Resource Guarding - Dogs have been together for 8.5 years...why now?
So sorry for the long post - trying to get as much info out there!
Helpful history/information: I have two dogs: Amelia, 11yr old German Shepherd mix, and Fiona, 8yr old (almost 9) Beagle mix. I adopted Amelia from friends when she was 2mo old in May 2015. I adopted Fiona from a shelter when she was estimated to be 6mo old in Dec 2017. I know it is advised not to have two female dogs, but Amelia doesn't get along with males, so after careful consideration, I decided to adopt Fiona.
These dogs have been together for going on 9 years. They have both had extensive professional training (they even did a 3 week boarding/training program twice together) and I rarely have problems with them, but over the years, Fiona will suddenly decide to start growling at Amelia, which she reacts to, leading to physical fights. These phases seem to last around a week, and we have gone as long as a year without an incident.
Every time we go through one of these phases, I do my best to learn and adjust accordingly, but maybe I am doing it wrong?
Fiona's growls are usually what I would identify as resource guarding. A few years ago, I noticed it with food, so I made sure their food bowls were far enough away that there was no tension. Then, she started doing it with toys, so they stopped sharing a toy basket, and all toys are now given outside for more space, which works well. Then it was me, so I stopped letting them on furniture with me. I supervise everything. They stay in their own rooms when I am at work (rarely longer than 6 hours). They get plenty of time outside, and have their own fenced in yard. I had a pretty good handle on things for a long time, but now it's started back up again.
I am at a loss as to how to handle this now, because it is so random and seems to have no pattern. Why would she be fine for months, even up to a year with not even a hint of tension, then suddenly decide Amelia can't even look in her direction when food is in the same room? Amelia is afraid to even walk past her some nights, even if there are no triggers around. Tonight's post was prompted by a fight caused when Amelia left her bed while my boyfriend and I were eating dinner.
What can I do at this point in their lives? Did I do something wrong all these years? Is my only option to separate them every time someone eats? They just had their annual checkups and all was fine. Fiona has some lumps she is going to get biopsied, but is acting fine otherwise.
Thank you for making it this far!! 🐶