Adjusting to 4th dog

[QChickieMama]

We now have 4 intact dogs, 2F & 2M. The youngest is a 12-wk F pup. They're all adjusting quite well with the exception of the 2 boys. The 7yo F is alpha, undisputed. The next male is 3yo and the next "pecking order" male is 6yo. They have taken to fighting, either over position or over the new female. The 3yo M has claimed the young F pup as his, and I think the 6yo M is feeling displaced.

The main question is how can we help the 2 boys not fight. Once, the 3yo M tooth scraped the 6yo M face near his eye. He has a nice scar now near his eye. Not to mention how upsetting the fighting is to the family.

Getting the boys snipped isn't an option. They belong to two of my grown children who want to retain reproductive options.

Ideas?

 

[Tortoise]

You won't, specially once the females come into heat. You will have too house separately or get them fixed. It's healthier for the animal too be fixed. Much lesser chance of cancer. Do either the males or the females. I would do it asap.
If your kids aren't into breeding and have the proper knowledge to breed, they shouldn't. I have bred, raised and showed dogs. Work as a groomer, trainer, kennel manager and vet assistant.

 

[Folly's place]

Pack order is difficult sometimes, and neutering one or preferably both males would be good here. Is your bitch fixed, or does she come in heat? Things are probably very exciting then!
I've had two male dogs, both neutered, who couldn't decide who was 'on first', and another time, two bitches, same problem.
Both times one of the feuding pair was rehomed, before bad injuries occurred. The constant arguing and actual fighting wasn't worth it!
You can try working with a behaviorist and possibly can sort this out, but I wouldn't count on it. Or, you can live in an armed camp, always on guard for that very bad day when terrible injuries occur, while having separate pens for them.
Mary

 

[QChickieMama]

Pack order is difficult sometimes, and neutering one or preferably both males would be good here. Is your bitch fixed, or does she come in heat? Things are probably very exciting then!
I've had two male dogs, both neutered, who couldn't decide who was 'on first', and another time, two bitches, same problem.
Both times one of the feuding pair was rehomed, before bad injuries occurred. The constant arguing and actual fighting wasn't worth it!
You can try working with a behaviorist and possibly can sort this out, but I wouldn't count on it. Or, you can live in an armed camp, always on guard for that very bad day when terrible injuries occur, while having separate pens for them.
Mary

The 7yo F is not fixed, and when she's in heat, it's a complete zoo here. We do have boys living in the garage and girls live in the office, but we usually run them together unless one is in heat.

I would like the 6yo M to go live with his owner, my son, but he'd be in an apartment for up to 10 hrs at a time. Here he has acreage to run and constant people in and out.

If no one has ideas, we will figure out something.

 

[Folly's place]

Then it will be rotating crate or kennel time to save everyone's sanity, and trips to the vet's office with bite wounds.
Mary

 

[Folly's place]

We also had dogs marking territory in the house! Yuck!
Mary

 

[QChickieMama]

Then it will be rotating crate or kennel time to save everyone's sanity, and trips to the vet's office with bite wounds.
Mary

Dear Mary, I don't appreciate your declaring my dogs will have bite wounds. I'm clearly asking for advice but not emotion or pressure or drama. Thank you.

 

[Folly's place]

I'm just speaking from experience here, and I'd love to think that your dogs wouldn't ever act out in that way.
Mary