Can you tell me why . . .

• 07-01-2008 12:51 PM

  Shohin Joined on 08-26-2006 Posts 431 Points 0

  Can you tell me why . . . Reply Contact  When there are two dogs in a home/yard/whatever, and another dog walks by on the street getting the dogs in the house all riled up and barking, etc., why is it that one of the two dogs in the house (I assume the dominant one) will snap at the other if it gets too close or barks?  I've seen this to varying degree's all over my neighborhood . . . in one pair of dogs, the one will bite at the tail of the other and pull it away from the fence, and in another yard the one will actually pin the other to the ground. Even with my two, if a dog walks by they will both growl and bark a bit and if one gets too close, the other snaps in a sort of Back off!! way . . . this does not appear to be particular to any breed. Its not a problem for us, but I've always been curious as to what exactly is taking place between the dogs at that point . . . anyone got any ideas?

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• 07-01-2008 12:58 PM

  In reply to Shohin

  Liesje Joined on 03-02-2007 Grand Rapids, Michigan Posts 7,053 Points 850	Re: Can you tell me why . . . Reply Contact Dunno, I wondered the same thing the other day b/c I saw two dogs do it. vankelderdogs.dutchbingo.net U-CH Alta-Tollhaus-Krieger Lamb Chop RA CL1-F CL1-R TT HIC TDI CGC (GSD) VPC's Coca-Cola CGC (All American) Alta-Tollhaus' Bono (GSD)
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• 07-01-2008 1:09 PM

  In reply to Shohin

  JackieG Joined on 04-15-2008 Central Texas Posts 237 Points 105	Re: Can you tell me why . . . Reply Contact The behaviour is called redirected aggression and it can get to be a very serious problem. JG
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• 07-01-2008 1:45 PM

  In reply to JackieG

  AuroraLove Joined on 11-26-2007 Posts 1,152 Points 330

  Re: Can you tell me why . . . Reply Contact I could see how that could ahppen but at my house we have a 3 barks ad your out rule. I think the biggest mistake people make is yelling at their dogs to be quite. You gotta actually get your butt off the couch, LOL and redirect their attention. As silly as it sounds, if the dogs are barking at something that could easily be percieved as a threat I praise them, say thank you and call them back in. I dont want to reprimand them for doing what they think is their job. For example a scary bum pushing a cart or going through our garbage or aloose dog. However if they are barking at some man carrying a ladder, or something else that is not a threat and I dont want them to think its ok....granted I dont completely expect them to differnatiate good from bad everytime I still act accordingly.

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• 07-01-2008 1:52 PM

  In reply to Shohin

  cakana Joined on 09-10-2007 Cathy in Northern CA Posts 6,718 Points 360

  Re: Can you tell me why . . . Reply Contact I posted in the behavior section (yet another fight) that most recently one of my dogs went after the other one when the neighbors dogs were going at each other. I'm not sure if it's a pack fight kind of thing or what and this is the first time it's ever led to my dogs getting into a fight, but I know exactly what you're talking about. My dogs aren't big barkers when it comes to stuff like that, but they definitely show arousal and excitement and we usually redirect them. This time it all happened in the blink of an eye. ~ Cathy ~

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• 07-01-2008 2:53 PM

  In reply to Shohin

  Kyda Joined on 09-15-2007 Arkansas Posts 572 Points 385

  Re: Can you tell me why . . . Reply Contact I think its like pent up frustration at not being able to defend their 'territory' from an 'intruding' dog. The dominant dog takes it out on the subordinate dog. "There is an art to flying, or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss. Clearly, it is this second part, the missing, that provides the difficulties." Charlie- 8 y/o agility mutt Frankenstein(Frankie)- 9 month old raccoon slaying Bull Terrier mix Hammer Head(Ham)- 3 y/o horse guardian retriever

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• 07-01-2008 3:00 PM

  In reply to Shohin

  Krissim Klaw Joined on 08-26-2007 Posts 285 Points 100

  Re: Can you tell me why . . . Reply Contact Maybe when there is two dogs, they are then able to realize how annoying it can be to have another crazy dog barking like mad right next to them when they are trying to concentrate... okay so that is just wishful thinking. XD   I always attributed it to the mixture of over stimulation and inability to react on their impulses that in turn causes some dogs to redirect their energy on those closest to them.  It also doesn't help that both dogs are often in a heightened state so they can somewhat egg the other's excitement on.

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• 07-01-2008 3:24 PM

  In reply to Krissim Klaw

  cakana Joined on 09-10-2007 Cathy in Northern CA Posts 6,718 Points 360

  Re: Can you tell me why . . . Reply Contact Krissim Klaw: I always attributed it to the mixture of over stimulation and inability to react on their impulses that in turn causes some dogs to redirect their energy on those closest to them.    Yes, that's what I think too. When our neighbors let their JRTs out back, they'll run right over to our fence and bark like crazy. Sassy will go over there and want so badly to get to them, she's knocked a board loose. We always go and pull her away (and put her away, if she won't calm down). I've noticed when this is going on that Buffy will go and hide. I think she senses that Sassy is agitated and doesn't want to be in her path. When the fight happened a few weeks ago, Buffy was far from her hiding place though and had no where to run. Her fear probably didn't help either ~ Cathy ~

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• 07-01-2008 8:04 PM

  In reply to Shohin

  samshine Joined on 09-10-2007 Denver, CO, USA Posts 392 Points 0

  Re: Can you tell me why . . . Reply Contact Yep, redirected aggression, have also heard it called displaced aggression. Happens in dogs, primates, humans... Husband is pissed at his boss, ends up smacking the wife or kids. It happens when the aggression cannot be directed at its target. In this case because of a physical barrier.  It can also happen if the aggressor is inhibited from attacking because the other animal is higher ranking, stronger, more powerful.

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• 07-01-2008 9:51 PM

  In reply to JackieG

  jessies_mom Joined on 09-10-2007 Indiana Posts 4,240 Points 40	Re: Can you tell me why . . . Reply Contact JackieG: The behaviour is called redirected aggression and it can get to be a very serious problem.     Thanks for the explanation.  I see this fairly often when walking Jessie and wondered what caused it too.   Life isn't about waiting through the storm; it's about learning to dance in the rain. Janice
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