Dog problems

[Rowan]

I know there are a lot of dog lovers here at SR - I was hoping someone could help me out with my current canine situation.

I have a 3 year old female beagle. Great pet, no accidents, usual behaviour problems (wanting to rule the house, not listening etc).
We took in a 6 year old male jack russell just over a month ago. They have been fighting off and on which has improved quite a bit. The jack russell will growl at the beagle if he (the jack) is cuddling with me or my daughter, or we are eating something. The beagle has taken to attacking the jack when this happens. I've been bitten a few times separating them (unintentional bites - my fault for getting between them).
One of them has begun peeing in the house and I'm pretty sure it's the beagle. First there was pee on the kitchen floor, now I found it on my daughter's bed, and I put the beagle in her crate last night after the fight. I let her out this morning and the blanket in there smells strongly of urine.
I used to keep the beagle outside during the day, and the jack inside, but the weather is very cold outside now, and we are gone for about 6 1/2 hrs maximum.
The lady who I took the jack from is coming to visit for the first time on Saturday. She and her husb had split up and had no home for the dog - that's why I took him. I don't want to automatically think about getting rid of the jack because we do love him, but I also understand why the beagle is getting so upset.
We have a cat also who gets along with everyone - he's the only sane one around here ATM.
Any suggestions? Insight? Dog whispering?

Thanks

[indigo]

The dog you've had the longest will be peeing to mark his territory to show the new one who's boss, when they sort out their position in the family and the Jack Russell knows who's boss, things should ease off somewhat. I hope that helps.

[cinderellawkids]

Are they fixed? That sometimes helps too

[Rowan]

Yes they are both fixed. And yes Annie I agree it's a territory thing but holy cow how long will this last? I know - no way to tell.

[ccgirl]

Dogs are pack animals and they are just working out who is alpha dog. It should fix itself after a while. The fighting is the same thing.

One small piece of advice; break up any fights with a cup of water, so you don't get bitten. Plus, it's fun to see their faces when the cold water hits them, lol

[barb dwyer]

ccgirl - that's great!

at one point in time - I helped feed and work around about ten african lions. That's how we were trained to break up any altercations with them as well.
I have seen hoses of water used to break up dog fights at the various barns I worked at ...

and -

as a bartender - I learned it worked to break up drunks fighting as well.

Just hose 'em with the spritzer gun right at the bar.
Worked great. Broke up the fight - and got everyone else laughing at the same time.

Drunks get pretty funny looks on their faces when you hit them with water, too.

[ccgirl]

Maybe I should try hosing my kids when they fight, lol


Rowan, another thing. Wherever they have already urinated, Nature's miracle is a good thing to apply so the smell will be removed and the dog won't feel like they have to mark that spot again.

Another thing we do is when we feed them, we mix it all up, make them both sit, put the dishes down and release each one from the sit (the elderly dog gets to go first) If they start fighting while eating, remove the food from them both, and then make them wait for the next meal. Sounds mean, but it's not. You're establishing YOU as the alpha dog.

I'm sure I'll think of more because we have a houseful of animals and hardly any problems because we've put a lot of work into it for years and years.