Petsmart training classes?

[Valgal]

Ok. When we brought our foster child in we also brought his dog because it is all he has left. It's a cute little thing, a puggle, and pretty well trained... but I already have 2 dogs and a cat and I'm about to go CRAAAAAAZY!!! My scottie and this new dog are at each others throats all the time. I mean, they turn into one snarling ball of fur and teeth and claws. I'm just waiting for an injury. Today they went at it over a tiny morsel of Stove Top that fell on the floor. I had to grab them both by their necks and fling one out the back door.

I am at the point of tears here. I can NOT get rid of his dog. Everytime I think I'm about to do it I think of him and how his doggie is his only 'family' left. And I'm sure as heck not getting rid of MY baby. With three kids, three dogs and a cat in this house I'm about to lose my mind.

I've thought about talking to the trainer at Petsmart because I used a different obedience class for my puppy when I got her and wasn't impressed with it. Anyone with experience with them or have any other advice?

[ColleenSwerb]

The dogs are fighting for dominance in the pack. They both want to be "top dog". While part of it is just living with it and letting them work it out on their own, there are some things you can do yourself.
1 - Decide who is going to be the top dog. That doesn't necessarily mean that your Scottie automatically gets the spot though. If he's normally a submissive dog, and the other dog is more dominant, it would be fine to set the foster's dog above the Scottie.
2 - Top dog does EVERYTHING first. Eats first, gets pet first, gets to go outside first, etc etc etc. Make them both sit down before their meals (I'm a firm believer that a dog should always have to "work" for their food, even if that is only sitting until I say they are allowed to eat, or shaking my hand. It's still work to them.) and then only put the dominant dogs bowl down first. The other dog must sit patiently and wait until the other dog is done eating before they are allowed to eat (or, once they get better, you can put their bowl done while the other is still eating). Make sure you have control of the other dog so the first dog can eat in peace.
3 - If they fight over toys, no more toys. If they fight over table scraps, no more table scraps. Eliminate as much stuff that they fight over as possible, and it will help them to settle it on their own.

I'll add more things as I think of them. You'd have to enroll both dogs in the training class and have someone else with you to help do it. Personally I think you can do it on your own. Go to the library and check out any of Ceaser Milan's books (The Dog Whisperer), they're really wonderful.

[Valgal]

I have had to rule out treats... which is a bummer! When we first got the new dog that is how I got them used to each other. Everytime they started to get anxious around each other I would call out, "Watch me!" and they'd run over and sit at my feet in anticipation of a treat. It was awesome! But now that they're fighting, they about take my finger off when I had them the treat. Maybe they want to make sure the other one doesn't get it first or something?

I will check out one of Ceaser's books. I didn't even think of that. Duh. Does he advocate letting one dog be leader? I thought I'd have to get them to consider each other equal?

[ColleenSwerb]

They are no equals in the dog world. There is an Alpha dog, and then the rest fall in line according to their dominance in the pack. For domestic dogs, people are ALWAYS above them in the pack order (or at least *should* always be), and that includes an even the smallest baby. You, your husband, and your kids are the leaders of the pack, and the dogs fall in line after that. They're fighting over those 2 positions.

The foster dog may view the foster child as his Alpha, which may be another part of the problem. The dog must respect you and every other human just as much as it respects the foster child. You all have to work on obedience and training together as a family. Everyone uses the same commands, the same words, the same punishment, etc. If even 1 person doesn't follow that, it can throw the whole thing out of whack (think of parenting-you both have to be on the same page, otherwise the kids totally take advantage of the "easier" parent, kwim?).

Ceaser's big thing is that you, as the human, are the alpha. Every human is an alpha. Every dog must listen to the alpha, no matter what. If there is no alpha, there is no order and chaos controls the pack. Even wild dogs follow 1 leader, the alpha dog, the most dominant one in the pack. It's what comes natural to them. Dogs want to please the alpha.

Sorry, I sound like a know-it-all. Dogs are just one of my passions and I've spent a lot of time learning and training my own dog (a vicious pit bull ). Most of my training advise comes from Ceasar though. The dogs must be obedient to you above all else. Many times the rest will fall into place after that.
And you can still go talk to the Petsmart Trainer to see what they think. I don't have much experience with them, I'm just wary of a big chain like that hiring anyone other than a kids off the street to teach those things. I could totally be wrong though, so if you think it might work you could def give it a try.

[Kenzi]

You could also check out other local trainers in your area. Sometimes they are more skilled/qualified than the ones working at Petsmart (nothing against them). Check out their qualifications and training before signing up. Often times they will offer one on one classes specific to your needs. Also at the veterinary hospital that I work at (I'm a veterinary technician) one of our doctors has a special interest in behavior and offers behavior consultations for our clients. She then meets with them and works out a plan to help correct unwanted behaviors etc. You could check with veterinarians in your area and see if any of them offer such a service. Some veterinarians are also certified behavior specialists (which is what the doctor at my hospital is working towards).
http://www.animalbehavior.org/ABSApp...caab-directory

[Valgal]

C, I'm glad you're a know-it-all! This very helpful! I think you're right about the foster dog and him viewing the boy as the alpha. She will pace back and forth behind him when he's sitting on the floor and if my dog gets too close she gets all growly and stuff.

So, yesterday I sat on the floor and fed my dog first, and made the foster dog wait. It was hilarious! She sat there looking so pathetic like, "Why can't I eat?" lol! I'm also making them all come in and go out at the same time, and none of them are allowed on the furniture, because when my dog is on the couch and the foster dog gets too close she nips at her.

Funny thing is that my other dog is not swayed by any of this. She just does her thing and the foster dog follows her like she's her big sister or something. they'll even wrestle and play, it's so cute.

[DawnMarch]

I know it can't be this simple, but do you take them for walks together? I saw a Caesar episode where two neighborhood dogs HATED each other and would bark like crazy when they saw each other. One way Caesar solved it was by making them walk together as a pack. It might be different here since your dogs live together, so maybe they are just fighting to be top of your pack, but it always seems to help get them in a better frame of mind when they all walk in a group together.

[ColleenSwerb]

Dawn brings up an awesome point. Walking together as a pack around the neighborhood would be awesome for you guys. But have the foster child walk your dog, and you walk the foster dog, to reinforce the idea that PEOPLE are the alpha's not just one specific person. It sounds like the foster dog is being overly protective of the foster child, which isn't good either. When you notice her start to pace like that, have her go lay down somewhere, like on the other side of the room from where the foster child is sitting. They're both in a new environment and stuff, so she's feeling anxious and taking it out on your dog (I think). Once she sees that the foster child is ok while she isn't right on top of him all the time, she might relax a little. Give her a little TLC too, to try and calm her nerves a little.

[Nevada Jen]

I did the petsmart dog trainging classes and they were awesome. But I could tell it depends on the trainer. The one thing that helped the most and instantly was getting a gentle leader for the new dog or the dog you are going to make submissive. I am telling you I put that thing on my new dog when she is getting agressive or hyper and she lays down and goes to sleep. Old dog, who never used to be agressive, leaves her alone. Trust me. Go out and buy one. Bring the dog and ask a petsmart trainer to fit it to the dog for you. You will not regret it. Everyone I know who has tried them absolutely swears by them for behavior control.