Selfish or bully??

[Jill Ramsey]

Ok, Fischer is now 6 months old. He's over the little puppy stage, so we need to address a couple of issues. All in all, he and Finnegan-22 months- get along great, except for 3 things.

1. Fischer always wants what Finn has. It doesn't make any difference what it is: nylabone, stuffed toy, stick, anything. He will just take it away from Finnegan. Finn, being the sweetie that he is, lets Fischer take it. I take the whatever away from Fischer and give it back to Finn, but I'm not always right there to do that. If I give Finn something else, Fischer wants that, too.
I make sure that they are separated when eating, but occasionally Fischer goes over by Finn. Nothing happens, but I try to keep Fischer away, and make him go to his "spot" on the rug and wait until Finn's done.

2. Fischer is constantly nipping Finnegan's lower legs to get him to chase him or play. Finn growls at Fischer, but he just keeps doing it. It's not a really mean growl, more of a warning type. I have just left them alone to see what happens, and eventually Finn will pin Fischer to the ground, not hurting him, but just holding him there. After he lets Fischer up, he starts nipping at his legs again. I could understand more if he was a herding type dog, but he's a lab.

3. When Finn is laying down, Fischer will sit on him! On his head, back, legs, whatever. Then he just sits there. Finnegan lets him do that most of the time, too.

Fischer is constantly on the move. He's very independent, and has no fear. Whereas Finn, is more laid back, and is more fearful of certain things.

Fischer is in obedience, and does great in it. He learns very quickly, and remembers what he has learned.

Any suggestions or ideas would be appreciated.

[Beth Pladson]

ohmigosh, Jill... sounds JUST like our two kids. Even down to the "laidback and more fearful" of things part of the older of the two labs. El is definitely more laid back and scared of more things than Roddy. We've got the same problem with Roddy taking stuff of El's... of course, she reciprocates sometimes as well and takes whatever he's got. Too bad we don't live nearby... I'd love to see the four of them together!

[heathea]

Jill, in my humble opinion your two boys are just going to have to work it out...Teak and Life do that, Life wants whatever Teak has, we just call whatever it is the bone of contention...for that is what it is. I let Teak growl his little heart out at Life to defend his spot on the bed, his bone, or whatever precious piece of whatever his is defending...however, if Life starts barking to try to get the bone away I will either (depending on my laziness) a. take everything away or b. call Teak up to be in the prized spot next to me on the couch and Life can have the whatever (this allows me not to move...:) ).
It sounds like Fischer is going to be the alpha pup once he grows up, that is what Life did, she was determined to be in charge from the beginning. I don't know if what I did was right, but basically I focused her on training with me and ignored the situation with Teak. They are very happy together, but still argue over the good stuff. :)
-Let me know what happens!
-Heather

[Jill Ramsey]

thanks for the input everyone. I'm happy to hear that this is pretty normal. We have been letting them work it out, most of the time, especially now that Fischer is getting bigger/older.
It's really fun to see the difference in the two. Fischer is a happy-go-lucky little guy that isn't afraid to try anything. Whereas Finnegan, is quiet, easy-going, and tolerant.
Fischer will bark if he doesn't get his way. Finn will just give that stare~~willing the object or whatever to come to him.
Fischer will go, go, go until he drops. Finn does that only if he's fetching something.
Fischer carries things around in his mouth all the time(hubby used to give Fischer a nylabone to carry on their walk so he wouldn't bother Finn) We're having a little trouble teaching Finn to "hold it" in his pre-open class.
Most of the time, it's a blast with two of them. I'll really find out for the next 12 days, as hubby is off on his yearly Canada fishing trip. Leaving me and the "boyz" by ourselves. Yeah!!! No cooking, no nothing ,unless I want to.

[Beth Pladson]

I was talking to a friend of mine who has two boy chis and she has the same kind of story to report, including the behavior of the older and younger dogs. I think it might be a "birth order" type thing sometimes also. But like you, we're waiting to see how everything pans out when Roddy is as big as El!

[Lesly Stevens]

This sounds pretty normal to me, and it's not about who is the more alpha of the two. Fischer is a puppy and doing what puppies do. You, as the person in control, can give Finn a break from Fischer by establishing some structure in their day wherein there is a time to play, a time to nap, a time to eat, and so on. My two are 4 yr. old adults who love each other, but there are times when I separate them for one-on-one time with me, training sessions, send them to their mats for quiet time, to their crates for naps, and send one out at a time for potty breaks.

Since Fischer wants whatever is Finn's, then simply put him in his crate with his chew toy and/or meals so he doesn't bug Finn. Finn should have time where he has peace - and does not have to put up with the antics of Fischer! Each dog needs one-on-one time with you, to keep the bond with you stronger than with the other dog, and to help establish your leadership. I would also put both on NILIF.

With two or more dogs, some structure and a routine will provide you with peace of mind, and the dogs will thrive on it. Good luck!

Lesly, Maddy, & Bo



Ok, Fischer is now 6 months old. He's over the little puppy stage, so we need to address a couple of issues. All in all, he and Finnegan-22 months- get along great, except for 3 things.

1. Fischer always wants what Finn has. It doesn't make any difference what it is: nylabone, stuffed toy, stick, anything. He will just take it away from Finnegan. Finn, being the sweetie that he is, lets Fischer take it. I take the whatever away from Fischer and give it back to Finn, but I'm not always right there to do that. If I give Finn something else, Fischer wants that, too.
I make sure that they are separated when eating, but occasionally Fischer goes over by Finn. Nothing happens, but I try to keep Fischer away, and make him go to his "spot" on the rug and wait until Finn's done.

2. Fischer is constantly nipping Finnegan's lower legs to get him to chase him or play. Finn growls at Fischer, but he just keeps doing it. It's not a really mean growl, more of a warning type. I have just left them alone to see what happens, and eventually Finn will pin Fischer to the ground, not hurting him, but just holding him there. After he lets Fischer up, he starts nipping at his legs again. I could understand more if he was a herding type dog, but he's a lab.

3. When Finn is laying down, Fischer will sit on him! On his head, back, legs, whatever. Then he just sits there. Finnegan lets him do that most of the time, too.

Fischer is constantly on the move. He's very independent, and has no fear. Whereas Finn, is more laid back, and is more fearful of certain things.

Fischer is in obedience, and does great in it. He learns very quickly, and remembers what he has learned.

Any suggestions or ideas would be appreciated.

[Jill Ramsey]

Thanks, Leslie. I pretty much do what you suggested. Finn gets his time without Fischer, and time with just me. Almost all of the time when I go pick up a pizza, or run to the store for a couple of things, Finnegan is the one who gets to go. So he gets that extra time, too. Fischer gets put in his crate for naps throughout the day. And a lot of the time, Finn will go into his crate, as he knows we don't allow Fischer in there! They eat at the same time, but across the room from each other. Fischer gets done first and knows to go to the rug about 3 feet from Finn and wait until Finn gets done eating.
thanks again for all of the input.!!