You are here:

Canine Behavior/new, larger dog mounting smaller dog already in household

Advertisement

Expert: - 10/22/2008


Question
Hi, We have a 10-lb Pom and just had a 5-lb teacup Pom who died at 16 years.  The 10-lb is 8.  They got along great, and the older one was happy to have the younger one be the alpha.
We just rescued a 15-lb, neutered Pom, who is also considerably taller than the 10-lb. His owner died and he has been staying at a vet or in foster homes.  He is perfect, except that he has started mounting the 10-lb who is upset. (He's neutered too).  He is also doing it to the cats, but they have put him in his place.  I know it's a dominance thing. How can I change the new guy's behavior so that my 10-lb dog does not feel dominated?

Answer
How do you know the 10 lb dog is upset? This is an important question.  Are you projecting or is he vocalizing, showing fear, hiding, etc.?  That dog knows very well what's going on.  He may not like the fact that's he's being dominated (change of role for him), but if he's responding normally this "problem" should be very short term and self extinguish.  In the case between these two dogs, it appears that the resident may very well be a candidate for demotion by the new comer, whether or not you agree.  Interfering may cause more problems than it's worth.  If your older Pom is really "upset", I need you to explain further so I can help you.

Canine Behavior

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Jill Connor, Ph.D.

Expertise

I have spent my entire professional life rehabilitating the behavior of the domestic dog and I can answer any question regarding any behavior problem in any breed dog. If you are a caring, committed owner and need advice, I'm here for you. THERE ARE NO QUICK FIXES for serious behavioral issues; not only is it unprofessional to offer same, it is also unethical. IF I ASK YOU SUBSEQUENT QUESTIONS, I NEED YOU TO INTERACT WITH ME. More information equals more credible answers and a more successful outcome. If you want ANSWERS THAT WORK, participate in any way I request. I'm quite committed to working on this site for YOUR benefit and the benefit of YOUR DOG. Help me in any way you can.

Experience

30 years of solving serious behavior problems in domestic dogs; expert in dog to human aggression; Internet columnist for ThePetChannel.com for 5 years; former radio talk show host, WHPC.FM, Garden City, NY "Bite Back" (1995 through 2000). List owner, international animal behavior experts, K9Shrinks@egroups.com. Seminar leader: "Operant Conditioning and Learning"; "Aggression in The Domestic Dog"; "Solving Problem Behaviors" -- conducted for various training facilities on Long Island from 1993 through 2000. Former clinical director of "Behavioral Abnormalities" in conjunction with Mark Beckerman, DVM, Hempstead, New York.

Organizations
Member, APDT (UK); Psychologists in Ethical Treatment with Animals

Publications
Harcourt Brace Learning Direct: "The Business of Dog Training" "The Fail Safe Dog: Brain Training, not Pain Training"

Education/Credentials
Ph.D., UC Berkeley

Past/Present Clients
Board of Directors: Northeast Dog Rescue Connection; The Dog Project; Sav-A-Dog Foundation; etc. Pro Bono counselor: Little Shelter Humane Society My practice is presently limited to forensics. I diagnose cause of dog bite, based upon testimony before the Court, for attorneys and insurance companies litigating dog bites, including fatal injuries. I also do pro bono work for bona fide rescue organizations, humane societies, et al, regarding such analysis in an effort to obtain release for dogs being held for death in municipal shelters in the US.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.