My territorial dog fought my puppy. How to prevent future fights?

Question

I have three dogs, two middle age and one puppy. My first dog has always been territorial about certain things, such as her favorite spot to lay (under the kitchen table). My second dog is very laid back and doesn't upset the first dog. However, the puppy is trying to figure out her place in the pack and accidentally "set off" the first dog. They fought and my husband and I broke it up and gave them their own space and they seem to be ok now, but I fear that the same thing will happen again. Pet's info: Dog | Golden Retriever | Female | spayed | 6 years and 1 month old | 28 lbs

Jenna Beyer, DVM, MBA, cVMA · Accepted Answer

Yes, some dogs can be very territorial and fighting can certainly cause damage. I would recommend that you are always close by to monitor their interactions and be available to separate them if needed. It is quite possible that as the puppy matures, it will find the boundaries set by your older dog and learn to respect them. However, some dogs never seem to get along. In this case you may have to confine them to separate areas of the house to keep them safe from each other. If the older dog is protective of toys or treats, you may just need to remove these all together to prevent fights. If it is during meal times, the dogs may need to be crated while eating or placed in different rooms. Here is some helpful information on fighting in dogs, including a section on training: http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=2303

My territorial dog fought my puppy. How to prevent future fights?

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