If you live in a multi-pet household, you don’t need me to tell you about the problem of dogs fighting over toys. You probably don’t need me to tell you what a massive headache it is, either.
Not that toys are the only thing they squabble over, of course. Despite the fact that dogs are widely regarded as sociable creatures, not all dogs get on with each other all the time.
Ultimately, dogs can fight over multiple things and for multiple reasons, most of which are driven by normal canine instincts.
Although some dogs are naturally more inclined towards aggression than others, even the friendliest of dogs can turn into a lean, mean fighting machine given the right circumstances.
Fortunately, the situation isn’t hopeless. Because while fighting is a serious concern, there are a few very simple strategies you can use to bring the bloodshed to an end.
To get the ball rolling, I’d first recommend checking out the short video below from Dan Abdelnoor (aka Doggy Dan) over at The Online Dog Trainer.
During the video, Dan reveals what to do, but more importantly, what NOT to do when it comes to calming the aggressive tendencies in your dogs.
So watch the video, implement the training Dan recommends, and you’ll see a marked improvement in your dog’s ability to remain calm in any situation that triggers unwanted fighting.
Here’s the video link to take a look: Click Here To Discover How To Finally Stop Your Dogs Scary, Aggressive Fighting Problem… Even If You’ve Tried & Failed Before!
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Why Do Dogs Fight?
You don’t necessarily have to understand why your dog does what they do to get them to stop. But it really doesn’t hurt.
Understanding the motivation for an animal’s behavior can help make the situation solvable. And once that happens, you’re going to find it a lot easier to work out how to prevent and stop unwanted behaviors.
Interdog aggression can be distressing, especially when it seems to arise out of nowhere. When two otherwise friendly dogs suddenly start tearing strips out of each other, it can be difficult to work out why.
Leaving fighting over toys to one side for a moment (we’ll circle back to that shortly), some of the most common explanations for fights include:
Territorial Aggression
Most dogs are territorial, at least to a certain extent. If a dog sees your backyard as its own personal playground, it’s going to get mighty peeved if another dog wanders in without permission.
The problem is particularly intense in breeds such as Doberman Pinschers, Rottweilers, Bull Mastiffs, Rhodesian Ridgebacks, German Shepherds, and Gian Schnauzer. All of which are infamous for their territorial instincts.
Redirected Aggression
You know how they say you hurt the one you love most? It turns out dogs are just as guilty of it as we are.
If one of your dogs gets frustrated but can’t get to the object of its frustration (maybe it’s spotted another dog on the other side of the fence), it’s going to take that frustration out on whatever’s closest.
If you live in a multi-pet household, that usually means its best buddy is going to feel the sharp end of its tongue.
Overstimulation
If you’re a parent, you’re probably used to telling your kids about laughter soon turning into tears. It’s the same with dogs. What often starts out as friendly play can quickly escalate into something altogether nastier if they become overstimulated.
Asserting Dominance
Dogs don’t do equality. There always needs to be a pack leader, and they’re always needs to be a hierarchy. Unfortunately, dogs don’t prize book smarts or kindness when it comes to choosing a pecking order.
If the dogs in your household haven’t yet established a stable hierarchy, they’re going to keep duking it out until they agree on where they stand. In the case of dogs with near equal dominant status, this could go on for a long, long time.
Unwittingly, many dog owners can exasperate the problem by showing support for the underdog.
Although it’s a natural enough reaction, elevating the position of a dog that would otherwise be subordinate and scolding the dominant dog creates an unnatural balance that’s going to do nothing to stop the problem from continuing.
The Final Straw
Dogs have a stress button. If that button gets pushed one too many times, they’re going to explode. But it’s not the final push that gets them. It’s the culmination of every push so far.
If your dog has been experiencing multiple stressors over a protracted period (a change in environment, a decrease in exercise, increased tension in the home, etc.), just one look from another dog could be enough to make them snap.
Dislike
You can’t like all the people all the time. And your dog can’t like all the dogs all the time either.
Some dogs just don’t like certain other dogs. It’s strange, but it’s true.
Maybe they don’t like their scent, their personality, the cut of their coat – whatever. They just don’t like them, and if they dare to come near, they’re not going to hesitate in showing it.
The Dangers of Fighting Dogs
Always wondering when the next dog fight is going to break out can be emotionally draining.
If you’re forever yelling at your dogs to quit fighting or constantly trying to find a way to break them up. You’re probably desperately in need of a solution right about now. And so are your dogs.
If dog fights don’t look a whole heap of fun, it’s because they’re not. Regardless of whether the dogs are well matched in size and strength or not, fights can lead to serious injuries. Worst case scenario, they can even result in death.
When the consequences are that serious, you can understand why finding a solution is so crucial.
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Why Do Dogs Fight Over Toys?
We’ve already talked about some of the generic reasons dogs fight. But what if your dog only turns into the Hulk when there’s a toy around? What is it about certain playthings that make your dog forget their good upbringing and turn into the biggest bruiser in town?
The reasons are manifold, but in most cases, your dog’s behavior can be explained by one of the following:
Possessive Aggression
In a dog’s mind, possession is nine-tenths of the law.
