My two dogs are driving me crazy. One is a golden retriever mix (male) and the other is a basset hound (female). They get along for the most part, but they are always wrestling. It's like they are trying to pin each other down to establish which one is dominant and which one isn't. I really am not sure if that is the case or if they are just playing. It drives me crazy because they do this ALL the time. Occasionally one of them will hump the other, sometimes the male (fixed) and sometimes the female (not in heat). The basset hound was definitely the dominant dog when we first got the male dog, and now it's like he's trying to run the show. She's been real whinny lately too. They chase each other and one will bite the other on the neck (gently, as in playing) and hold it down. They have never hurt each other, just frustrate each other. Do you think they are just playing or is there more to it?
2007-02-11 06:59:59 · 3 answers · asked by ஐ♥Gin♥ஐ 3 in Pets ➔ Dogs
They are testing each other and as long as it is not a real fight they will work it out. Yo must be the pack leader and control the fight and when you say enough that should be the end of it. If they do not listen to you then they do not see you as the pack leader. Take them to obedience classes this is the best way to establish you as the leader
2007-02-11 07:24:48 · answer #1 · answered by aussie 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
My guess is that they are playing but I can't be sure since I haven't seen them wrestle. Look at their body language to get a better idea. Is one of them doing the play stance when they wrestle (head lower than the bum like they are bowing)? I have two dogs and they wrestle all the time. My one dog will pin the other dog down while they are playing and they bite each other's neck as well. In the beginning they would hump one another but my larger female dog has proven she is the more dominant one and they no longer do this. My guess is that if neither one yelps or seriously runs away they are just playing. Nothing you can really do to stop them and they are kind of fun to watch (better than t.v. in my opinion). Just be glad they get along and enjoy each other's company!
2007-02-11 08:21:04 · answer #2 · answered by bug_eyed_bug 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
humping is a "normal" dominance thing and if there is no fighting involved it is just normal dog play. nothing to worry about.
any dogs together (and you) are just working on their pack structure. The female is usually the alpha in any pack and the neck biting is quite normal behavior as is the wrestling. sounds like you have a happy pack. also, the female just might be getting tired of the newer males desire to play more than she wants to.
2007-02-11 07:27:06 · answer #3 · answered by mom tree 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