Sammie and Bailey have always wanted to assert their dominance, but they have REALLY started fighting a lot lately. to the point were they are getting hurt. my vet bills are stacking up, and i really will not get rid of one of them. i need advice. they are best friends, but they both want to be top dogs. they are both male, but neurtered. bailey is older and he was here first. Sammie usually starts the fights, but i don't think they ever come to a conclusion. it is usually over food, so i separated them when they ate (duh!) then they fought over me, so i tried to see who was more dominant, and who was winning fights, (so i could feed him first, scratch him first etc.)but it was a constant battle. it is weird, because they are best friends, they throw hissy fits when they aren't together, but the fights are about 1 every 2 weeks. and i can't figure out what trigers them! in the house they are fine, but outside, it is war. neither will accept the fact that the other is "better" so they fight more. i don't want to separate them, and i won't/can't find either dog a new home, but i am at a loss. i am gonna ask my mom, and my friends/doggie class teachers, but i thought i would ask y'all too. Sammie tore his ear (or should i say Bailey tore Sammies ear) and i can't figure out for the life of me how to dress it. he also has a hole in his leg from Bailey that won't heal, and i tried to wrap it, but it is either too tight, or loose enough he can get it off. i might try a E-collar. sorry if i am rabbling, but i can't think strait. Bailey seems to win less fights, but comes out of it better (
). he has 1 scar over his eye that is barely noticable, from a long time ago. he has really thick coarse hair, and i think it helps. sam is fluffy, and soft, so it can't protect him much. Sammie is 5 in april (i think) and Bailey is 6 or seven in august (
). i am so confused right now, i can't even count. they are sleeping away right now, and passing gas every now and then
. they sleep separetly, Bailey in a crate, and sam loose in the house. might that have anything to do with it? i cannot add another dog to this caos, particularly a girl, they would fight over her, right? i dunno...i am gonna be sick if i don't try to sleep. i can't slepp thinking about this though....
please try to help, even if you are just guessing. i need help from people who have dealt with agression between dogs before. i thought i had this over with when i "tamed" Sammie. he was dog agressive. bail is the only one he doesa this with. it seems pretty equal-not one dog or the others fault.
Leah