postures and vocalizations that
don’t result in injury. One dog may "stand over" another by placing his
paws or neck on the shoulders of the other. However, because of past experiences,
inadequate socialization or genetic temperament tendencies some dogs may,
with very little warning, escalate dominance displays into aggression.
If this occurs, call our Dog Behavior Helpline at 696-4941, Ext. 346 or
your veterinarian for a referral to a professional animal behaviorist.
Dealing With Rivalry Problems
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If the dogs involved are intact males or females,
spay or neuter both dogs.
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Determine each dog's dominance status relative to
each other. Remember, this ranking is based on the behavior of the
dogs, and not what ranking you prefer.
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Support the dominance hierarchy. You need to support
whatever dominance hierarchy or "pecking order" your dogs establish
for themselves. Don't undermine their hierarchy by attempting to treat
them equally or by preventing the dominant dog from asserting his
position. Dominant dogs can, and should, be allowed to take toys away
from subordinate dogs, to push in to receive attention and petting
from the owner, to control favorite sleeping places, toys and other
valuable resources (from the dogs’ point of view). Support the dominant
dog's status by allowing this to occur.
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Make sure that all of the humans in your household
occupy the top of the dominance hierarchy by practicing "Nothing in
Life is Free" (see our handout: "Nothing in Life is Free"). This provides stablility
at the top of the dominance hierarchy, which will help the dogs sort
out their lower places in the pecking order more peacefully.
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Never, under any circumstances, attempt to
break up a fight between dogs by grabbing their collars or inserting
any of your body parts between them. If you feel you must break up
a fight between dogs, do so by squirting them with a hose (outdoors),
or squirting them with a vinegar/water mixture from a squirt bottle
(indoors).
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With the help of a professional animal behaviorist,
elicit and reinforce non-aggressive behaviors using counter conditioning
and desensitization techniques. These procedures must be designed
and tailored to specifically meet the needs of each individual case
and require professional in-home help.
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You should be aware that if you respond to this type
of problem inappropriately, you run the risk of intensifying the problem
and potentially causing injury to either yourself, your dogs or both.
Punishment Will Not Solve The Problem
Punishment can actually make the problem worse. We encourage you to
seek assistance from your veterinarian regarding: spaying and neutering
your pet; evaluating the health status of your dogs; and for a referral
to a professional animal behaviorist. Rivalry and fighting problems can
usually be resolved so that you and your dogs can live together in peace.
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