Advice needed.....

me2015 · 02-04-2009, 09:20 AM

Hi All,

Just wanted a bit of advice really.......

We currently have a 2 year old Collie cross and have had her for over a year now. We have just got a boxer who is 7 weeks old for company for her.

I am a bit worried about him and her, as she is "top Dog" in the house at the minute and she is putting him in his place (growling when touching her toys, going near food or trying to get on the sofa), he was fine to begin with but is now starting to fight back, he is tiny so am more worried about him at the minute in case he gets hurt. BUT I know that Holly would never hurt anyone she is a softy!

I am wondering if you think that he will be ok with the fact that she will be top, or do you think that he will try to become it?
I watch them all the time, they follow each other round and play a lot, although he has started biting her legs and tail which I tell him off for.

I'm just looking for some advice to see what you all think? Will they be ok? Do i need to do anything to make sure of it?

Also, she sleeps on the sofa and on our bed, where as he sleeps in a crate in the kitchen at night, and howls all night (we have only had him for 4 days!) so I dont want him to start resenting her.

Hope this all makes sense. Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks x

KeeperBoy · 02-04-2009, 09:25 AM

It's really hard to say. A dog taken from it's mother before 10 weeks will likely encounter behavior problems with other dogs. A puppy that young should not be trying to assert himself in anyway with an older animal and the older dog is totally right to be asserting herself. If you are having problems now, I would be really worried about what will happen when the puppy reaches sexual maturity. I would contact a behaviorist to see how to possibly work with both dogs to better understand their pack order and acceptable dog behavior.

Ron · 02-04-2009, 09:42 AM

I agree, a behaviorist is your best bet. Your vet can probably recommend someone in your area. Seven weeks is pretty young to be removed from the mother. Normally pups go to their forever homes around 10 weeks.

KeeperBoy · 02-04-2009, 09:46 AM

Local SPCAs and humane societies also usually have contacts to behaviorists.

bruinsBoxers · 02-04-2009, 10:06 AM

He is way too young to be challenging her , his biting her legs and tail is just playing . If she is putting him in his place it is because he is being rude as most puppies usually will . She is letting him know what is acceptable .

But if she is growling when eating I would definately make sure to keep them seperated while being fed . And if she is guarding all of the toys then you may want to do some reading up on resource guarding .

He is just a baby and right now has no interest of being top dog . Most dogs will challenge the top dog when they are around 2 yrs old , this is when they hit maturity . This does not mean they will challenge each other , just the age that most challenges and problems will begin . And most of the problems will be with same sex pairs ( usually 2 females , then 2 males ), it is not as common as opposite sexed pairs .