Keeping the peace between elders...

[6FT2]

Hi,

We have two aging dogs.  One is a lab-elsation while the other is a lab-rotweiler.  Even tho the two are best of friends, they seem to be getting more and more agitated with each other and from time to time they jump down each others throughts.  Obviously, this is to be expected with aging dogs but how does one keep the peace?

To complicate the matter, the lab-elsation is blind (from a middle age due to Elsation eye prob) and the lab-rotweiler is getting stiff and sore with possible arthritis.  The other night, the lab-elsation, accidentally stumbled into the lab-rotweiler's doggy-bed (She tends to get disorientated some time) and the two went at each other.  Usually, this kind of fight is innocent nipping and raised voices and even though it looks vicious there is usually no injuries.  Onfortunately, because the blind one was disorientated, she became flustered and went into full-on attack mode.  The lab-rotweiler now has a cut below her one eye and a puncture in her lower lip.

How should one handle the situation to calm the two down before they explode into a fight?  We know how to spot trouble coming as the lab-rotweiler raises her hair and the lab-elsation curls her tail upwards like a scorpion.  Usually, we don't intervene as this could cause injury to the dogs (and us) but seeing as the lab-elsation can not have a "civilised" row any more, we would much rather try and avoid one all toghether to begin with.

Any advice?

[6FT2]

Hi Ginger

Thanks for the response.  It is really appreciated.

I think you have a very good point there.   The Lab-Elsation (Jessy) is starting to show a little bit of disregard for our authority.  A lot of times, it does seem like the Lab-Rottie (Lollie) is getting egro at her for not listening to us and tries to "help" us discipline her, so I guess we need to be a bit harder on Jessy when she doesn't want to listen.  

As for Lollie's Arthritis, we are currently giving her some meds that we got from the vet and it does seem to help quite a bit.  Also, we are trying to keep them inside during the night as they tend to chase the neighbourhood cats at night and that doesn't do her arthritis any good.  She would jump at a tree where the cat was sitting for hours while Jessy would already have lost interest, realising that the cat is gone.  I guess Rotties ain't as sharp as Elsations ;D.

Thanks for the advice.

[ginger899]

In the meantime, I would certainly see if you can get your Lab-Rottie some medication for the arthritis. If he is in pain, that in itself is going to lower his tolerance-threshold. I would get him to the vet, and fix up pain meds and/or anti-inflammatories for him, if you believe that is necessary, and his arthritis is at that level. Also you could try (if you haven't already) Glucosamine/Chondroitin, because that does help.

[ginger899]

I am sorry you have waited a couple of days for a response. I wish I could help. I am not a 'shining light' when it comes to dog behavior. The best I can do is bump up your post, make it more visible,  and hope someone will have some suggestions to help you.

These two are getting old and grumpy, aren't they? I guess their health problems make their 'fuses' shorter too. My instinct is that you are going to have to intervene as soon as you see any signs of trouble brewing....to show your dominance. But you are going to have to do this in a powerful, yet peaceful way.

The two dogs are subordinate to you. They are both pack members. You are the leader. They are 'below' you in the heirarchy. It does sound a little like they are warring for dominance one over the other. The ideal is for them both to be under your command, and nothing less will do.

I can only throw in the little I do know, and hope someone else will be able to help you more fully.
In the meantime I will try & do a little reasearch, to see if I can find any clues from that Master of Dog Behavior, Cesar Millan.....