Living with poorly managed small dogs and looking for advice on reducing barking/aggression toward my dog

I’m looking for some advice on a situation involving multiple dogs in a shared household.

I rent a room from a couple in their mid 50's who have three small dogs: a Yorkie, a Mini Schnauzer, and a Mini Schnauzer × Mini Poodle mix. I have a Labrador who is 19 months old. She’s fully grown but small for a Lab at about 49 lbs — still much larger than the other dogs, which are around 7 lbs each, except the mix who is about 25 lbs (and honestly should probably be closer to 15–17 lbs).

Before moving in, I made it clear that free-feeding wouldn’t work because my Lab would eat any food left out and gain weight. The owner agreed, but since I moved in he’s frequently complained about having to make “concessions,” even though feeding dogs on a schedule feels like pretty basic dog ownership to me.

One issue is how he feeds his dogs — he literally throws food directly onto the hardwood floor instead of using bowls. The dogs used to free-feed, which I suspect is why the poodle mix is significantly overweight. I’ve tried gently suggesting alternatives, including measured portions and bowls (which also seem more hygienic since the floors already collect dust and dog hair). I even calculated appropriate feeding amounts, but he isn’t interested in changing anything. His wife has also tried suggesting walks and structured feeding, but he doesn’t listen. His wife has tried to convince him too as I walk my dog twice a day but he won't listen, he says he doesn't want his dogs going on walks and "sniffing other dogs poop".

Behaviorally, the biggest problem is barking and charging at my dog. The two smaller dogs bark at everything and will sometimes chase my Lab outside though the dog door. They can be surprisingly aggressive toward her. My dog is extremely gentle and never retaliates — she usually tries to initiate play with a play bow or hopping movements, especially with the poodle mix. When they play, the mix gets very vocal but shows relaxed body language (tail up, not tucked), so I interpret that as excitement rather than fear. He always tries to frame my dog as the problem too when he does nothing. Anything he tries to get them to stop barking does kind of work but then he just forgets and doesn't follow through.

What worries me is that although the small dogs are tiny, their teeth are still sharp. If they caught my dog’s ear or escalated, someone could get hurt. If these same behaviors came from larger dogs, I think there would already have been a serious incident.

For context, I’ve put a lot of effort into training my dog. She is 19 months old so she’s still young but knows 15+ commands, doesn’t bark indoors except at appropriate things like someone knocking, and is consistently calm and non-aggressive with the other dogs even when they rush her.

Another important detail: the barking and charging behavior only happens when the husband is home. When it’s just me, or me and his wife, the dogs are calm and don’t behave aggressively toward my dog at all. I work four 10-hour shifts each week, and on my days off the difference in their behavior is very noticeable when he is not here.

I’m staying here mainly because the house has a dog door, which has been difficult to find in rentals that allow another dog.

So my question is:

Is there anything I can realistically do to help reduce the barking and charging behavior toward my dog when the owner is present, even though I’m not the one handling or training those dogs? I can only do so much as I'm not the owner and need to respect boundaries.

I want everyone — dogs included — to coexist safely, but I’m not sure what options I have when I can’t control how the other dogs are managed.

submitted by /u/Elegant_Ad_8896
[link] [comments]

Source

View Best Offer