1) To calm hyperactive dogs.
Diet. Avoid canned and semi-moist foods as these usually contain preservatives and artificial colours which cause some dogs to become over-excited. An increase in the protein content of the diet to above 30% results in a calmer dog. Feed the dog a good quality food which will probably have 26% protein for adults and 28% for puppies. To bring the protein content to 30% or more add meat, chicken, fish or cooked egg to the diet daily. It may take as long as a month for the change in diet to calm the dog.
Exercise. The dogs should have as much exercise as possible. Instead of walks you might take the dogs over a series of small jumps, play ball games, let the dogs retrieve sticks thrown into water or down a slope or otherwise engage in strenuous activity.
2) Management.
Watch the encounters between animals without interfering unless it becomes absolutely necessary to prevent injury. These observations should show you which dog is usually the winner and it is this dog you should support in its dominant position. Our feelings of fair play make us want to support the underdog but doing so only prolongs the aggression and increases the risk of injuries.
You support the dominance of one dog in many small ways; feed it first, greet and pat it first, put its lead on first before a walk or let it get into the car first before a ride. As the second dog comes to accept its subordinate position it will stop challenging the dominant dog and the aggression will die down. The dogs usually become good friends and the dominance will only become evident when, for example, you see the subordinate dog get up to give the sunny spot on the carpet to the other dog.
With time you can be more relaxed in your treatment of the subordinate dog but be prepared to stop if you detect resentment from the dominant dog.
3) Safety.
While the fighting for dominance continues you should be careful never to leave the dogs in a confined space, especially without supervision. Most encounters are a growl and snap by one dog; the other may growl and snap back but often less forcefully and then flee. If there is not enough space for the dog to run, then a serious fight may develop.
4) Training.
In a pack, the dogs or wolves establish a general hierarchy among themselves but the serious fighting usually only involves the position of alpha male or female. In a human/dog pack we should take the leadership roles and this will reduce the fighting among the dogs.
You assume a leadership role in the dog's mind by ensuring that every command you give is obeyed at once. To achieve this spend 5 or 10 minutes a day training each dog by itself. With two adults you should alternate the dogs you train. Have the dog on a leash on your left side so on the command "Sit" you can pull up with the leash with your right hand while pushing down on the haunches with the left. If the dog is learning , repeat the command while pushing the dog into position. Praise and reward with treats the moment the dog is seated. For the "Down" use the thumb and forefinger across the spine just behind the shoulder blades to pinch lightly and press down. Teach "Stay" in the down position, at first standing beside the dog and then in front. At this point, if you are going to be sitting down for awhile, seat the dog beside the chair, make it go down and stay while you sit on the lead. Any time it rises, say "No, Sit, Down, Stay". During this time, although you are not actively training the dog, it is having to remember that you have given a command which it has to obey and in doing so is acknowledging your leadership.
The next training exercise is to get the dog to come instantly when called. Until training has reached this point, only call the dog when you have a nylon cord attached to the collar so you can pull the dog to you, if it does not obey the first call. Otherwise go and catch the dog. The nylon cord can be bought by the foot from Canadian Tire and you will need about 20 feet for indoors and 30 to 40 feet for outdoors. If you have to pull the dog towards you, make the dog sit before you give great praise and the tastiest treats.
To keep up your interest and the dog's, when these commands have been learnt, introduce other commands which build on what the dog already knows. Training no longer has to be daily, but there should be some training every week.
You may find it helpful, when you will be sitting for some time in one place, to put the subordinate dog on a leash and put it on a down/stay beside your chair. You sit on the leash so you have control of the dog and can put it down again if it rises. The dominant dog meanwhile is given the run of the house, which reinforces its dominant position. If it approaches you, repeat the stay command to the dog beside you and then treat the dominant dog as if it was the only dog present. Any sign of aggression by the dominant dog should be immediately corrected as the dog which is lying down is in a subordinate position and should not be attacked.
You should be very alert to this possibility and ready to step between the dogs if you think an attack might happen.
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