dsjnix: how do I get a german shepherd and cocker spaniel to get along?
We have a 10-year-old cocker spaniel that we have had for about 5 years. We recently adopted a 5-year-old german shepherd. Both are males and both seem to be alpha dogs. The cocker spaniel has been neutered, the german shepherd has not.
Can we get them to stop fighting before my cocker spaniel gets killed? He has taken two nasty bites. It's weird they met on neutral territory, and we walk them together and leave them together and they are usually fine. The first time they fought over food, this last time they seemed to fight over nothing. Can this be fixed or am I going to have to give one of them up?
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Answers and Views:
Answer by alis_n_1derland
This can happen when you introduce a new dog in the mix, even if both dogs are fixed, both are males, both females, or one of each. Even if you leave and think they are okay I would separate them, it may help to get your shepherd fixed, but really only time will help.
I know it only takes a few seconds for a dog the size of a shepherd to do some serious damage to another dog – I always watch my shepherds (male and female) around other dogs they don't know well. They are not mean, but it is their yard, their toys, their person, etc, and only time and patience, and constant watching the dogs interact will get them used to share with another dog.
It will take some time for both dogs, I raise and breed shepherds and while it may take months, they always end up buddies or at least tolerating each other.
Answer by VAgirl
Cockers are not the most dog-friendly breed-it may be that after 5 years as your top dog, taking on a new dog is not going to work. The food issue was a red flag, a fight over nothing is another big flag.
First, don't leave them alone anymore. If you can't be there with them, use a crate.
Second, get the GSD fixed right away! It may not solve the situation totally but it will help.
Finally, if you really want to keep them both, get a dog trainer who has knowledge of dealing with aggression issues.
If it comes to giving one up, please don't give up your cocker of 5 years! It will be tough to place a dog who is ten.
Best of luck hope that all of you are able to live in peace and harmony soon:)
Answer by Peter B
Cocker spaniel and the german shepherd are two very common breeds in the United States. They are very different dogs in terms of size and temperament but they often get along with each other.
In fact, they can live together as long as the cocker spaniel realizes that the shepherd is the leader.
VIDEO: Cocker Spaniel plays with two German Shepherds.
Answer by Lilah
Have a professional dog behaviorist and trainer come in to evaluate the situation. The main thing is that you are the alpha, not them. You tell them how to be. Your cocker deserves a visit from a trained professional who will see not only what your dogs are doing, but what you are doing as well.
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Answer by brooke
in my opinion, you shouldn't bring another male into a house that already has a male in the house especially since the new dog is bigger than the existing dog. but if they fight over food try feeding them in a separate room or try kennel training them to train them that your the alpha dog not the two of them, that might put them back into perspective, but usually, if it's a male German Shepperd and he's already spent five years of thinking that he's the alpha dog then odds are it's not going to be easy to break him of it.
Answer by Max
Cocker spaniel and GSD do not get along too well because both dogs want to be in charge. When walking either one of these two dogs on a leash, if they get too close to each other then there might be an argument that could result in them fighting.
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