I wanted to find out how other people have handled having two dogs in the house that want to be the alpha. Sgt has always been alpha, and it seems that Tiff was alpha in her old house. We are trying to keep Sgt the alpha in our house, by letting him do everything first. He is the first to go out, first on the big bed and first to get treats. Tiff does not want to back down and let Sgt run the house, and there have been a few minor episodes because of this. Do you think Tiff will back down over time or are they going to keep fighting over who is in charge?
I think the two of them will sort out the pack order on their own. It may take a few "arguments", but eventually they'll figure out the correct order. Max was the alpha in his old home, and Rudy was the "up and coming" puppy. The two of them squabbled for about six months, with blood being drawn on one or two occasions, but certainly nothing serious. Eventually Rudy proved ascendant and the pack order settled down. The only serious challenge to Rudy came when we babysat Zeke. Zeke proved to be more than a match for Rudy, even chasing him off the big bed. Rudy eventually revised his tactics and outsmarted Zeke and regained his alpha status.
I think human intervention is only necessary when one dachshie is so clearly at a disadvantage that it is dangerous. For instance, in his later years, Rudy would still get aggressive with Max, particularly over food. Max physically was no match for Rudy and could not adequately defend himself any longer. In those cases, we intervened heavily on on Max's behalf, because Max certainly was not in any position to challenge Rudy and Rudy was just being a blockhead.
Everything I have read says that we as humans cannot decide who is going to be the alpha dog in the pack. The dogs must work this out between them, and Humans should honor the decision with giving the "firsts" to whoever appears to be top dog at the time.
We don't have issues with Roscoe or Gwen challenging Rudy for top dog position, but Roscoe and Gwennie do often try to assert themselves over the other for second in command. They don't hurt eachother or anything, and the love being together, so I can let them do this without worries. Roscoe usually wins and ends up the middle of the pack order. Rudy often steps in to put Gwen back in her place at the bottom.
I know I have some good links about this at home, I'll try to find them for you tonight. In the mean time, you might want to google "dog pack order" and see what you can find on the topic.
Good luck and thanks again for taking these babies in and giving them the help they needed. You are truly wonderful people and friends to all dachshunds in need.
I have heard that one should not try to pull two fighting dogs apart; if one has a good grip on the other, the damage might be worse. I have read that you should shove them together. Frankly, this seems counter-intuitive and I have not been able to practice this, as I have been so freaked out by the event that I could not.
On the occasions when my two have squabbled, it appears that the Omega dog, Zuzu, seemed to get the upper hand and would be less likely to stop yelling and struggling when forcibly separated. I don't know if this is always the case, as I have seen Loki--clearly the Alpha--acquiesce chewies or other plentiful items. REAL BONES are another matter, and they must be seperated and one crated for them to enjoy them in piece.
As David said, they will sort this out on their own. Let them. Unless one dog seems to be bullying another relentlessly, do not interfere, and try not to punish the dogs for it. You can correct or re-direct bad behavior, but don't make a big production out of it. Remember, that if maintain your pack leader status, all others will find their niche.
I have 2 dogs and my lil girl Fa Fa is the alpha dog. She is so cruel sometimes. But Boogey who is actually older, doesn't mind it one bit. He lets her take his toys, use him as a pillow, use him as a "punching bag", let's her push him around and such. But he always lets her do whatever she feels. Sometimes when I carry her in my arms, he would follow me and beg for me to put her down. Only once in awhile will he ever growl at her a bit when he's chewing on his rawhide. But otherwise, when they wrestle, I just leave them alone. I do sometimes butt in and try to stop her from roughing him up just because he's more fragile with his injuries...Otherwise, they figure things out and Boogey always backs down. But then again, alpha dog vs alpha dog maybe a case to case issue. I think Boogey is just a whimp! :2funny: But don't anyone tell him I said that!
Cocoa has always been our Alpha dog. However; since Patches has joined us she has relinquished the position.
I don't think you can dictate which dog will end up as the pack leader. They dogs must work it out themselves. Since this is a Foster situation, I suspect it will revert once Koby & Tiff are in the forever home.
Keep in mind that the pack is typically at peace once the new pecking order has been determined and it may not be a problem if Tiff takes the lead position for awhile.
