Dogs.......

 I also have two dogs (two cats, two birds, mts and insanity!)

Its the whole pack leader thing here.

I woud suggest going to Dog Training Classes (I go every Thursday and it has made a massive difference)

Some top tips,

• never ever let the dogs pass a boundary, typically a doorway or gate before you or without your permission, in the dog world the leader always goes first
• always eat before your dogs and keep them at least 3 foot away from you while your eating, then feed them after, do not put their food down unless they are calm; in the dog world the leaders of the pack eat first and get the best bits of the kill, then subordinates are allowed
• when you return home, or even from another room, ignore the dogs for a few minutes (even though it may be the best welcome in the world); when they calm down give them 2 seconds of attention and wait till later before any serious attention from you; in the dog world the pack leaders ignore subordinate dogs when the pack returns to the den after hunting
• do not allow your dogs on furniture, especially beds, the sofa; in the dog world the pack leaders rest and sleep at the heart of the den, subordinates are not allowed near

The reason you can stop the dogs fighting is probably not your strength, it likely to be that the dogs see you higher up the hierarchy than your wife; this is typical in a household where there are male dogs, castration may calm them a little but it won't solve the root cause which I suspect to be pack hierarchy issues. In any case, I would castrate; but that's more of an opinion than a fact.

My guess is, as stated, they are fighting for pack dominance, I would really encourage you to attend classes.

If one is allowed to establish dominance the other dog may be badly hurt in the process. Then, the attentions may turn to other pack members seen as a threat, i.e. intruders to the house (visitors, kids) or even you and your wife; more likely your wife.

I watch Cesar Milan all the time on Sky Three; I learn something new every single episode.

 That all sounds like excellent advice Nick

Must be like a pet shop in your house LOL

 will it work on my wife   

 i certainly know who the pack leader is in my house!!!

actually i'm watching Cesar Milan on Sky Three right now and some thoughts have came to mind

i just saw Cesar dealing with two Dogs in a house who are agressive, i noticed he didn't separate them but held them down together doing that 'claw hand' thing until they were 'calm and submissive'

also, i was thinking today there are other subtle ways that dogs try to dominate, e.g blocking your path as you walk through the house where you physically have to push them out the way, sitting on your feet which is not cuddly as they are trying to stop you moving and playing when they grab you with their mouth which is actually dominance play

hope all that helps

 hi matt, how's it going now?

Well its all going well thanks. Downloaded some of the ceaser episodes, i don't actually think he is a miricle worker, i just think he has confidence and knows dogs. Needless to say though i am adopting his techniques and they work very well. any aggression i pin the dogs down with one hand and they submit. They never go anywhere in front of me. So far so good, no arguments and the dogs seem much better together. Still got problems at feeding time though. not sure what i am going to do about that. Frank just wants to eat everything since the op!!

Built a new run for them the other day, paved it and fenced in, Frank managed to get him self through between to pickets! only up to his hips! so had to take a picket off to get him through the idiot!

Also taken off there cones now which is much nicer was gettign my legs battered by them.

Will update more as time goes by...

Thanks

Matt

 If one dog is trying to eat both lots of food. feed them in seperate rooms Matt

I used to have to do this with my cats when willow was alive. She'd eat her's quickly then push mia out of the way and eat her's too and she let her. Very quickly they knew who ate in which room and would automatically go there at meal times.

 how are your dogs