my younger dog is challenging my first dog's position has top dog , what should i do? please help!!!?

Question

i have a 3 y/o terrier i got a 8 month terrier to keep her company while i'm at work. it's been 3 months now, most part they get along younger one allways follows other like a little shadow, younger one was submissve to older dog , when it came to treats, toys , food...etc. but i have noticed that she is challenging now growling back and scaring my older dog then taking said item away from her. i don't want this to happen , i want to reassure my older dog, and put my younger one in her place. but how? i've done all the reading .... pay attention to older one first, fed the older one first...let older one thru the door before younger one. my older dog has never been submissive before...except to me. not like her at all. i know she's unhappy and i can't give up the younger one.these dogs are my life, even if i could give up younger one , she couldn't adapt i'm her second family ( she was given up to me by a lady in texas i live in ca. so she was airshipped very traumatic ordeal for dog

Answer 1

You're on the right track. If necessary, take it up a notch . . . leave the little one outside while bringing the older one in for some 1 on 1 attention. Do not allow the little one to aggress. If she does, tell her no very firmly and put her out. Her learning curve may be a little steeper than most dogs and it may take awhile for her to get the message. Also, she is a baby, and like most babies, as she grows she is wanting to assert herself more and more. It is a normal stage, as with most animal development. Some breeds, though may never get it and you may have to resign yourself to that, but keep on trying. Dogs are pack animals and having a companion is important to their emotional health. Good luck to you and your pooches.

Answer 2

This is always a tough situation, but what I recommend is to treat your younger dog like you would a kid picking on another kid. If she growls at your older dog and takes the toy. Take the toy away from her and put it on a shelf until she has behaved. Then give it back as a reward. Your older dog may be scared and uncomfortable, but make sure you take time out of your day to spend with the dogs individually. You may have gotten the younger dog to keep the older one company, but remember, these dogs are your life...and YOU are THEIRS. If you're feeding them together, get them seperate bowls. You may even have two water bowls in the house. Have one where you originally put it and place the other near an exit, like a back door. This isn't done to seperate the dogs, but to allow them to claim their territories in the house while respecting eachother's space. Good luck!

Answer 3

You should do nothing...dogs are pack animals, whether domesticated or not, and they must define their social environment within a heirarchy. If you interfere with the newer dog's challenge of the older dog, you could create animosity between the two dogs, which could last for the duration of their lives; or worse, between you and one or both of them.

Leave them be, but understand the difference between social positioning or challenging and an all out fight.

You would do well to read some books on the psychology of dogs.

Answer 4

Your younger dog is coming into her own and she is an alpha dog. Start feeding your younger dog first, giving her attention first, etc. etc. You can still give your older dog *more* attention, reassurance, etc. but respect that the pack order has changed in your house. If you acknowledge the younger dog as alpha it will actually make your dog more comfortable because she will know her place in the pack and will make the transition into her new role easier.

Answer 5

I went thru the same thing. Still am. It's between my 2 females. One is 1 1/2 yr.old, and the other newer one is 2. They are constantly trying to get the position of top dog. It's hard. If I ever find the answer, I'll let you know!! Sometimes they are best bud's, next minute mortal enemies. I don't get it.

Answer 6

Work, work, work with the newer dog. She needs to NOT be allowed to be aggressive EVER. If she takes the other dog's treat, tell her to DROP IT and follow through. Be sure she's spayed too ASAP. Terriers are sorta fiesty....they need to constantly allow play around their treats, allow you to handle it and tease with it, play take-away, etc. There should always be two bowls, two toys, two treats, etc. Work work...that's all that will solve the problem. Working on the same thing here! Good luck...lol.

Answer 7

I had the same problem when I resuced a 2 year old to go with my 10 year old. Patient and steadfastness paid off...it could take months, but continue to reprimand the younger and praise her/him when he/she does not bother the older one. The younger one should eventually realiuze that you are the Alpha nd stop the domination...Best Luck.

Answer 8

apparently,the older dog is not showing apha dog status.There is always one alpha dog in the group.Of course you cant have an aggresive dog so,what the younger one to make sure she doesnt go after the older one.Sounds like your younger one is showing the alpha dog status.
I agree with the person that says leave them be.In the wild they have to fend for themselves-thats just the way it is.Just make sure that you watch that your older one doesnt get hurt if they happen to fight.
It sounds like you are favoring the older one-as far as feeding him first,letting him out first etc...continue to do that if it makes you feel better-but,like I said-that younger one will continue to fight for the top dog position,and the way it sounds-it will get it-as your older one is submissive.
Good luck...I have an apha dog and I have to watch him like a hawk because he tends to be aggressive towards my other 3.

Answer 9

PLEASE go to YAHOO Groups, find the peacablepaws yahoo group... join and ask this question there!

Answer 10

let them fight it will be cool