Male aggression

[Lynn]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=op1DOYDybjc

have a look at this one

[Teddy]

That was a joy to watch, thanks for posting. I had a foxhound for 9 years and sadly had to say goodbye to her a year next month, she was so gentle and we felt privileged to have had her live with us.

[DesO'Neile]

For over fifteen years I had one big kennel and everybody lived in it, whatever breed whatever sex. When a bitch came in season the dogs lived in the back of the jeep and went to work with me. For the majority of the time, other than choosing places on the sleeping bench, there seemed to be no hierarchy but then Max arrived and became the Alpha and Bold took over when Max went. Both these dogs rulled the roost with a mailed fist. Max had the odd row as he was prone to a mild sort of epilepsy and the minute he was below par it was pay back time and everybody had a go. Bold had an easier time but there was aparadox about Bold. It wouldn't be the first time I saw him walking about with pups hanging from his ears. He seemed to have a second puppy hood when there were pups around and as well as play with them I saw him on occasions discipline a bitch for being rough with a pup. It was quite fun to watch him with the pups. If one would nip him and hurt him he would literally take its head in his mouth and growl. That always seems to sort things out. Pointers are an easy ride compared with Irish Setters. They can live together peacefully for years but should they fall out it's for life.
It is natural for dogs to sort out the pecking order. I first realised Max was the Alpha when I realised that the other dogs were fighting each other to get to lie beside him but after a couple of week every body knew their place and things settled down. After a bich had been is season was the worst time. While they are on they are at least the top bitch so it would take a day or two for things to settle down when the dogs went back in.
I now have five runs and dogs are paired though in severe weather three maybe go in one kennel for the sake of warmth. I would say that things go relatively smoothly BUT I have more potential for serious rows now than ever before. Basso and Chris can't be left with Tam and ideally Basso and Chris aren't left together but everybody else mixes and matches well.

[WGD]

Des - do you think the potential for rows now is because the dogs aren't in one big kennel from day one or is it just the different characters you have?

[DesO'Neile]

The pairs learn to at least tollerate each other so if you juggle them about you upset the balance and they want to sort out who is in charge. Obviously one dog could kill another if there was a fight but now that I have a single sex kennel and feed the dogs in pairs there's little reason to fight. When the dogs are all together it always seemed to be calm but then I made sure that the dogs were kept away when the bitches were on.When the dogs are in a pack if there is a fight it seems that all the dogs will end up attacking one dog and if they don't kill it outright it will die eventually. I only know of one other person who has communal kennels and over the years they have lost several dogs to two kennel fights but then they have always had a bitch kennel and bitches are deadly when riled.

[alfie12]

Thanks for your replies . Interesting stuff ! When the 2 older boys start growling and posturing I stamp my foot and shout ENOUGH ! in a gruff voice. When they stop I reward them and all is well. They have never done it outside only in the house. The younger one sometimes barks at them when they do it and the situation revs up a gear . I just hope I am reacting in the right way as I really don't want things to get worse. If I didn't intervene I just wonder how far they would go ! I really don't want a fight . I have been exercising them like a mad thing to tire them out which def helps.
Audrey