Recently we’ve been struggling with one of my dogs growling and sometimes attacking one of our other dogs any recommendations of how to help them.
Backstory: We have three dogs. The Pug, a 15 year old, black pug, had him since he was 8 (has one eye, he can barely see out of said eye, and is nearly deaf). The Lab, a 6 year old lab mutt, had him since he was four months (reactive towards strangers). And The Mutt, a 4 year old aussie/poodle/pitty mutt (he’s more things but those are the main three), we’ve had him since he was about 6 months (the current problem child).
When we first got The Mutt he got along quite well with The Pug and The Lab (The Lab didn’t get along with him for like 2 months but they love each other now). However, in the last few months (probably around july of last year) The Mutt has gotten more and more aggressive towards The Pug. Most of the time he’s just growling at him but it’s starting to turn into attacks. The Pug has done nothing wrong (at least that I can tell) and he can’t really read The Mutt’s social cues from him being basically blind and deaf. I think The Mutt’s is being resource protective but it happens all the time (when all three of them are laying in bed with me, when water and food gets put out, when they are all just wondering around the house). When I say wondering I mean The Pug will be standing in the middle of the living room and The Mutt will walk past him and just growl.
It’s all come to a peak this morning. I take the outside one at a time. When The Mutt and I came back inside The Pug was behind the front door. As I went to take off The Mutt’s collar and leash, The Pug was simply sniffing The Mutt’s leg and he completely snapped at him. The Pug luckily didn’t get hurt, but it could’ve been worse. As much as I’d like to keep them separated I’m the only one home right now and I feel bad leaving them in their kennels for long periods of time (since they’ve already been in there while I’m at work). In all honesty my family is really bad at taking them out for full walks. However, as I’m graduating from college soon, I want to commit to taking at least The Mutt out more often. What can I do training wise to help their relationship? Open to all suggestions.