This past weekend we were visiting family down in Texas and had a great time of it. We've always tried to include Lucy in on our trips whenever possible and she is a great traveller. The weekend was absolutely perfect until we arrived at our daughter Lauren's house on Monday before our scheduled return time. Lucy was in great spirits and doing fine, getting along with everything that came her way until we met up with her former family member Maddy the Boxer dog...
Maddy and Lucy grew up together in the same home for the most part. Actually, Lucy was about 6 months old when we first got her and Maddy helped Lucy join the family. They got along great until Lucy became taller than Maddy. One day they got into a dispute over by their feeding area. Neither of the two dogs backed down, and you guessed it, they got into a fight. Now this behavior has become a common occurrence when they get together.
My problem is, I don't understand why one dog is trying to dominate the other? They both have the same privileges, care and attention. Could their behavior be due to them both trying to establish the Alpha role? Other than keeping the dogs separated is there a technique that can be used to help them get through this behavior when they see each other? Or would it be best just to keep them permanently separated from one another? Help...
2 comments:
Hey Bob, Read your comment of 9/10, and being a dog trainer as well as a boxer owner, 3 males, dad and 2 sons, canine search and rescue, yes it is an alpha thing. as for the feeding issue, it is most important that you are the alpha, and any behavior that is not acceptable to you is corrected right a way. My elder male is 9 years old and his sons are two. the oldest son, by 1 hr 18 min. has tried to take over alpha position from his father, but dad has put him in his place, plus I have backed up dad so merlin understands his place. There was a point of time that merlin would try to push dad away from his bowel, merlin being 30 lbs bigger, I did not let this happen, and corrected this behavior. Now merlin will wait until dad is done eating before he appoarches dads bowel. I have never allowed fighting over food. The two brothers bowels are 2 ft apart. Each knows which bowel is his, There is no fighting or pushing into each other bowel. Why not? because I don't allow it. Be the boss, be the leader. My dogs are cute too, but they still need to be taught every day the rights and wrongs of social behavior. Thats our job as parents and dog owners. You are never being mean, you are doing your job.
Any chance you might breed Lucy? Trying to find a female to breed with for my boys. I have been blessed with animals who love humans and love doing their job in finding humans when they are lost. I want to continue the line. Dad is 4 years retired now and his sons have picked up where he left off. Know anyone else with a white female? My email is aproscia@comcast.net. Drop me a line, Would love to show you my pics of them. Well, hope I was of some help to you. Keep a firm hand and be the leader! God Bless You and your family.
dog training methods
I have been through the whole content of this blog which is very informative and
knowledgeable stuff, So i would like to visit again.
Post a Comment