Expert: Alan J Turner, SATS LL1 - 11/3/2006

Question
Hi.  We have a 9 year old shephard-hound mix (Max) that we adopted about 1 year and a half ago.  He is very sweet and according to the woman we board him always gets along with all the dogs, even pesty puppies.  His previous owners had a second dog, a border collie.

We recently (a week ago) adopted a 2 1/2 year old rottweiler-shephard mix (Griz).  He is a little larger than Max, but has taken the submissive position in the hierarchy, and never seems to challenge Max's assertions of dominance.

Max, however, at times takes to stalking Griz around the house.  Most of the time, if Griz lies down, things are OK, but sometimes Max forces him into a corner where it is difficult for him to lie down or move away.  This has no other conclusion than to escalate to a fight, which we then stop.  

Should we do something before it gets to this point?  Is there something we can do to prevent it?  We are doing it best to support Max's position in the hierarchy by giving him equal or more attention, giving him food and attention first, not interfering with the general bullying, but the cornering seems a bit unfair.

Any help is appreciated.

Answer
Dear Jill,
Thanks for the question. Are both dogs neutered or are they intact?

Since you've only had Griz for a week, it's a bit too soon to determine who will be the top dog. Dogs that have been re-homed take about 10-20 days before they adapt to their new environment and show their "true colors".

The fact that Griz is a bit larger, much younger (hence stronger?) and just now reaching social maturity are indicators that place the odds just slightly in favor of Griz ending up as the victor in a real fight over something of value.

About hierarchies in a dog group - the hierarchy is fluid and the leader changes according to the situation and the value of the resource (from the dogs' points of view). A 20 lb. terrier may successfully guard and retain his ball. The larger, 45 lb. house mate could care less about the ball so he doesn't press the issue. Some people would state that the smaller dog is the dominant dog, hence is the leader of the two.

I say, withhold all food for 4 or 5 days, throw one piece of chicken on the floor and see who ends up eating the chicken. If the resource is of equal value to both dogs, my money is always on the larger dog. My point is - it always depends on the resource and how the individual dogs view them.

That being said, Griz hasn't spent enough time with you to really bond, value and "own" some of your attention (or anything else in the house). Once he spends more time, develops a relationship with you (and the other stuff of value), he might be less likely to submit to Max.

Interfering with the relationship can cause problems. We inadvertently raise the lower dog's status and lower the higher dog's status - oops. If the dogs feel their status is equal, then trouble follows. We should allow the top dog to control most of the top stuff. That's how it works best. If one dog chooses and succeeds in hoarding all the toys, fine - so be it.

If one dog chooses to continue to bully when there are no resources involved (other than just existing or living in the same house)and is attempting to drive the other dog away, not fine. For instance, if Max walks over, takes the bone from Griz, fine - so be it. If Max blocks Griz's access to the couch, fine.. so be it. If Max tries to chase Griz away , not fine. I would intervene in any spats in which you cannot define a tangible resource.

Perhaps Max, who normally gets along with all dogs, feels threatened by the arrival of the younger, larger, Griz and is trying to drive him away?!?

We should be able to give our attention or our food or our touch to whichever dog we please while the other dog waits patiently for his or her turn. After all, we are the boss because we control all the good stuff!

Buy the book, Feeling Outnumbered? How to Manage and Enjoy Your Multi-Dog Household. (Paperback)
by Karen B. London, Patricia B. McConnell

Buy it, read it, start the exercises now. Sorry but my intuition is that the situation will soon change and you'll need a plan of action in order to have peace in your house.

Happy Training!
AT