Two puppies, same house - fights

[Mi1997]

Hi guys! We're new here and need some help.

I have two puppies, both American Bulldog Cross, one is 14 weeks (Hunter) and the little one is 8 weeks (Chester).

When I first brought Chester home couple of days ago, Hunter wasn't very interested in the new puppy, however after few sniffs and after seeing that he moves and tries to bark he became too much interested. The next few days were mainly fights between those two, I've tried few things but nothing seems to work
It worries me because Hunter doesn't know how to be gentle yet, and most of the time he goes for his 'private parts'. I've tried spot ons, calming oils and diffuser but they only work for about an hour or so. Also tried saying 'no' and 'stop' and when he did stop he had a treat but now he does that on purpose just to get the treat

They're very cute when they're asleep and they sleep together, it's just play time they don't know how to communicate and Hunter keeps biting him and walks all over him, think he might be a bit jealous (stealing the toys that Chester tries to play with, eating and drinking from Chester's bowls) but I still do all the stuff with him that I've done before the new pup.

Anyone has any ideas how to help us? For now I just separate them when I'm not in the room but as soon as they're back together it all starts again

 

[JoanneF]

Wow - two puppies that age are not for the faint hearted.

The first thing is to intervene and separate them before play gets out of control. It may be just rough play which can sound like all hell has broken loose but even so, they won't even realise it themselves until it becomes over-arousal and trying to stop it is harder than trying to prevent it in the first place.

You asked about keeping them separate - yes, but not because of the playing / fighting.

Read as much as you can about littermate syndrome. Even if they are not from the same litter, it applies to any puppies of similar age. One of the things they need to learn is how to function as individuals so it is important for them to have time apart. And expect all training to take more than three times as much work as training one puppy. Everything needs to be trained with each pup as an individual, then again as a pair (when they will be distracting each other too). It is do-able but it is a lot of hard work.

Did I mention adolescence? Good luck ...

 

[lurcherman]

All I will say is you’ve got your hands full for sure I’m the coming months and years ahead, you will gain muscle I’m sure hehe.

 

[Mi1997]

#JoanneF
The older one is toilet and lead trained, he's good off the lead too, hopefully the little one will be as good as his 'brother'. I'm ok with toilet training and all that puppy stuff, it's just them 'playing' I think I'll just let them play and separate when it's gets very rough

 

[Tinytom]

You say American bulldog crosses ...what is the cross. ..

 

[Mi1997]

#Tinytom
One is American Bulldog x Presa Canario and the other one is American Bulldog x XL American Bully

 

[Tinytom]

Blimey that is some crosses ...you are brave

 

[Tinytom]

I would monitor play at all times especially them both being males as this may esculate the older they get ...i would also take them to socialising classes ....
What are you feeding them

 

[Mi1997]

#Tinytom
Hopefully they'll be both good and calm boys as they're growing up around small kids
They can be very cute but also very scary when they start barking and biting
Now they're both on Royal Canin Maxi Puppy dry food and Lily's Kitchen wet food. Maybe I need to try and give them something with less calories or for smaller breeds and that might bring their energy level down but also don't want them to have not enough nutrients in the diet to keep them growing big and healthy

 

[Tinytom]

Have you thought about a raw diet .....its easier than you think and so beneficial

 

[Mi1997]

#Tinytom
I've heard and read about it, few of my friends and family members have done it yet some people still say dogs will bite people after eating raw meats might get some of it at the weekend and start next week and see how it goes

 

[JudyN]

yet some people still say dogs will bite people after eating raw meats

I know one has to be careful, but...that's codswallop!

 

[Mi1997]

I know one has to be careful, but...that's codswallop!

Will try it and see, if family members are too scared they can move out
but need to read about it a lot first and make sure they get all they need and make some meal plans for both

 

[Tinytom]

Lots of us feed raw on here so if you have any questions just ask