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Braggle
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31 Oct 2014, 2:41 am

Please be careful if you decide to use a spray bottle, sorry to contradict bit if a dog is in a heightened state of arousal it may become aggressive towards you, it could also develop a fear of water, or bottles or even the sound that they make when sprayed and react every time it is exposed to the stimuli. Also with this method unless you can respond at exactly the right time, the moment your dog begins to react you could inadvertently train think you are trying to correct a different behaviour. It could think it is being sprayed because it's getting off its bed. I completely agree that you need to be firm but remember there is a difference between assertive and aggressive. A dog is much more likely to learn if you convince it that it wants to do something rather that because of fear.



RightGalaxy
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31 Oct 2014, 8:35 am

The younger one is territorial. Taking seniority into account, I'd keep the older one and give the younger to a trusted family member or trusted friend if the younger gets too aggressive. It's not fair to the dog who was already established at your home. How would you like to share your home with some pushy youngin' who throws you out of bed and makes you stay in the kitchen? The younger won't bother the elder in the kitchen because that's where he gets his food (from you) - doesn't want to rock the boat in there. Also, the younger likes to go out - doesn't want to rock the boat in that situation either. The rest of the house is where the younger gets to push the elder one around. I think it's better to get animals together when they're very young. They can tolerate each other better. The younger dog is very clever - he knows precisely where he can get away with this kind of behavior. You're pack leader, his second in command and the elder dog is subservient. The elder is now the bottom feeder.



persian85033
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31 Oct 2014, 9:08 am

Actuallyl, the older one has never been anywhere other than the kitchen. :? We've never understood why. He just sticks to the kitchen and never goes anywhere else in the house.

My younger one has an awful LOT of energy. He has a hard time sitting still and gets distracted easily when he has to. One of my thoughts was perhaps he gets frustrated because he wants to play and the older one just doesn't feel like it. Even when he doesn't want to, in the yard, he can still run, dig, throw his toys and everything. He really is a good dog, very affectionate, and loves his 'uncle' as we refer our older dog to him. He doesn't actually hurt him, although he easily could, not only because of age, but just he's a much stronger dog. It's more that he growls, and gets into an aggressive position. Maybe I'm taking such a big deal out of this? After all, it's only indoors, and he is never aggressive towards me, my parents, or my cat.

I sometimes let them in because of the weather. The summers get really hot here, but I'm guessing that in the winter, they'll just have to make do with their blankets, and the summer with their little pool. That and take them for longer walks.


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Braggle
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31 Oct 2014, 9:42 am

I'm not sure which country you are in but have you heard of kongs or activity balls? They would work for both dogs especially the younger to get his mind working if he's bored, just make sure you separate them as they could fight over the food when they have it.
He could be mentally unstimulated you could try teaching him some advanced tricks which would also strengthen the bond between you and tire him mentally. Make sure that you do this before he has eaten though if you use treats for rewards so he will have lots of incentive to work for the food.
Are his hackles up when he growls and also how are his ears and tail positioned when he does it?



Sweetleaf
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31 Oct 2014, 11:16 am

Does the younger dog have a bed/blanket to? If not that might be part of it....animals will get kinda like that if you have two or more and one seems to be getting 'special' treatment. Either that or maybe the younger one is trying to play, and the older one doesn't want to so the smaller one gets frustrated....if that is the case the younger dog will likely mature some, how old is he?

But yeah unless the younger one is hurting the older one its probably not a huge deal...just a matter of age difference and less maturity on the younger dogs part. One other idea though is do you leave both dogs out the same amount of time, it could be possible the younger one needs more outside time to get his energy out than than the older one....so maybe having the younger one outside more often could help. LIke if the older one gets tired and is ready to come in but the other is just running around being a puppy perhaps let him stay out a bit longer.

Also do you walk the dogs at all, or have a large yard they have plenty of room to run around in?


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persian85033
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31 Oct 2014, 2:38 pm

The stance he takes is first he wags his tail, and barks his 'play with me' bark, then his ears go up like when he's paying close attention, he gets stiff, and suddenly he'll pounce. Like I said, he doesn't actually hurt him, it's more like he growls while he's pushing and pulling him.

They both have their own beds, although sometimes they like to sleep together. He's about a couple of years old, not quite as hyper as when he was a puppy, although still pretty much so and he'll still chew up stuff he finds around the yard.

That sounds like a good idea. They usually get the same time outside and inside. My younger usually has more energy in the mornings, so he doesn't want to come in. We have an average size yard, and we do take them out for walks. They're always thrilled when they see the leashes.


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"Of all God's creatures, there is only one that cannot be made slave of the leash. That one is the cat. If man could be crossed with the cat it would improve the man, but it would deteriorate the cat." - Mark Twain


Braggle
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31 Oct 2014, 3:53 pm

It's difficult to tell without actually seeing them but I think the younger is trying to entice your older dog to play. With the growling if people didn't know my dogs they would think they were killing each other with the noises that they make when they rough and tumble together. I don't think you have anything to worry about. You could contact a behaviourist if you continue to be concerned though.