I have two brothers (1 1/2 years old) that are an Austrailian Shepard mix. I have one that is really aggressive to the other. He growls at him when he gets near one of the food bowls. He pins him to the ground and bites. I've had to smack him with the broom to get him off and sometimes that doesn't work. I recently got both dogs neutered in hopes that would help, but no.

I think I might have to find a new home for one of them, but that would hurt my heart. Any help would be appreciated!

First, you may have to separate them. That said, the one that is dominate needs to understand that you are the Alpha. I would look up NILIF, nothing in life is free, and try that first.
Also, I would start making the submissive one, more important in your daily life. That could backfire, but I don't think so, if you start treating the dogs like you are the most important in their life. Meaning, you are in control not them. Good Luck!

Have you tried to take your dogs to obedience training? You would be surprised at what a difference it can make in their and your overall wellbeing. I agree that you have to become the alpha in the pack. Obedience training can help with this. I had a lab, who I took to obedience training, and when it came time to learn the command “down”, he was as stubborn as a mule. It took me and the trainer 3 hours to finally get him to submit to me, and after that, he was a different dog. He followed every command I gave him, and turned out to be one of the best dogs I ever had.

Good Luck!

[lil mutt]

dog aggressiveness is one of the most common problems of every pet owners.

Never allow any dog to achieve dominant status over any adult or child. If dogs always know their social ranking and are never allowed to challenge people, they will usually be good family members.

for more info.. check this link from the humane society.

Aggression | The Humane Society of the United States

Food aggression can be relatively common, often the only resolve is seperate feeding. Certainly given time the neuter may help, but do also keep in mind that the hormone levels of the dogs do take some months to change.

Certainly you may as poohbear suggested need to look at treating one dog as more dominant than the other, of course clearly below your alpha positon. This can be an odd feeling for us as humans who do like to see fairness in equality, but dogs do not see things this way, you are either boss or your not, and if boss role is not clear you are fighting to be boss, if boss role is clear then a dog may fight for second in charge with the same resolve if this role is not defined either, that is about the extent of it, they have no sense of fairness, but moreso operate under clear strong leadership and an ordered hirachy.

You are the pack leader and need to tell him he is not allowed to dominate.

I have an Aussie who would try to heard everyone at the dog park.

Caeser the the dog whisperer taught me this trick which worked wonders on my alpha Aussie.


When they agress on another dog(or person) you make them lay on their side. You take one of your hands and make your hand the shape of a claw(like you are grasping a ball in your hand. Put the tips of your fingers firmly on they side of their neck. Force them to stay in this postion and let the other dogs sniff Him/Her as much as they want. Keep them on the ground until you andf the offender is completetly clam and submissive. The trick is that you yourself need to reamain calm as you can. The claw hand reminds them of their mother dog holding them and by forceing them to lie calmly while the other dogs sniff Him/her forces them to give up their alpha status.

If my dog acts up at the park I can now just turn to her as ask her if she wants to have me lay her down. I usually dont even have to say it any more.


I hope this idea works as well for you as it does for me, good luck.