Hi.
We have three dogs: A siberian husky, an Alaskan malamute, and a small 18 pound Shiba Inu. As the malamute has just finished her first heat cycle it seems she has become much more aggressive with the shiba inu. The shiba inu has an attitude and warns the malamute with a growl whenever she even so much as walks by. But sometimes, now much more frequently, the malamute attacks the small dog fiercely. So far the shiba inu has not sustained any serious injury, but there usually are a few puncture wounds on both dogs after each fight. I was under the impression that the two were settling some levels of dominance and that they needed to work out their problems and eventually the fights would not break out any more. I'm starting to think my opinion is wrong after last night's fight that I broke up. The two are not only putting themselves in danger but also my wife and I. Since we have adopted the malamute over a year ago we have learned more about the breed. Apparently they can be dog aggressive. Is there any hope for salvaging their relations? Or is the only option to always keep them separated? Any help greatly appreciated.
Darius

Now I'm not an expert, but I wonder if they are fighting to be the alpha female... a role that should actually be filled by you wife!

Does she (your wife that is) eat infornt of you dogs before they get their food?

Just a thought?

The malamute thinks she the owns the place. She gets on the furniture with us, and because she is jealous for attention, she will walk all over my wife when she's reading a book and lay on top of her. She irresistibly cute. I guess she is also in dire need of professional training.(the dog) The only thing we've trained her to be is good about not trying to steal our food and we've trained her not to beg at the dinner table. Any ideas on how my wife is supposed to take the role of alpha female?

It isn't easy.. especially with cute dogs that have learnt just how to appeal to your soppy nature! :lol:

There are four rules, I've used the term "you" alot but I mean you and more importantly your wife.

Generally, when the pack structure changes your doggie will get a bit sulky for a few days... then she should just learn to relax and let your wife take the alpha female role.

You should treat both dogs the same, but I have to admit I've little experience get two dogs to get along, only with humans assuming alpha role over a single dog. I wouldn't want my advice to get in the way of seeking proffesional help.

Anyway... the rules

1. Ignore your dog
Sounds harsh and it's really tough. When you've been seperated turn your back on the dog, refuse to make eye contact. You're the boss and you interact on your terms. Make yourself a drink, watch TV, whatever. Once your dog has settled (and this could take a looong time) give it another five minutes (if she gets up and tries to bother you start again), wait til she settles and start the 5 minute count again. Then call her over, pat her and make a fuss.

This is gonna be really hard if you dog is big and jumps on the furniture with ya! The usual advice is "don't say anything and gently push it down". I hope you can make that work.

Don't ever go over to your dog. That puts her in charge.
If she come to you without being called, ignore her 50% of the time.

2. Eat before she does
I put my dog's food in a bowl and the put it on a table, I then eat a cracker, but try to make it look like I'm taking it from the bowl. Don't look at her, alphas eat first. When you've finished eating put the food down.

3. Alpha's lead
Try to stop your dog going in/out of the house before you. Training sit and wait (usually 10 secs) before letting you dog through the doorway after you've been with a simple "this way". This also applies to walks, try not to let you dog forge ahead (try a head control collar, but be careful that it fits right, if it doesn't then she might slip it, some ppl reinforce their head collar with a chain to the main collar incase it does slip).

4. Dealing with threats
When someone comes to the door. If your dog tries to frighten them away then she thinks she's the boss and it's her job to protect you. Warning you is fine, but it should be up to you/wife to do threat assessment! Dunno how to reinforce this but you may find as she learns you and your wife are dominant this may just change or reduce (some ppl pop there dogs in a another room, or train them to wait while you check out the disturbance).

Do the best you can and try to be creative in the way you enforce the rules. You should ber able to do rule 2 with no problem.

We leave their food on the floor and they eat at their leisure so I'm not sure about number two. But we definitely need to get started right away on giving her attention on our terms. She also demands that she's the first into the house so we've gotta change that. She's very friendly and affectionate even with strangers but we do have to train her not to jump up on people. We're also going to have both of them spade soon so hopefully that will help too. Thanks so much for the time you took to give me this advice :!:
Darius