Please help me with suggestions on how I can make my one dog stop being so mean to my other dog?

A little bit of history on my dogs for you so that you might be able to help me. Giz (11 year old Lhasa Apsa) and Cosmo (1 year old Golden Retriever). Giz has always had a bit of an attitude, which in a way was cute. It seemed to just be his personality. He is very protective over me and freaks out if anyone touches my feet or my shoes and will attack. Since we got Cosmo, Giz has been horrible. He hates Cosmo. He won't let him eat, or drink. I have to feed them separately. I feed Cosmo outside, but if Giz is looking at him through the glass door, he gets scared and walks away from his bowl. Cosmo is fun, loving, would never bite anyone, or even act like he was going to bite anyone. He loves playing fetch, but Giz won't "allow" it. If I try playing fetch with Cosmo, Giz will run up and bite him. He has never allowed even children to run in the house. If the kids are getting too noisy, Giz will run up and bark and growl at them and make them calm down.

Please help me with suggestions on how I can make my one dog stop being so mean to my other dog?
It sounds like that because you really adored Giz since he was young and pretty much let him get his way (despite the fact that him "having an attitude" is a strong sign toward dominant aggression), he's the dominant one in your household--toward Cosmo AND towards you.





Giz is definitely not a lost cause and I wouldn't even consider putting him down as an option. This is just a typical case of when we love our dogs so much that we forget that we also have to discipline them. Regarding his behavior toward Cosmo:





Whenever Giz displays any aggression--not letting Cosmo drink/eat, acting competitive, barking, growling--you HAVE to discipline him. It is crucial that you make him acknowledge those actions are not acceptable. A simple "NO!" will not do, you will have to physically put Giz down into a lying down position on his back because that is the most submissive position for a dog. It is also a good idea to train him on a choke leash (or just loop a regular leash around him) and have him around Cosmo. If he displays any signs of aggression or dominance, give the leash a quick snap and have him calm down. You need to discipline him consistently--correcting his unacceptable behavior one day and then not doing anything the next time will only confuse him because he won't get the idea that what he did is wrong.





What really concerns me is Giz's aggression towards you and kids. When you say Giz won't "allow" something... do you notice how HE is the one in control? what about YOU? you should be the one to allow or not allow something, so it's really crucial that you start taking a dominant role in establishing what is acceptable and unacceptable behavior. Like I said, Giz's behavior sounds like it's definitely stemming from the fact that no one has disciplined him as to what he should or should not do. Because he has gotten away with bullying Cosmo and acting dominant towrads you and other people, taht's why he thinks it's ok. So as soon as you start correcting that behavior, and be consistent about it, his behavior should change.
Reply:First off, you have let it go on too long. Giz is top dog and intends to stay that way. Best idea...a very firm no each and every time. I use a small spray bottle to hurry things along, No... and


squirt. No harm no foul....water is in the bottle.
Reply:Your problem is very common.





You allowed the inappropriate behavior, so now you're going to have to fix it.





Find a professional dog trainer, explain your situation, ask if and how they can help. Shop around and don't be afraid to ask questions.





A reputable dog trainer will allow you to put your dog in a basic obedience class for a standard fee, $75-125.00 usually, that will allow you the control you need to put a stop to the behavior.



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