sibling rivalry

boxer momma · 05-24-2011, 09:00 PM

Hi, I'm new to the site. But desperate for some reasurring answers. I have three white male boxers. Alex is 4 and deaf. he's been with us since a puppy. Andy and Aidan are 2yr old brothers from the same litter and have been together since birth. I rescued them a year ago. Aidan is also deaf. Most of the time they all get along. They always want what the other dog has. On occasion we have had a dog fight that I have had to get in between. Is this normal behavior? Is it possible that all three males can live together or will this sibling rivalry get worse? Andy is always one of the dogs involved. He is hearing and he is the biggest. Thanks for your input.

KeeperBoy · 05-25-2011, 09:00 AM

What exactly are they fighting over? Toys? Food? Attention? Chews? What type of training do they have? Is the big boy normally the dominant one?

Boo is a resource guarder with her toys and chews. Keepers doesn't touch them so it isn't a problem unless we have a foster. When we do, we pick up all the toys and chews and the dogs only get them when they are apart. We gate one in another room or allow one dog to play in the yard with a toy while the other is inside with a different toy. When they are both back inside the toys go away.

Erin251 · 05-25-2011, 09:01 AM

are they all fixed?, if not that could help... but i do not think its sibling rivalry, i think it is because two of them are deaf. they can not hear the normal warning signs that other dogs give off. while a non deaf dog will back off if another dog "warns"them a deaf dog doesnt realize it.

MavGoose · 05-30-2011, 09:58 AM

I have 2 dogs, one a 2 year old male boxer, and the other is a three year old shepherd/doberman.

They get along quite well, but sometimes when a bone is involved one of them will try to stand over top of the other one to show dominance with the bone in their mouth. A few times over the years I've had to get involved with them, but it has never gotten too serious to the point where either one was hurt. I think it's because you have all males, and if none of them are fixed then they will all fight to be the most dominant. I'm sure the 2 being deaf does not help the situation as they are unable to communicate fully with the other dog.

bruinsBoxers · 05-31-2011, 08:19 AM

It is not uncommon for a 2 year old to challenge the older pack leader . This is when most problems start to show up between same sex pairs . Being deaf may also be making the issue worse than it may normally be .
I suggest getting them ALL on the NILF training program , they need to learn that you are the pack leader . Just google NILF and you will find tons of info.

Also take away and items that may trigger the problems .