This is probably going to be looong, I really need advice...
A few weeks ago I posted that Bodhi and Ribbit have had a couple little fights over food...once over Bodhi's bowl and once when we were putting groceries away and all the dogs were crowded around. I called a trainer...they gave me some suggestions but have only been here once because they have classes and have been out of town. I've been working on the suggestions they offered and things have been going well....until last night.
Bodhi had just finished his dinner but was still standing at his bowl in the kitchen (Explanation: all the other dogs eat in the basement once a day...Bodhi's bowl is in the kitchen and he eats twice a day). I was standing behind Bodhi keeping an eye that no one got too close. Ribbit came into the kitchen and stood behind me. Bodhi turned around and looked at him, and I knew almost immediately that trouble was brewing...he stiffened up and got that intense stare. I grabbed his color and tried to tell him to Leave It...but they went at each other. They only got to each other for about 10 seconds, then I managed to drag Bodhi out into the foyer. I put him into a Sit/Stay, but did not let go of him because he was still very tense like he wanted to lunge again. Then he started growling again and I looked and Ribbit was coming into the foyer...and Bodhi tried to go after him again. I could not get Ribbit to leave the foyer...I finally drug Bodhi up to the landing of the stairs where we have a gate, and locked him in there...then ran and put Ribbit in the basement as fast as I could (because the gate will not hold Bodhi for long). By the time I shut the basement door, Bodhi was over the gate and running toward us. As soon as he realized Ribbit was in the basement and no longer a "threat", he calmed down. I, on the other hand, was just about hysterical. I couldn't believe the "fight" lasted so long...that Ribbit just kept advancing and Bodhi just kept trying to get him. I was all by myself when this happened...it's damn hard to hold back a 130 lb. dog and I have 3 herniated discs in my back which does not help...I had hideous visions of Ribbit getting killed or having to get rid of Bodhi...so I called the trainers in a panic. They kept telling me that "the situation is not as horrible as it seems" and "is VERY solvable if we do the work in training". They offered more advice...here is some of it, along with some things I have been thinking. Please tell me if it makes sense, or if any of you have had problems like this and what you've done about it:
1. I think feeding Bodhi in the kitchen is a dumb move on my part. As I said, the other dogs eat downstairs in their kennels....so when Bodhi eats his first meal of the day no other dog is around. I suspect he thinks of the entire kitchen as his feeding area to guard...so when he eats his second meal and there are other dogs around, he gets pissy. The trainers said we should feed him in the basement with the others so he can see that they have the 'right' to eat too...I don't want him loose, so we will have to see if our large crate is big enough for him or possibly switch the kennel assignment for eating (which could be a nightmare because we have had the same routine for years).
2. The trainers absolutely feel that the problem is not just Bodhi. When I told them that Ribbit kept coming into the foyer when I dragged Bodhi in there, they said that was him being aggressive. He didn't act aggressive (no growling or trying to attack Bodhi), but it does kind of make sense...a Cocker Spaniel has just been jumped by a Newfoundland and doesn't run away?? Ribbit has always had aggression issues (I think a big part of it is because he is a Cocker mix....in my experience, they are very testy)...he often growls at the other dogs and even us...but we've always put up with it because until Bodhi got big no one ever challenged him. Another dumb move on our part. So the trainers think we need to work with Ribbit as well.
3. The trainers suggested that I wear a small air horn around my neck for the next few weeks in case anything happens...they said blowing it will stop the fight in it's tracks.
4. After the fight, Bodhi was fine. I left Ribbit in the basement for awhile, then put Bodhi on a leash to take him out (through the basement) in case anything happened. He and Ribbit went nose to nose...and he didn't react at all. He was trying to play with him 5 minutes later. During the rest of the evening Ribbit walked by him many times, very close or even brushing against him, and he paid no attention. Unfortunately, I was a nervous wreck thinking something would happen...and I know they sense my fear and tension and that makes things worse, but I couldn't help it!
The trainers said many other things...I took notes, but can't think of them right now. They will be out of town until Monday, but will be coming over as soon as they get back. They keep saying this is fixable, but I am so on edge. We've been so lucky for years...all these dogs and no problems....an d now this. To make matters worse, my husband and stepson are two of the most absent-minded, oblivious men I have ever met....trying to keep them on board with intense training will be damn difficult. ANY advice, suggestions, or support would be appreciated!!
