Dog Community

Question about Alpha issues (aka: should I adopt?)

Posted : 4/21/2006 2:30:02 PM

It's been a while since I've been on here, but I really need some doggie advice.

I foster for a local rescue group. My latest foster, Gracie, is a black lab mix. A coworker found her in their back yard (privacy fence, locked gates, no spots where anyone dug under, so she was dropped over the 6 foot tall fence). My coworker's dog is a spaz and didn't like the puppy, so I was asked to get her into the rescue group I work with and I agreed. That was 7 weeks ago.

We've had two different adoptive homes lined up and both fell through. The first for financial reasons. With the second one, she actually got adopted and went to the new home last Saturday. Well, I got an email today from the wife saying that yesterday, when she left for work, she didn't get the crate latched right and Gracie got out and destroyed their couch cushions. The husband went off the handle and said to either return Gracie or he would "get rid of it."

With that attitude, the rescue coordinator and I decided that we don't want to take a chance on trying to talk this guy into keeping Gracie because next time, he might not give the wife a chance to return Grace to us. I'm going to be picking her back up tomorrow.

Here's the part where advice is needed...I am absolutely head over heels in love with this puppy! She is the sweetest and cutest thing ever! She and my current dog, Abby are good buddies, and Gracie is smart as a whip. I'm not concerned about her size or anything, but I am concerned about alpha issues.

Abby is very much an alpha female, but I've seen behavior out of Gracie that is typical Alpha behavior as well. I'm worried that as Gracie gets older (she's now 16 weeks) that there will be problems with Abby and Gracie getting along.

What do you guys think? Will they likely work it out? Are bids for Alpha usually long and drawn out or quick? Are they usually very physical? Has anyone else faced this (a puppy becoming Alpha or a puppy that would likely be Alpha if the other wasn't there)?

Meralee

Meralee Crowl

Posted : 4/21/2006 2:32:01 PM

Oh, you can see pictures of here here:
http://s7.photobucket.com/albums/y292/MeraleeCrowl/Foster%20Dogs/Gracie/

nigguysmom

Posted : 4/21/2006 2:50:20 PM

I wish I had some real info for you, but I don't. I know that my best friend who has Nigel's mom and sister deals with this. Sadie (mom) was alpha for many years but as she ages, Java (Nigel's sister) who has always had alpha tendencies has increasingly challenged Sadie. The last time it actually turned bloody and Sadie needed some bandaging. Hopefully this is just an isolated incident but I'd be careful. Hopefully someone with actual training and knowledge will come in and give you good info! I'll hang around because I'd like to know also.

ron2

Posted : 4/21/2006 2:53:48 PM

I hope Mic and Ann chime in on this. IMHO, the sooner she is acclimated into your family, the smaller the problems will be, especially with consistent training. A dog has to know where he/she fits in and you can help her. If nothing else, at least she is in a good place until a suitable adoptor can be found. From what I've read, most alpha struggles are posture and attitude, rarely involving a fight or a fight that results in injury.

The neighbors I have with border collies (mom and daughter) do not train their dogs. Mom is alpha and will sometimes nip the daughter. Then the human will come out and tell her to stop it. Mom is a biter. You, OTOH, wouldn't allow such a thing. How do I know that? Because you are here asking questions. At some point or another, aside from you being alpha, they should settle into a pecking order. How old is she? Younger dogs that haven't become set in their ways will adapt easier.

Meralee Crowl

Posted : 4/21/2006 3:04:21 PM

You're right, I would never allow either dog to be a biter, if for no other reason than that I have young nephews that love playing with the dogs. They are also inside dogs and people-oriented, so they are usually very close to me.

I am the Alpha in the household (Abby is a Manchester Terrier mix who is VERY heard headed, so I immediately established myself as alpha when I first got her 2 years ago).

Abby is 2 1/2 years old and Gracie is 16 weeks old.

When they play outside, Abby will let Gracie be dominate in their play wrestling, but when Gracie corres the line, Abby will bark (not growl or snap) at her a few times and pounce on Gracie then go off to a different part of the yard. It's almost like a mother with a 4 year-old asking "But why?" over and over and after the 25th time, the mom said, "That's it! Go to your room!"

Mic

Posted : 4/21/2006 4:02:42 PM

For me, this would be one of those "will cross that road when we come to it" situations. Alpha is a relative term and this puppy maybe alpha in one situation and not in the next. If your dog and this new dog get a long, and you have the time and energy for a puppy, I say go for it.

ron2

Posted : 4/21/2006 6:09:37 PM

Thanks for contributing, Mic. I'm no expert on training but I know that my dog grew up with a Jack Russel Terrier and a tomcat. He still likes cats. He still likes JRT's if they are well socialized. I know that early experiences can shape their socialization, hence leaving them with mom for the first 8 to 10 weeks and exposing them to other dogs in varying situations. The more situations they have confidence and good experience in, the better mannered dog they will be.

Julie Beveridge

Posted : 4/21/2006 6:27:17 PM

When they play outside, Abby will let Gracie be dominate in their play wrestling, but when Gracie corres the line, Abby will bark (not growl or snap) at her a few times and pounce on Gracie then go off to a different part of the yard. It's almost like a mother with a 4 year-old asking "But why?" over and over and after the 25th time, the mom said, "That's it! Go to your room!"

My two dogs do this? They are one male and one female. I thought that was how they played. Isn't that the behavior of them figuring out who is the ALPHA?

sooner

Posted : 4/21/2006 6:47:45 PM

No advice but... Hi Meralee! Good to see you! Good luck with whatever you decide.

griffinej5

Posted : 4/21/2006 7:20:47 PM

I don't really have any advice for you, except that I hope it works out. She sounds like she'd be great here, if it weren't for the fact that Millie wouldn't tolerate that one bit. My mom has a soft spot for black lab mixes. We had one before, and I can just tell she'd love another one. It also sounds like Max would love her, because he likes any dog that wants to play with him. If it weren't for Millie, i'd go tell my mom someone has a dog she'd love, and let her convince my dad she had to come here.

Meralee Crowl

Posted : 4/22/2006 10:52:49 PM

Well, Just thought I'd let you all know that after Abby's, Gracie's, and my reactions when Abby and I picked up Gracie today, I decided to go ahead with the adoption. So, I'm officially a "mommy" of two little monsters.

Julie Beveridge

Posted : 4/23/2006 3:17:07 AM

Congrats!! I am glad you decided to do this. I think it will work out fine!

Julie