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Canine Behavior/canine compatibiltiy

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Expert: Northerly - 7/19/2007


Question
I have a 3 year old female lab and a 7 year old male lab.  I introduced an adult male Chihuahua rescue dog in hopes of adopting him.  At the onset of this "home visit" my female was aggressive towards the chi - during the scuffle it was hard to tell what was happening but the chi's once separated there was no sign of physical distress on the chi.  After an hour or so into the visit it got to where the chi and the female ignored each other but the lab always had one eye on the chi.  Can these two dogs live together? amiably?

Answer
Hello and thank you for the question.  From what I can tell it seems reasonable the dogs were simply working out their pack hierarchy and this is perfectly normal.  I mostly get this by your statement about the Chi apparently accepting the situation, like they worked things out.  Sounds like the lab still has to do this, his reticence could be a result of your act of separation and he may just be honoring your wishes to be non-confrontational in the matter.  Eventually they will also work things out, but don't assume the larger dog would automatically be the dominant one, its often the other way especially with high energy breeds like the Chi.  My guess at this point would be the 3 year old is the dominant, followed by the Chi and then the 7 year old.   Its important to emotionally support the oldest dog in all this and let him know that as long as YOU are boss -- he's a valued member of the pack.

Hope this helps, please honor my efforts by leaving feedback.

Canine Behavior

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Northerly

Expertise

Alaskan Dog Mushers depend on Pack Mentality Training. We are enthusiastic adherents to this method and possibly the most experienced in applying it.

Sled Dogs perform feats of mental and social acuity that amaze even an experienced observer. My techniques were developed by training large groups of dogs to perform complex tasks while peacefully co-existing as a Team. I taught novices how to handle teams of up to sixteen animals by themselves. My various Race Official placements required I judge other dog professionals on the application of training methods.

How does this relate to you and your dog ?

I can help you speak to your dogs inner wolf and offer methods that support well-balanced lives in the human world. On certain levels all dogs think alike; my background with those close to their wild cousins provides many insights not available elsewhere.

I can help with daily routines to meet a dogs pack psychology requirements, and suggest unusual play methods to satisfy their canine cravings. I can help and advise proper ways to share kitchen foods. I can counsel regarding common stresses such as new additions, new experiences, and multiple dog households.

My advice is unusual and at times controversial. This is not a result of personal bias, but more likely due to under-reporting of our methods among the field of Dog Behaviorism. I am willing to present very advanced techniques, it is entirely up to you to decide if you are confident in using them.

While I enthusiastically believe many of you can make great strides in a forum such as this, some dogs or owners require hands-on evaluation of their situation. I advise you to seek professional and/or veterinary help if your conscience is not perfectly clear on the best way to proceed.

Experience

Experience
Iditarod Dogsled Race Judge 1992. Founder of Copper Basin 300 Dogsled Race serving as Race Marshall 90,91,92. Owner Wrangell Dogsled Tours 1983-1993. Current business: "Learn Dog Whispering" (learndogwhispering.com)

Publications
Discovery Channel segment promoting Alaska Winter Tourism, current business: LearnDogWhispering.com

Education/Credentials
Oregon State University, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Anchorage

Awards and Honors
Honored as Race Judge on Iditarod, chosen from a world pool of applicants. Offered and regretfully declined a position as Judge for the Hope Race across the Bering Strait through Siberia. Early pioneer in the Alaska Winter Tourism Industry, founded one of the world's first Adventure Dogsled Operations.

Past/Present Clients
Good friend of the late Joe Redington Sr., Father of the Iditarod. Past Professional relationships with the worlds’ greatest dog racers. Hosted comedian/pianist Victor Borge on a dogsled tour at age 83 amidst great concern for his safety !
Other international clients, many of whom barely spoke English, often complimented me as being the ‘best translator who didn’t even know the language’, a trait I attributed to my dog behavior skills.

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