Sorting out Alpha, Beta, Cheta (?), Delta...

[Dr. Deb]

Lucy (whom we've had for 3 years) and Danny (our new pup)are having some problems figuring out who's Cheta Dog and who is Delta Dog (my parter and I are definitely Alpha and Beta!). They alternate mounting each other quite happily for hours, sometimes Lucy guards her food from Danny but sometimes she just walks away and lets him have it, Danny races Lucy down the hall, and pushes her out of the way with a bum-thwack to get ahead, etc. Both of them like to select a toy and tease the other one with it before sitting down in a self-satisfied way to gloat with it.

We're trying very hard to encourage Lucy to assert her dominance as the older, female dog but she seems to lack the will. We pet her first, give her treats first, put her on the bed to sleep first, etc.

Is this a problem or should we just let them sort it out? I'm extremely sensitive to Lucy's plight, and worry since she is getting more and more submissive and looks a bit beaten down. Then again, she could just be exhausted from playing with her brother 8 hours a day!<IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm18.gif" border=0>

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[OwnedByChaucer]

I'd guess she's exhausted from playing with the new brother. When we first brought Gidget home, her first official action as a member of the household was to chomp down on Chaucer's ear....

Who gets to be "top dog" really doesn't seem to be based on age or size....but it seems that they WILL sort it out themselves.

Heh, I have a picture of Gidget "ambushing" Chaucer when she weighed about 4 pounds, and the look on his face is PRICELESS. I will try and post it sometime....

I wouldn't worry too much, unless it sounds like it's getting violent.

[pkmiddler]

Boys will be BOYS,It sounds like your girl knows the way of the WORLD.On the other hand a youngster id aloud to be a pain by older dogs, but only for so long and so much then the older one will do or say something.My group is mostly older but Guy-Guy the youngest who is now 2 has gotten away with a lot, until he had the run in with my old male who is 10 now they can no longer be out with each other.So watch and let them figure it out do give some time outs if he gets to out of hand with her.Mostly give him a little tug on his neck or push him to the floor and show him THIS is not the way we act but as he grows and Quits being a BABY BOY at about age 2(takes boys longer to get their brains)then everything should be alright.By the way sometimes a male may be smart until 10 to 16 months then their brains fall out for awhile and come out at 2,2 1/2.Tray was always smart for us we didn't get him until he was over a year and he went from kennel to house.But I tell all my male puppy buyers that males tend to do this and they call to tell I'm right so I hope this helps you.Tudox

[Mark]

Hi Dr. Deb,

Age & size really has no bearing on who the top dog is, and they must sort it out themselves.

When we only had the 2 Dachsies, it was always Duck Butter first and Masse last. We adopted Top Spin, our Catahoula, going on 2 years ago. Right from the start, as a pup, he made it clear that he was 2nd dog. Then he started challenging Duck Butter for top spot. That went on for around 10-12 months and now he is top dog, Duck Butter 2nd, and then Masse. All the while Duck Butter was top dog, though . . . she was 10 pounds to Top Spin's 75-80 pounds and he is 6 years younger.

It is important, not only to let them sort it out on their own, but to also show immediate support to the winner (not more attention, but support by giving all the "firsts"). Once everyone has established thier place in the pack AND it is reinforced by the alpha . . . everyone couldn't be happier! It's their "not knowing" that can create difficulties.

I hope this helps and let us know what happens,

Mark