Do Dog Siblings Fight?

If you have more than one dog, you may think they compete with each other regularly, especially when you’re handing out treats or rewards, initiating playtimes, or trying to conduct training. But why does this happen? Is it a form of doggy sibling rivalry?

It’s easy to think dogs have a sense of rivalry among them. But it’s much more likely that their opportunist natures are just kicking in. When dogs seem something they want, they will do anything they can to try and get it, even stepping over their siblings! Often, they also start to recognize that when you call another dog’s name, you’re bringing out something all the dogs in the room want – and hence, they come running, too!

Using the opportunistic “rivalry” to your advantage is possible. Some dogs may learn by example, meaning they will learn from watching their siblings succeed. Others can be distracted from bad behavior when other dogs are rewarded for good behavior.

The main issue you have to worry about among dogs with particularly strong senses of rivalry are the issues of jealousy and guarding. A jealous dog may become aggressive towards their siblings, while a guarding dog may lash out at anyone who tries to take their “earned” items. Discuss these issues with a professional trainer and see what can be done.

Feature Image Source: Pixabay