I apologize in advance for the length of this post, but it is a somewhat unique set of problems.

Ok, so please know that I realize that some of this is our fault. But we didn't know that when we first got the dogs. i have a cousin who had two Jack Russells that produced a litter. My mom and I (who live together on a 3 acre property) both wanted a puppy and we thought that getting sisters would be a good idea. They might get along better if they grew up together.

Since we have a large property, the dogs are mostly outside dogs coming in only to eat, sleep, and bathe. They have fought like wild cats from the beginning and, unfortunately (I know I know) my mom interefered on behalf of her dog a lot, which I know made the situation worse. We live in Florida and they both get bad heat rash over the summer, so now we are wanting to make them inside dogs with access to the outside.

Here are my problems:

Princess (as a puppy) was the more dominant of the two puppies. Angel was the more submissive. Who holds the alpha position now is anyone's guess because they go at it over everything. Angel is now a submissive peer so I'm guessing its her. She is frightened of absolutely everything.

1) training outside dogs to be inside dogs (thank goodness for the Dog Bible). Its going well with Princess who is house training well as well as "manner" training well. But Angel isn't getting it. Every day three times a day we go through what rooms she can be in, those she can't, sit, lie down, off, and go to bed. She wants a lot of attention and she isn't picking up on anything. I don't know how to help her. Most things I can do the ignore\reward method with but for going into certain rooms, i've been told to use a loud noise, which prompts her to pee. Obviously, no yelling even if they are peeing. I just don't know what to do.

2) training two dogs at once. They have separate crates one upstairs in my living room and one downstairs in moms. So we are trying to keep them a bit separate because we will be moving soon and I won't be moving to the same town as my mom. I'm trying to do a good job of splitting my time equally, but Princess is up with me and she can be loose while im in the room when Angel can't yet. But I also want to train them to be in the same room now and then.

3) The dogs have always gone at it over being petted. But since I've started training them, Princess has become extremely possesive over me. She could care less if Angel is getting love from anyone else. But if I even look at Angel or talk to her, Princess attacks her.

Someone please help! The Dog Bible has been an invaluable help when it comes to the training and how dogs think and all. But I don't know what to do with these special circumstances.

[german sheep]

Wow RaineeLane,

that is not easy.

The first thing I would like to know is how old the pups were, when you got them. The next question must be: were they outside from the first day they stayed by you?

What you trained unknowingly is a individual responsibility connected with a independency to their owner --> you and your mom.

Now it starts to get difficult for me to explain, but let me try:
Both dogs of yours have no familar pack situation, it is a forced combination and therefore you can not suppose that there is, you call it, alpha position.
That's the reason why there are regular attacks between them. It happens when the holder is included. They get food, attention, love and affection from you. A resource which assures survival. So every individual demands it for itself. Dogs are not made to share their resources and therefore, they have to fight for more...
...

But since I've started training them, Princess has become extremely possesive over me. She could care less if Angel is getting love from anyone else. But if I even look at Angel or talk to her, Princess attacks her

Most things I can do the ignore\reward method with but for going into certain rooms, i've been told to use a loud noise, which prompts her to pee. Obviously, no yelling even if they are peeing. I just don't know what to do.

To ignore a dog will neither help you nor your dog. An alternative behaviour is missing here, what you want from her to do especially for you.
With a loud noise you just take advantage of avoidance behavior. This will not help either, she will not show you that she hasn't learnt anything, but has to find an adequate compensation.

Training two dogs at once is impossible, when you pay attention to the causing behavioural problems.
But what are your plans. Do you have both dogs in future after your move to another flat/house? If not, train the dog which will stay by you and your mom trains this one which belonges to her.

To train the dog not to enter a room, you have your dog at the lead and go to the room you don't want the dog to go inside.
Step inside and if the dog wants to follow you turn around to the dog and make a step towards it, without saying anything!!!
If she retreats by herself, give her a treat, if she wants to squeeze by block her path, till she understands that she's not allowed in this room. Each time she gives you an eye contact give her a treat.

Repeat this procedure by all the rooms she's not allowed into. BUT!!! be carefull, maybe the dog will bite into your feet, because of the control she has had till now. You have to take back control in all situations.

LG
gs

Ive trained 2 dogs living in the same household, 2 bitches however r difficult, not impossible tho, it makes not odds how old they r or if they r spayed etc, think of 2 sisters or mothers, its a natural thing to want 2 b a leader n bossy, ( Hence why we r called "BITCHES") u need to try n think how a dog thinks, not how we think a dog is thinking, they r complex creatures, actualy get on with each other better that us humans, this is because they have respect, it seems 2 me u r obviously goin against the natural rule of thumb (Dog world), it makes no difference who is older etc! its who is the "Pack leader" do wolves have problems like this NO. bcoz they respect leadership n that is what u need to sort out, i suggest u spend the money on a dog psychologist.

[Lara's mom]

I also have a JRT. After reading your post, I emailed Lara's breeder to see if she could offer any insight into your problem. She said that there are a lot of JRT breeders and owners who do not recommend having two JRT's of the same sex living together. However, she also said that she has never encountered this kind of problem with any of her dogs. Her dogs have always gotten along just fine. The fact that you and your mom will be moving to separate residences will solve the problem once and for all.

I brought my female JRT puppy into a house that was already inhabited by a female border collie X and a female cat. There was never a problem. Everybody got along just fine.