Dog Community

Sibling Rivalry

Posted : 1/23/2007 2:53:24 PM

I'm new to the board and I've been reading all I can about sibling canine rivalry.

We have a four year old Westie (Hannah). She's pretty obedient and recognizes my husband as the alpha dog. We got an 8 week old lab mix (Harry) from the animal shelter this weekend and, as a result, have totally upset the balance of power at our house.

Hannah, the Westie, is a very friendly and outgoing dog. She likes meeting other dogs in neutral territory (like at the pet store or on walks). She really likes playing with Harry outside in the yard. There is lots of playful pouncing, chasing, and tail-wagging, but inside is a different story.

For example, Harry wanted to come upstairs and when he got to the top stair, Hannah growled at him. He went up anyway and Hannah pounced on him, snarling and barking. We broke up the fight because we were concerned with Harry's safety. Hannah didn't bite him, but she scared Harry as he went flying down the stairs, howling. We make sure to feed Hannah first, and she lets him know when he isn't welcome.

I have a few questions. Everything I'm reading tells me to support the dominant dog's position. Do you think this is going to get easier with time? Will they eventually get along? Are we supposed to encourage Hannah's dominance by petting her first, letting her take away toys from him, etc?

I want to make this transition easy on both dogs, so any tips and/or advice is very welcome!

espencer

Posted : 1/23/2007 3:52:43 PM

ORIGINAL: heartoflife

I'm new to the board and I've been reading all I can about sibling canine rivalry.

We have a four year old Westie (Hannah). She's pretty obedient and recognizes my husband as the alpha dog. We got an 8 week old lab mix (Harry) from the animal shelter this weekend and, as a result, have totally upset the balance of power at our house.

Hannah, the Westie, is a very friendly and outgoing dog. She likes meeting other dogs in neutral territory (like at the pet store or on walks). She really likes playing with Harry outside in the yard. There is lots of playful pouncing, chasing, and tail-wagging, but inside is a different story.

For example, Harry wanted to come upstairs and when he got to the top stair, Hannah growled at him. He went up anyway and Hannah pounced on him, snarling and barking. We broke up the fight because we were concerned with Harry's safety. Hannah didn't bite him, but she scared Harry as he went flying down the stairs, howling. We make sure to feed Hannah first, and she lets him know when he isn't welcome.

I have a few questions. Everything I'm reading tells me to support the dominant dog's position. Do you think this is going to get easier with time? Will they eventually get along? Are we supposed to encourage Hannah's dominance by petting her first, letting her take away toys from him, etc?

I want to make this transition easy on both dogs, so any tips and/or advice is very welcome!

There is some techniques where you dont have to support the position of one of them

I would say is as simple as letting the dogs know that they do things you dont like, you said Hanna recognizes your husband as alpha dog, but what about you? you should be alpha also, if not then she will feel entitled of "correcting" you too

You have to set the rules, boundries and limitations, they have to respect eachother, they cant take the toys away from the other and you have to be there to let them know, since you are in a higher level they will respect your rules, dont set rules while being nervous when you do it because they wont take you seriously, neither if you do in an aggressive way, just do calm but assertive (and all the members of this forum love when i say that [

])

NILIF (google) can help you to make Hanna seeing you as alpha too

Chuffy

Posted : 1/24/2007 2:49:02 PM

There's another thread open called "how do you know the pack order" and I think there is a lot there that is helpful to your situation.

Make sure the humans in the household are undisputed "leaders" by using non-confrontational means. Use NILIF if you don't already.

Let the older dog put the youngster in his place within reason. Sometimes it looks to us like there's murder going on when in truth it is merely noise and histrionics while a point is being made. The important thing is that you (the humans) remain calm and aloof from that, (even when you occasionally have to step in) as befits a true leader.

As to supporting one dog over the other..... don't. You don't need to, they will decide for themselves and if you try to define or enforce the order you are likely to confuse the issue and cause more problems than you prevent. Just make sure your status is sorted out, that's the most important thing. And do so using kind, non confrontational means - I can't emphasise that enough.

spiritdogs

Posted : 1/24/2007 5:28:37 PM

Do support your older resident dog, Hannah. As the adult, she will do a lot to insure that your pup grows up to respect adult dogs. But, get him in to puppy class quickly, too, so that he will become well socialized to dogs of each gender, and all ages, outside his pack. I'm a trainer, and I still take my pups to classes and play groups until they are well into adulthood. As a consequence, my pups aren't mouthy, and I seldom have any aggression problems.

Lindsay Vanzandt

Posted : 1/31/2007 10:27:20 AM

Harry starts puppy kindergarten next Sunday!

I'm happy to report that things are going much better between Hannah and Harry. We're still having some minor issues with resource guarding, especially when it comes to toys and food, but we have noticed a HUGE change since buckling down and practicing NILIF. They play together outside AND inside! We're cautiously optimistic... I'm hoping one day they will be good buddies.