Recognizing Dog Bullying Behavior & How to Stop It

Dog-on-dog bullying, while often misunderstood as just “playing,” can have serious consequences for the victim. Understanding the signs and knowing how to intervene are crucial for maintaining a peaceful multi-dog household.

Recognizing Bullying Behaviors

Bullying goes beyond typical play wrestling. It’s characterized by a consistent pattern of aggressive dominance where one dog targets another, causing distress and fear. Look for these indicators:

• Resource Guarding (Extreme): While some resource guarding is normal, a bully dog will aggressively guard resources (food, toys, space, owner) even when the other dog isn’t actively approaching. Snapping, growling, and lunging are common.
• Stalking and Intimidation: The bully dog may stalk the victim, pinning them down, standing over them, or blocking their access to essential areas like food, water, or their bed. This can create a constant state of anxiety.
• Unrelenting Chasing: Chasing that’s one-sided and doesn’t involve reciprocal play, especially if it leads to the victim hiding or exhibiting fearful body language (tucked tail, flattened ears), is a red flag.
• Excessive Mounting: Mounting can be dominance-related, and when done repeatedly and without consent, it becomes bullying. The victim may try to get away, yelp, or show other signs of discomfort.
• Body Language Clues: Observe the victim’s body language. Signs of fear, anxiety, and stress include: tucked tail, lip licking, whale eye (showing the whites of their eyes), flattened ears, trembling, and avoidance. The bully will often display a stiff posture, raised hackles, and a hard stare.

How to Stop Dog Bullying

Addressing dog bullying requires consistent intervention and management. It’s rarely a “they’ll work it out” situation.

1. Separate the Dogs: Immediately separate the dogs when you witness bullying behavior. Use crates, baby gates, or separate rooms to prevent further incidents. This is crucial for the victim’s safety and well-being.
2. Manage Resources: Feed the dogs separately and provide individual toys and beds to minimize competition. Pick up toys when you’re not actively supervising play.
3. Positive Reinforcement Training: Focus on positive reinforcement training for both dogs. Teach the bully dog alternative behaviors, like “leave it” and “settle,” and reward them for calm, non-aggressive interactions. Boost the victim dog’s confidence with positive reinforcement training too, focusing on building their self-esteem.
4. Supervised Interactions: Only allow the dogs to interact under close supervision. Interrupt any potential bullying behavior immediately and redirect the bully dog to a different activity. Keep interactions short and positive.
5. Seek Professional Help: Consult with a certified professional dog trainer or veterinary behaviorist. They can assess the situation, identify the underlying causes of the bullying, and develop a tailored behavior modification plan. Medication may be necessary in severe cases.
6. Consider Rehoming (as a Last Resort): If the bullying persists despite your best efforts and the victim dog’s well-being is severely compromised, consider rehoming one of the dogs. This is a difficult decision, but it may be the best option for both dogs’ quality of life.

Dog bullying is a serious issue that requires proactive intervention. By recognizing the signs and implementing these strategies, you can create a safer and happier environment for all your canine companions.