Hi Julie,
Toby has been trying to take over the Alpha position since he started to feel better. Buelah has always been the Alpha and she is not about to give that up to him or anyone! They have there spats and he does eventually back down. I think they simply have to work it out for themselves. Sgt. and Tiff will do the same I am sure! Other than that, it sounds like things are going well?
Well here Tofu is alpha. But he's a quiet laid back kind so when fosters come in I do sometimes intervine on his behalf. I usually holler when they are fighting and if they stop immediately I tell them they are good and pick up Tofu and give treats to everyone with him being first. If I have to break them up everyone gets time out. I know Tofu picks on Siggy a lot and chews on his head. I know we are going through a crucial time when Siggy could take over but thank goodness I think Siggy could careless about being top dog. He also rarely fesses up with the fosters. Only once in a while over toys. I know we have had very little trouble in the area surprisingly enough. Our biggest problem was when Peaches saw Billy as a threat and we had to put her down. But that's a whole long story. I wouldn't let Tiff bully Sgt if I was there. I think all mine learn real quick that I am the alpha. I also know when I get a strong female in Tofu lets them be boss so maybe that's why I don't have to many problems? I guess I wasn't much help. If you email me I have some articles I can send you from our DRNA members site that has living with multiples info.
Emma used to be our BIG ALPHA, no one did anything without her permission. After Angus died and Ingrid arrived and her sight started to go Oliver took over,and all was well till Ingrid died suddenly and we got Amy. The first few week were a bit argie bargie, but she got the message, there really was no contest as he out sizes and out weighs her. But we have noticed a year and a bit on that in some instances she is in charge ie birdy and guard duty, but only to the alert stage he has to be first out.
Emma we still feed first as she is slow, and to show the pair of them we are on top, and she is who we feed first, mind you Amy has tried once to help Emma with her dinner and nearly got her face taken of her by a toothless wonder. It is sometimes hard to remember what a little %^$# Emma was in her younger days when you see her now.
Roberta
Baxter is the oldest and biggest dachshunds -- and 100% the alpha. Even over the 45 pound boxer, Conrad!! Kinda funny to watch the boxer get bossed around! :chairfall: When we first got Conrad we were worried he'd try to take the alpha spot, but that hasn't been a problem. All the doxies boss him around! Maybe b/c he is so out numbered. Of course they all get into arguments sometimes, but Bax has his spot at the top!
Sue made a very good point about the "human" as the alpha! That's certainly true in our house where Ken is the pack leader. Cocoa may be the alpha dog; but, Ken is her pack leader. She will always defer to him. As a side note...I don't rate. I'm somewhere around servant as in "fetch my water". :wink:
I have the 4 dogs, and Grace is the alpha. Meeko is my now 11 year old sheperd and she has some alpha traits but has mellowed with age. Nino, is my son's very large moose dog who is laid back and "useless", he looks scary but is a baby at heart. George my long hair male dachshund is very cat like, he does exactly as he pleases, when he pleases, but is not bossy. Grace, my long hair female dachshund, who is only 9 months old, came into the house @ 4 months old and right away started bossing. If she wants what they have she'll bark at them until they give it up. She'll hog the water and make them wait until she is finished. The big dogs will back up when she growls! LOL The cat can only lay where she wants him too! Of course the human always needs to be the alpha to maintain control, but the dogs usually establish a pecking order among themselves. I haven't had any serious fights break out, thank God! Because I have a mix of large and small dogs aroung here, I do keep a close watch, as Grace doesn't have the sense God gave her to be afraid of a 85 pound moose dog! LOL
That's a great point about being alpha human. We were at our son's house this summer, and he has horse disguised as a 100 lb golden retriever,....and Max is not obedience trained. Guess who suggested that might be helpful? :scratch:
We were in the kitchen when they turned Max loose, and I took one look at this fury of fur making a beeline straight for me, actually said ALPHA DOG!!, and laid my hand on his charging head. The next thing they knew, he was on the ground in a submissive position. They were all in shock, lol. I raised the world's most stubborn (loyal, smartest, best, ...you get the idea) German Shepard....and she taught me the importance of being the pack leader.
They tell me Max is not full grown yet. Heaven help us. He still has about 4 inches of loose skin to grow into....I think his parents must have been alien pups. He's beautiful, and I hope when we go back...trained.