Dogs who fight

Third in a series

Jealous, competitive, dominant?

Dog fights in the home cause real distress for pet parents. Fear, anxiety, pain, and crowding within the group can be important factors. The most common cause of brawls and bloodshed is resource competition.

Surely well-loved pets with plenty of groceries, delivered on time every day, should have nothing to worry about. But our dogs see it their own way. Their species is genetically wired to hunt for prey, forage for carrion, and do whatever it takes to scrounge enough calories to get through another day. Those who fight over dinner are sure the apocalypse might land in, oh, about 10 minutes. If they don’t get it all right now, they might get none of it. And die. Really.

Dominant domestic dogs may have their eyes on the prize at other times, like when near their special person, a favored resting area, even a doorway. Confined indoor spaces like hallways and near furniture can also ratchet up the tension and spark panic. Even without body checking or muzzle punching a canine bully might threaten others with threatening signals and postures. If badly frightened, a low-ranking peon who feels trapped can launch a defensive, even preemptory strike. Any dog can be a danger to others but females are statistically more likely fight among themselves. Pay attention to the events and contexts that precede these fracases. This isn’t about jealousy.

Don’t risk food-related aggression. Feed your dogs twice daily at the same time but only after each is securely isolated in a room all alone. Fetch the bowls from a closed cabinet and deliver their individual feasts one room at a time. After each eater has belched and wiped her mouth on her sleeve (or had plenty of time to finish) you can retrieve each bowl while leaving its owner still in her feeding room. Only allow the diners to comingle for a cigar in the drawing room after all the dishes have been hidden away in a closed cabinet.

How about teaching them to share s’mores while singing kumbaya around the campfire? Or you could distribute treats at the same time while supervising good behavior. Fuhgeddaboudit. Dogs aren’t into equal rights or democracy. Even those with affluent lifestyles worry about starvation. Keep them safe. Manage them like hungry wild beasts ready to scrap for scraps.

Next week: Biting people: Is it about dominance?

For help with behavior problems, you can sign-up for a Zoom Group Conference on my website, drjeffnichol.com.

Dr. Jeff Nichol is a residency-trained veterinary behaviorist in Albuquerque. He provides consultations by Zoom group and individually/in-person. Sign up for his weekly blog or post questions (drjeffnichol.com) or by US Post to 4000 Montgomery Blvd. NE, Albuq, NM 87109.