Barrier/threshold aggression?

[*blackrose]

So Chloe has decided to be a dingle berry and attack Rose whenever Rose comes inside through the front door. I'm not sure why all of a sudden she feels the need to do this, but this is Chloe we are talking about. After breaking up two fights and preventing a third, Rose is no longer allowed in through the door with Chloe inside, which is a pain in the rear as she has to come in through the back door.

Chloe's always been a bit of a brat about that. When she was a pup and Blackie and Rose were outside dogs, if I had Chloe outside and went to let Blackie and Rose out of their kennel Chloe would growl/lunge/nip at them whenever they would pass through the kennel door. It got worse, but once she realized I was NOT going to tolorate that (I'd "Hey!" in my meanest voice and lunge at her - she'd belly drop) she snapped out of it pretty quickly. I had noticed that she tends to send aggressive signals whenever Rose (or any other dog, really) would walk into the house - tail up, closed mouth, maybe a barely audible growl - but I could just say her name and/or split between her and Rose and she'd stop so I didn't think much of it. Now she just full blown attacks her. They get along fine otherwise (if there isn't a food resource around) and if Rose is in the house first before Chloe comes in, or they come in at the same time, there isn't any issue at all. They hang out together and all that jazz without any problems.

Rose ignores Chloe, but she doesn't back down to her either. So I know it isn't Rose starting something, but once something is started it's on.

I'm assuming I can desensitize Chloe to this by letting her nibble on a treat whenever we go to let Rose inside? (She'll do anything for food.) Or is something deeper going on than I realize and I need to do some major rehabilitation? I just want to nip this in the bud before animosity develops and they can't even be together.

 

[lizzybeth727]

My friend's dog does this, it's really annoying.

There are several things you can do to fix it, but generally the quickest and easiest fix is to just practice good management and prevent the problem.... Don't let Chloe and Rose go through the door at the same time. You can tether one out in the yard, bring the other one in and put her somewhere away from the door, then let the first one off the tether and come in. Or teach them to go to a bed, and just release them one at a time to come in the door. Or get creative and come up with a similar solution.

The desensetization thing could work too, but it will take longer.

The most important thing is that you're extremely consistent about not putting Chloe in the position to get to practice this behavior. With my friend's dog, she'll get better if my friend is really consistent about management and such, but if she starts loosening up the rules she can see that the dog slowly reverts back to her old behaviors.

Good luck!

 

[milos_mommy]

I don't know why dogs do this, but it's pretty common and freakin' annoying.

Fortunately, it's usually a pretty easy fix. I'd start by giving her a treat every time Rose becomes visible in the doorway...then take Chloe away while you bring Rose inside, then give Chloe a treat while Rose approaches the doorway, but bring her away before you get Rose inside, then if she seems comfortable with it, treat her as Rose comes through the door.

I'd also start by giving Chloe a treat away from the door, with a marker (either a bed, mat, or just some tape/near some furniture, whatever). That way, instead of going towards Rose when she enters, Chloe will go to her spot and wait for her treat. And Rose coming through the door will be a Good Thing.

 

[*blackrose]

Glad to hear it will be fixable! I don't know why she does it either. She just has no brains, I think.

That's a good idea about teaching a place cue - that would come in handy in other situations as well. Thanks for the ideas!