Dogs Behavior

Dog behavior. I have 3 dogs brother and sister and a younger female. Lived together for 15 months. ?

The sister has started to attack the smaller female and bite her, drawing blood 3 times. Nothing has changed, but why is she attacking her. They all usually get on well. All have been doctored and are treated equally. The smaller female is terrified of the other female. When the older female approaches the other her hair goes up on her back. The twins are 2 1/2 years old the other 18 months. Normally all are good matured.

I smile to myself.

You have discovered that having several dogs can be quite a handful and are not as easy to control without some understanding of the canine pack mentality.

You say the dogs are treated equally, well, that could be the problem. The two females are challenging each other for the dominant position. You need to identify which of the females is the more dominant, for which you may need professional help. Please note that unlike the human world, dominance has nothing to do with aggression. Once you have identified the dominant female, that one ALWAYS gets fed first, gets treats first, gets groomed first.

This will do two things, it will show assertion to all the dogs that you are the pack leader. And two, the higher status female will have her position in the pack reinforced by your beviour.

But, that said, I still think you are in need of professional help.

Dog Behavior Training – How to properly socialize your dog