Question:

Just one hint, although this will not solve the problem.  Be careful when the dogs do show aggression not to yell at either of them or to be gruff, as this will only make matters worse.  Rather than discipline praise them lavishly when they first make eye contact and remind each of them over and over that they are both good good dogs.  This is a hard one and better aimed at more proffessional dog behaviorists than I, good luck

Response:

First — get a behaviourist to come in and make an assessment. Second — and this is speculation only, FWIW.  From what you are describing, your Lab does not know who is alpha.  The Shepherd thinks he is, your Lab thinks he is.  The problem is that YOU need to be alpha.  He may becoming aggressive with you because you are NOT alpha so he will be. By using the TANSTAAFL approach (there ain’t no such thing as a free lunch), you can reinforce YOUR position as alpha, especially with your Lab, but making him "buy" everything.  Sit/stays to get treats, down/stays to get fed, sit/stays for pats and affection.  Make it very clear that YOU are in charge and will brook no deviation from the established pack hierarchy that has YOU on top.  Period.  If they even look at each other threateningly, put them in a down/stay.  (If you can control the Shep too.)  Do NOT tolerate it.  I know lots of people advocate not yelling in a dog fight but I do.  If nothing else, it gets their attention so you can, physically if necessary, break them apart and give them an incompatible command (i.e., DOWN). Third — watch them closely.  Find out which things trigger the fights.  Is it food?  Toys?  Attention?  What?  Keep them separated while doing these things (feeding is usually a BIG thing with dogs that don’t get along — feed them in separate rooms for a bit).  Figure out which dog is truly dominant and reinforce it.  Since you are alpha, it is your responsibility to reinforce the pack heirarchy.  Feed that dog first, give treats to that dog first, etc.  And it may not be your Lab, could be the Shep. Fourth — is your dog neutered?  How about the Shep?  Intact males are much more territorial that neutered males.   Please, take these suggestions FWIW.  These are on-line suggestions not having seen their interactions or even knowing many details.  You really need in-person help.  And be prepared to accept that these dogs may *never* get along.  It happens.  You may need to move somewhere else with no dogs or ones that your Lab gets along with. Good luck  – Michelle, Cassie the Lab (aka LittleOne) and JakeyBuddy the GSDx to e-mail, remove the "_" – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I have recently moved into a new household with my 1 1/2 yr. old Black > Lab,  where 2 dogs, one 5 yr. old German Sherpard that has fear anxiety > and a 2 year old Samoyed live. The Samoyed and my dog have no problems > together. But, the German Shepard and Lab are at each others > throats,,,,literally!  It’s been over a week now, with no calmness in > sight. My question is what is the best way to handle this situation. Do I > let them face each other on leashes, or keep them seperated like I have > been? My Lab has started to become agressive with me and I worry about how > he’s changing. The Lab and the German Shepard are the only two that are > now having problems. > Any insight would be much appreciated. > Thanks, > Lar

Response:

I have recently moved into a new household with my 1 1/2 yr. old Black Lab,  where 2 dogs, one 5 yr. old German Sherpard that has fear anxiety and a 2 year old Samoyed live. The Samoyed and my dog have no problems together. But, the German Shepard and Lab are at each others throats,,,,literally!  It’s been over a week now, with no calmness in sight. My question is what is the best way to handle this situation. Do I let them face each other on leashes, or keep them seperated like I have been? My Lab has started to become agressive with me and I worry about how he’s changing. The Lab and the German Shepard are the only two that are now having problems. Any insight would be much appreciated. Thanks, Lar

Response:

Hi ! Call a dog trainer PRONTO! They should be able to help you work with the two dogs, or give you advise. Good LUCK! diana – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I have recently moved into a new household with my 1 1/2 yr. old Black > Lab,  where 2 dogs, one 5 yr. old German Sherpard that has fear anxiety > and a 2 year old Samoyed live. The Samoyed and my dog have no problems > together. But, the German Shepard and Lab are at each others > throats,,,,literally!  It’s been over a week now, with no calmness in > sight. My question is what is the best way to handle this situation. Do I > let them face each other on leashes, or keep them seperated like I have > been? My Lab has started to become agressive with me and I worry about how > he’s changing. The Lab and the German Shepard are the only two that are > now having problems. > Any insight would be much appreciated. > Thanks, > Lar

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