Amber’s two dogs, one bigger and the other smaller, have started attacking each other when barking at the gate. How can she stop this destructive behaviour without compromising her security?

Question

Hi. some concern about my 3-4 y.o spayed bitches. Both adopted as pups, play together happily, but recently the larger one has started attacking the smaller one when they are barking at people or other dogs through the gate, which also has become more vicious than before. Otherwise they are not vicious and are fairly well trained- have attended a lot of obedience classes. In fact the larger one is the better-behaved one.

Hi Amber
Unfortunately dogs lose their heads and may start attacking each other when they are excited … and that’s when the damage is done.
You’re in a bit of a Catch 22 situation here, because if you stop them putting on a good show at the gate your security factor goes out of the window, and if you don’t stop them ‘showing muscles’ they are going to have a go at each other.
Perhaps you could reach a happy medium? Use a deterrent like water or noise when they perform at the gate, but don’t over do it or you’ll have all the burglars coming to visit them.
Take care – it’s a tricky one.
Glynne