And if they feel another dog is threatening something that’s theirs (this could be their pack, their food, their toys, or anything else they consider their property), that’s all the justification they need to launch a scathing attack.
Resource Guarding
A dog sees certain things as valuable. So, when another dog mozzies along and tries to take that thing away from them. They’re obviously not going to be too pleased about it.
Most of the explanation for this kind of ‘resource guarding’ is instinctive.
Back in the days before domestication, dogs had to work hard for their lunch. If they’d spent all day catching that rabbit, they weren’t going to give it up easily, no matter how nicely they were asked.
In other cases, they can learn the behavior. If the last time they gave up a toy, it got taken away from them. They’re going to make sure it doesn’t happen again.
And if that means fighting anyone who dares come in sight of it, then so be it.
The problem usually gets worse around new toys – the more novelty a toy has, the more value a dog ascribes to it.
Usually (and fortunately), a dog will guard the toy with its mouth – as a result, most aggression is limited to muffled growls. But if the dog drops the toy when another dog approaches, things can quickly take a turn for the nasty.
Aggressive by Nature
Some breeds are just more aggressive than others.
Pit Bull Terriers, Staffordshire Terriers, Rottweilers, German Shepherds, Presa Canarios, Chows Chows, Doberman Pinschers, Akitas…
…Breeds like these are known to have aggressive streaks that, left unchecked, can result in excessive reactions to just about anything, including other dogs trying to take a toy from them.
Proper socialization can do wonders at reigning in the aggression, but slack off on the training, and you could be looking at a world of trouble.
How to Stop Dogs Fighting Over Toys
Now you’ve got a better idea of what’s causing your dogs to fight over toys, it’s time to stop it.
Supervise
If the ‘fights’ rarely get past the point of some mild growling, make sure to supervise your dogs whenever there are toys around. It’s also worth having a backup plan in place just in case things take a turn for the worse.
Separate
If things have escalated beyond mild disputes, separate your dogs whenever there are toys around. It may seem inconvenient or even mean, but it’s much better than the alternative.
Keep Calm and Carry On
Regardless of what technique you use to treat the problem, having a few tricks up your sleeve to instantly reduce tension and introduce some calm is vital.
This is where the Dog Calming Code comes in handy whenever you sense an escalation of tensions or as a way of restoring the peace after any unforeseen face-off.
In short, it’ll work wonders at permanently changing ANY of your dog’s behavioral issues for the better.
Have a Backup Plan
Even if you intend on keeping your dogs away from each other when toys are around, having a backup plan in case of emergency is still a good idea.
Teaching your dogs a strong command that will instantly focus their attention on you is one way of doing this.
Once you issue the command and your dogs come to you, lead them away from the toy to a ‘safe’ area where you can reward them with a treat.
While you’re in the process of teaching them the cue, keep something noisy to hand (a horn, a whistle, or some pot lids, for example) that you can use to distract them from each other before redirecting their attention to a more positive activity.
Desensitization and Counterconditioning
While avoidance can work as a short-term answer to the problem. Desensitization and counterconditioning offer a permanent remedy.
With the help of a professional, or with a lot of hard work and dedication if you prefer to do it yourself. Your dog can be conditioned to welcome another dog while they’re playing with a toy.
Likewise, the ‘non-aggressor can be trained to divert their attention away from a guarding dog onto another activity.
It works like this…
…Next time your dog is playing, pick up their toy (to start, it should be a mid-ranking toy rather than their favorite) with one hand, and with the other, show them a high-value treat.
If they want the treat, they’re going to have to release the toy. Once they’ve finished eating, give them back the toy.
Keep repeating the exercise as often as possible, eventually working your way up through the ranks of toys until you reach their favorite.
You can vary up the treats but always make sure they’re of a higher value than the toy. Over time, you’ll eventually condition your dog to associate relinquishing a toy with something good happening.
Teach Basic Obedience
The earlier you start training your dog in basic obedience, the better.
Commands like ‘off’ and ‘leave’ can help you take control of situations. Once your dog knows you’re the one who controls resources and not them, they’ll find it easier to relinquish their valued toys.
Remember, practice makes perfect. Every time your dog is in the middle of playing with a toy, command them to leave it. Once they do, reward them with something even more valuable than the toy (i.e., a high-value treat).
Once they learn that giving up control of their toy leads to bigger and better things, they’re less likely to be precious about it when another dog wants to get in on the action.
Get Them Fixed
Spaying/ neutering is a great mellower – if your dog is inclined towards unwanted aggressive behaviors, you’ll notice a marked difference once they’ve been fixed.
It may sound like a drastic solution, but unless you plan on breeding your dog, there’s no reason not to do it.
Final Thoughts
Dogs fighting over toys isn’t that uncommon. Knowing other people are going through the same thing might not make you feel better, but trust me, this isn’t a helpless situation. It’s also not one you can afford to ignore.
Finding a solution to the problem is vital. Not just for your own sanity, but for your dog’s safety.
No technique is going to work overnight. Like most things, it’s a process. But persevere – no matter how slow the progress, you’ll get there. And once you do, all the effort will be worth it.
