Fighting between Ridgeback and Border Collie puppy

[melissap]

Great tips! Please remember to sign your posts peeps 
Melissa

[dippa]

Well its been a few months since I posted about the aggression issues we were having between our Border Collie and Ridgeback so I thought I provide an update for those who were curious or in a similar position.

BTW it's a positive update

Max the Ridgy is now 6 months 2 weeks old and and Hugo the Border Collie 5 months and 3 weeks.  There has been no escalation in the violence infact its dropping off quickly and we now have two pups getting along very well all most all the time now!

So after my last update we continued walking, feeding them separately and giving each separate time with us. Exercise and mental stimulation at home and away from home also has been very important and helpfull, especially because we live in Sydney with a smallish backyard. Doing these things daily was preventing the issue from escalating, we also kept a close eye on them and have learnt to spot the body language leading up to any aggression so we be proactively address the troublemaker and separate them if using a loud voice to stop doesn't stop them before it escalates!

At its worst it was happening at least once every day or two, sometimes more and it was getting a little worrying to say the least! Saying this there had been no major wounds inflicted on each other apart from a few light scrapes, I did notice some blood a few times but couldn't find the associated cut so attributed it to teething, but nothing major.

Anyway we noticed the biggest change a month ago, we put them both in the kennels for 6 nights while we had some work done in the back yard. The two trouble makers ended up being kept separated due to this fighting (with each other, not others) as the kennels not able to spend the time we do keeping an eye on them. Then the next day after we picked them up we had them both de-sexed.

I'm not sure which helped more, the break in their routine at a new place (the kennels are great btw, and they get alot of out door exercise and they match like dogs up to play together) or the de-sexing. I tend to think its been a combination of both as the de-sexing from my understanding will not make any immediate change if any at all depending on the dog.

So now we rarely see Hugo start up at Max anymore, I'd say once a week at most, starting to lean more towards once a fortnight!

We are keeping up with keeping them separated during different periods of the day but we are now taking them together to the dog park to get a good run. Its a big relief as we would have been gutted if we'd had to pick one to re-home!

[caro]

Good news!  I hope things continue to improve for you.
Caroline

[melissap]

Dippa,
I am glad to hear that you have made the effort to work with them seperately to keep ensure your place as pack leader and give them each some individual attention and training to ensure they both feel confident, bonded and are well socialized 

Great news on the decline of excessively rough play between them.

Do keep this up! Training should be something that takes presidence until the dog is at least 2 years old and ideally would continue is small increments through their life time - I am sure they enjoy working with you.

Also, as you do not post often - PLEASE sign your posts so we can address you by your name 
Thanks,
Melissa

[George Boateng]

Well its been a few months since I posted about the aggression issues we were having between our Border Collie and Ridgeback so I thought I provide an update for those who were curious or in a similar position.

BTW it's a positive update

Max the Ridgy is now 6 months 2 weeks old and and Hugo the Border Collie 5 months and 3 weeks.  There has been no escalation in the violence infact its dropping off quickly and we now have two pups getting along very well all most all the time now!

So after my last update we continued walking, feeding them separately and giving each separate time with us. Exercise and mental stimulation at home and away from home also has been very important and helpfull, especially because we live in Sydney with a smallish backyard. Doing these things daily was preventing the issue from escalating, we also kept a close eye on them and have learnt to spot the body language leading up to any aggression so we be proactively address the troublemaker and separate them if using a loud voice to stop doesn't stop them before it escalates!

At its worst it was happening at least once every day or two, sometimes more and it was getting a little worrying to say the least! Saying this there had been no major wounds inflicted on each other apart from a few light scrapes, I did notice some blood a few times but couldn't find the associated cut so attributed it to teething, but nothing major.

Anyway we noticed the biggest change a month ago, we put them both in the kennels for 6 nights while we had some work done in the back yard. The two trouble makers ended up being kept separated due to this fighting (with each other, not others) as the kennels not able to spend the time we do keeping an eye on them. Then the next day after we picked them up we had them both de-sexed.

I'm not sure which helped more, the break in their routine at a new place (the kennels are great btw, and they get alot of out door exercise and they match like dogs up to play together) or the de-sexing. I tend to think its been a combination of both as the de-sexing from my understanding will not make any immediate change if any at all depending on the dog.

So now we rarely see Hugo start up at Max anymore, I'd say once a week at most, starting to lean more towards once a fortnight!

We are keeping up with keeping them separated during different periods of the day but we are now taking them together to the dog park to get a good run. Its a big relief as we would have been gutted if we'd had to pick one to re-home!

Good news and we've experienced something similar ourselves. Our BC is 18 months and George is now 11 months ... like you their play fighting would escalate into aggressive play then into a proper dust up a few times a day. Both dogs are now fed separately and even though George is the quicker eater and has the greater amount of food, he still finishes before the BC but knows he can't touch the BC's food.

They do have the odd scrap now and again ... usually over a bone or if one catches the other in a sensitive place such as round the mouth. They often play rough when out on walks but a quick bark from one of us keeps them in their places ... they run to us tails wagging and guilty looks and will then assume play in a less spirited nature.