Put the pup on a leash, when it starts to go for things correct it. Sounds like the pup is pushing the older dog for a the top position, the bad part about this is that the pup does not see you as the alpha or boss of your pack. So first things first, go to training classes. next leash walk your dogs a couple of times a day, no excessive sniffing around, no lunging at things, just walking...a good 30 minutes a couple of times a day will work wonders with your dog. Basics like sit, stay and leave it should have been started at 4 - 6 months old. The best thing you can do is start now, before the pup gets too big or too out of control

I would always give the older dog everything first - let the younger one see the older dog is the alpha between the two of them.

I would work on "leave it" with both of them, especially the younger one. If there's one bone on the floor she should know if you say leave it, she can't have it.

If they ever do really go at each other biting, please don't try to pull them apart. If the younger one is the more aggressive you could grab her by her back legs and lift them up, like a wheel barrow. This usually gets them to release. If there are two of you there, each grab a dog's back legs.

I think you should definitely take the younger one to obedience training.

Good luck with both your girls!
Sher

I agree with most of what is posted.

You need to take away anything from the dogs that is going to cause a problem.

Your dogs are not seeing you as the alpha. Somewhere, things have gotten out of control, and the situation desperately needs to be under control. You also have a very volatile situation that could easily start with a very small disagreement about a bone, and quickly (within a few seconds) escalate into a very major fight where injuries could occur.

You, as the alpha figure, need to act now. One way to do this is to severely clamp down, restrict and supervise everything your dogs do, every second of the day and night. Make them lay around when you are busy, in their designated spot. No bones, nothing. When you cannot do this, crate them. This type of immediate action is going to send a very clear message to both of your dogs, that is: You are the boss, and you are not going to take this any more.

Your alpha dog needs to be treated like one, meaning it get's the attention first, food first, etc. If your other dog does not accept this, a time out for at least 15 minutes in it's designated area is in order (not in a crate). Praise each dog when they do anything positive (even drinking water). This will let them know that you are not only in charge, but are able to be pleased. You need to not convey fear, dogs pick up on this easily, not a good thing for what you are dealing with. You should be able to step in between both dogs or give a command for them to stop fighting without hesitation.

Freedom restriction etc. may or may not fix this problem. You need to commit yourself to at least a month of this, perhaps more. The problem did not start in a day or two, it was over the course of time. ThatÂs what it is going to take to fix it. It will do a very important thing, give you peace of mind that things are somewhat under your control.

I don't think it wise for you to just take problem pup to a training class. You have issues with both dogs, not just one.

I would consult with a trainer who would make a house call. Witnessing events is completely different than talking about them.

Good luck!

SG

Thanks everyone for your input. Most of the time the dogs are very well behaved and they do not fight. It is just this one type toyof that is causing a problem. I have taken them away and I am going to try giving them out one at a time so that each dog has one. I am going to just control how long they get to keep the bones. As long as they play nicely they can keep them until I can no longer be there to supervise them and then I will take them and put them away.
I am very careful about not getting between them when they act like this. I can usually get the older dog to back off faster so I call her away from the fight first.
I am thinking this will work but we will have to see.
Thanks again for all of the input.
Mindy

I am going to disagree. If you want the dogs to stop fighting, then you need to let them finish the fight. The dogs need to establish a heirarchy in your pack. And you should let them.

The natural order of your pack would be that younger, more aggressive dog would be more dominant than the older dog. If you try to "adjust" that, you may create confusion in the pack.

Its a dog eat dog world :-)

You shouldn't try to break up the fights, unless blood is drawn. Typically these things would work themselves out quickly, but when you interrupt, you are giving the dog that should submit, essentially permission to continue to challenge the hierarchy, so the fight continues. If you would let the fight end, the hierarchy would establish and probably end any future fights...

If you are concerned about the older dog not getting a bone to chew on, or needing more attention, then you do that separately. Crate the more aggressive dog for separate play time, separate walks or time at the dog park.

Your dogs don't understand "equal", its not in their nature.

Allowing dogs to fight to establish hierarchy and the possibility of injury, should be considered unacceptable.

Dogs should look at their human as the "alpha". This is not the case here. Human in charge is afraid of being bitten. I doubt (but could be wrong) that this person can put her hand in dogs food bowl when they are eating, take out food, and give it to the dogs. Or, take food away, only to give it back a few seconds later. This is a true test of alpha status.

As far as dogs establishing their status, a low pitched growl would be sufficient (I don't like it, but I accepted it when my alpha did it to keep my pup in place). It never went beyond this, and I made very clear to my alpha that I did not approve.

SG

I made very clear to my alpha that I did not approve.

Yes, but you do have an alpha... one dog has to take the lead role and the others have to submit.

I think what the OP thinks is a fight, is probably not really a fight...

I have 5 dogs, and I would never let them "finish a fight"... I would never let them start a fight to begin with.

The OP said she was afraid she might get bit. Sounds like a real fight to me.

If they are mostly getting riled up just over the one toy bone, then supervising them the entire time they have them is probably going to work.