two big girls, one baby boy

[Jen Greaves]

Well, I may be crazy I suppose. Maybe someone remembers Echo and Jessie. I've accepted that Jessie can't come home (she's getting spoiled rotten at "grandma's" and probably wouldn't want to come home now!). Echo is now the 'alpha' or dominant dog (no Jessie). Not having three dogs just seemed so strange so yep, I got a puppy. Two adult females, one baby boy. My first boy, ever. I'm hoping that my line of thinking here was at least close and that possibly Echo won't repeat herself. So here's what I was thinking: Echo (f/huskyX) is dominant over Zia (f/shep-submissive), in a pack there is the alpha male and beta female, isn't there? The puppy, Eclipse (m/siberianX) is 8wks. If he does want to become the alpha male (he is the only male) would Echo accept this since she would still be the alpha female? Or maybe since she is raising Eclipse will she be more accepting of him when he's older? Echo definitely wants to 'be boss' but I'm hoping that since he's so young now that they'll be more companions than competitors, any feedback??

[Luciann]

Jen i cannot really offer an opinion other than good luck.

I have to say i had two grown females, one australian shepherd mix and a black lab mix and i brought home a young male hound mix and he backed them both down the first day. he and grimlen, the australian shepherd mix, took turns being the alpha so it worked out for us so good luck

[Renee]

Hi Jen-


Please check out this link for more information on social status and dominance...

http://www.doggiebagonline. com/forum/showthread.php?t=102 4&page=1

[Melissa Brunoehler]

Hi Jen~ We humans often misinterpret our dogs’ behaviors. Please read this article, http://www.clickersolutions .com/articles/2001/dominance.htm
I think it will give you a better idea of dog pack hierarchy. Rather than worrying which dog is “the boss”, focus on being your dogs’ benevolent leader. You can accomplish this by not playing “favorites” between your dogs & putting your dogs on NILIF. If you haven’t already, please read the article on NILIF, located in the article section.

Let us know if you need anything else.



Well, I may be crazy I suppose. Maybe someone remembers Echo and Jessie. I've accepted that Jessie can't come home (she's getting spoiled rotten at "grandma's" and probably wouldn't want to come home now!). Echo is now the 'alpha' or dominant dog (no Jessie). Not having three dogs just seemed so strange so yep, I got a puppy. Two adult females, one baby boy. My first boy, ever. I'm hoping that my line of thinking here was at least close and that possibly Echo won't repeat herself. So here's what I was thinking: Echo (f/huskyX) is dominant over Zia (f/shep-submissive), in a pack there is the alpha male and beta female, isn't there? The puppy, Eclipse (m/siberianX) is 8wks. If he does want to become the alpha male (he is the only male) would Echo accept this since she would still be the alpha female? Or maybe since she is raising Eclipse will she be more accepting of him when he's older? Echo definitely wants to 'be boss' but I'm hoping that since he's so young now that they'll be more companions than competitors, any feedback??

[Jen Greaves]

Thanks for answering!! I have read that article Melissa. When Jessie was still here Echo would circle her with her fur up, she attacked her twice and the second time was to kill. This all of a sudden after two years. A local trainer said that once a female has it in for another they always will and that Jessie can't come home. Echo and Zia are on NILIF and when Eclipse is ready he will be too. I am the alpha, but Echo wants the top spot or 2nd in command I guess. I know there's fights for the top spot/middle positions but with Echo those fights are to the death. Echo even gives the others heck if they do something they're not allowed to do. We've been working on 'release' when they're playing (Echo and Zia). I clap and say release and they stop and come to me and sit and then I say OK and they can play again. I'm hoping that will be of some use in a fight. I'm hoping that because Eclipse is growing up with her that he'll know she's higher than him, although full grown he'll probably have a good 40lbs on her. I guess what I'm really looking for is a way to avoid another fight with Echo, maybe there's something particular I could be doing with Echo and Eclipse together?

[Amber]

Echo may take on the "mother" role to Eclipse and everything may be okay. My guess is that it depends on Eclipse's personality. I'm not an expert, but it's just my opinion.

[Melissa Brunoehler]

Hi Jen~

If Echo came close to killing another dog I highly recommend you work with a behaviorist in your home.

Here are some links to help you find a behaviorist~

www.IAABC.org. This is the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants.

The ACABN is a list of totally postive trainers and behaviorists. http://www.acabn.com/

For Veterinary Behaviorists http://www.veterinarybehavi orists.org

Animal Behaviorists http://www.animalbehavior.o rg



Thanks for answering!! I have read that article Melissa. When Jessie was still here Echo would circle her with her fur up, she attacked her twice and the second time was to kill. This all of a sudden after two years. A local trainer said that once a female has it in for another they always will and that Jessie can't come home. Echo and Zia are on NILIF and when Eclipse is ready he will be too. I am the alpha, but Echo wants the top spot or 2nd in command I guess. I know there's fights for the top spot/middle positions but with Echo those fights are to the death. Echo even gives the others heck if they do something they're not allowed to do. We've been working on 'release' when they're playing (Echo and Zia). I clap and say release and they stop and come to me and sit and then I say OK and they can play again. I'm hoping that will be of some use in a fight. I'm hoping that because Eclipse is growing up with her that he'll know she's higher than him, although full grown he'll probably have a good 40lbs on her. I guess what I'm really looking for is a way to avoid another fight with Echo, maybe there's something particular I could be doing with Echo and Eclipse together?

[Jen Greaves]

I have tried to find a behaviour therapist in my area but there are none. I've talked to trainers here about enrolling Echo in classes to help socialize her but they said that she's 'not a candidate' for their classes. I'll try out these sites though THANKS!!!!!