Dogs fighting each other

[Felix 644]

I've got 4 boxers:

7 Year old neutered male (chill)

2 year old intact female (alpha bitch)

2 year old intact male (big titty baby)

1 year old neutered male (sired by AB and BTB)

 

The two young males have recently started going after each other.  Really it's the "baby" who is initiating it. He's bigger than his daddy, but until recently they've gotten along fine.  We've been trying to find the trigger and it appears to be my wife.  We have been keeping them separated, which is a huge pain in the ass, while we try some behavior modification.  Nothing has worked so far.

 

Last night we were gone for a few hours and all were out free in the house except BTB who was in his crate.  My wife apparently didn't get the crate closed properly and when we came home all were out, but they weren't fighting and seemed to be getting along fine in the yard (I have a dog door).  When my wife went into the house they greeted her as usual and were side by side with no issue.  Baby was even licking BTBs face.  Within seconds of my wife entering the room they were in a full blown brawl and had to be separated forcibly. 

Anybody encountered this?  I've had multiple dogs of various ages for years going back to childhood and I've never quite seen anything like this.  I don't want to have to get rid of the baby, but that seems to be where this is heading unless we can resolve it.

[Parliament 14593]

Kill one of them, and make sure the remaining 3 know they need to unfuck their shit.

[NeverMarryAStripper 22277]

4 boxers seems excessive, so I'd get rid of the wife.

[Sandman 3430]

Start accepting wagers on the fights. Kill the losing dogs and replace with new ones. - Mike Vick

[GlenFromTheMailRoom 1640]

[Angry Gorilla 1771]

Get a 5th boxer

[Felix 644]

32 minutes ago, Angry Gorilla said:

Get a 5th boxer

For all intents and purposes, I have one.  My eldest daughter (no pics) has one and she visits about 4 times a week. 

[deadshank 24654]

Yo, Felix,

Can I come over?

-R. Mexico

[Felix 644]

Might as well!  Everybody else does.

[El Diablo 4232]

When they fight, do they have the makeup sex?

[workswithseed 2204]

Gay incest dogs. There seems something wrong with that.

[52-80 19377]

boxers are old news

 

train em up in some jiujitsu, rexkwondo, etc

[Bigpoppapump 535]

Is it the puppy wanting to play with the dad, but no knowing how and starting shit?  Or just evil in the puppy?

[WhatTheBuck 28928]

Train your wife. 

[Felix 644]

2 hours ago, Bigpoppapump said:

Is it the puppy wanting to play with the dad, but no knowing how and starting shit?  Or just evil in the puppy?

Puppy is initiating the fight.  There is usually a short stare down with growling and raised hackles.  I don't think it's a dominance thing so much as a deferral thing, based on research I've done.  I.E. puppy has something and daddy muscles in and doesn't defer when signaled.  BTB is a lover not a fighter, but he's also kind of clueless sometimes.  The other dogs will just warn him, but the pup goes after him hard.

[Bigpoppapump 535]

21 minutes ago, Felix said:

Puppy is initiating the fight.  There is usually a short stare down with growling and raised hackles.  I don't think it's a dominance thing so much as a deferral thing, based on research I've done.  I.E. puppy has something and daddy muscles in and doesn't defer when signaled.  BTB is a lover not a fighter, but he's also kind of clueless sometimes.  The other dogs will just warn him, but the pup goes after him hard.

The puppy "should" learn how to warn via example, not sure if specific training helps.  I know we've personally been able to reward dogs successfully for good warnings, but we do have an alpha female that will forever be a bitch when it comes to food.

[Felix 644]

34 minutes ago, Bigpoppapump said:

The puppy "should" learn how to warn via example, not sure if specific training helps.  I know we've personally been able to reward dogs successfully for good warnings, but we do have an alpha female that will forever be a bitch when it comes to food.

I think I'll give this a try when the women folk aren't around.  Thanks!