sibling rivalry

versatilek9s · Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2008 3:51 pm Post subject: sibling rivalry

I knew it would happen, but I didn't think it would be this soon!

The new puppy has an attitude problem. Oldest dog is definitely the alpha, second dog is very submissive. All females. The new puppy passed Sage in a few weeks after a bit of grumbling.

The puppy is almost 5 months old, and she and the alpha girl got into it last night. Puppy was next to me on the couch, Maya jumped up to say hello and she puppy grabbed her by the lip--I mean grabbed hard. This has been the usual thing, either grabbing Maya's lips or her ears and chomping. Maya has been putting up with it, but not this time. It was a snarling pile of dog for what seemed like forever but was probably only 5 seconds. I didn't do anything at first, but then grabbed them both and put them in their crates.

For those of you with multiple dogs...do I let them work it out? I know some dogs are in it for blood, so I want to prevent that. And I don't want them to fight, but I realize there's a heirarchy that has to work its way out with me at the top. I knew from day one that puppy was gonna make a move!

Knowing my dogs, I don't think this was silly puppy stuff. Incidentally the puppy has gotten a bit of an attitude with me in the past few days, too. The usual puppy stuff...tries to run away, plants all four and won't move when I try to get her inside, becomes a wet noodle when I try and put her in her crate, etc.

thanks!

meredith

anne · Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2008 4:01 pm Post subject:

Dang she made her move early! I would have done exactly what you did. Who was "winning" when you separated them?

versatilek9s · Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2008 4:30 pm Post subject:

Yeh, my thoughts exactly! I figured it would be around 8-9 months. Nope.

They stopped on their own I think. I did the "no-no" and grabbed them by the scruff through the snarls and I think that was enough to snap them out of it. Macy had switched to the "mama, save me!" yelp, so I think she lost that round.

anne · Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2008 11:56 pm Post subject:

Pixy was a "big for her britches" puppy too. I was always glad to see her "losing" the fights but I was always a bit careful as she got older, you know 2 bitches and all....
(There's a reason she's called Pistol Packin' Pixy, she is one tough chick!)

milo08 · Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2008 9:50 pm Post subject:

Mila is now 4 months and when I got her at 8 weeks old she came home to a 6 year old Teacup Maltese. In the beginning Mila would want to play with the Maltese and he would get upset and snap at her and I would repremand him. Then I thought to myself that soon she'll be much bigger then him and will probably hurt him when she tries to play to then I would allow him to defend himself.

Now Mila weights about 30 pounds and he's about 3 pounds and they both play together. Mila plays alot harder though but at least now the Maltese can defends himself. At times when they are playing they sound like they are really getting upset with each other at that point I will usually separate them. I want them to be able to live with each other and play in a nice manner then to injure one another or kill each other.

wildlifecr13 · Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2008 10:05 pm Post subject:

we've been lucky. while zoe is queen, she is pretty tolerant. she will let riley chew on her pretty good and she just grumbles. if she is tired she will growl and snap. usually riley heads for the hills when that happens. if riley is dealing with a case of the zoomies i step in and redirect her energy. if they get too snappy, i bring everything to a stop and they both get quiet time.

DukesMom · Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2008 8:14 am Post subject:

I'm having a bit of the same with my two although they are male and female. Duke has always been really protective over his toys/bones but lately Gracie has been getting real nasty when Duke tries to steal one that she has. They growl and show teeth but so far that's as far as it goes. It sounds just terrible though. And lately I'm noticing that Duke is giving in which really surprises me. Does that mean that Gracie is gaining Alpha status over Duke? She is very sassy and very vocal. I notice she doesn't mess with my 20 lb Pug Bailey (female) though.

versatilek9s · Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2008 1:33 pm Post subject:

DukesMom · Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2008 2:07 pm Post subject:

So true! Maybe she's taking after me Laughing