third pup

[Monika Lisak]

hello i have three dogs , my 2 older ones are 2 1/2 and 1 and 2 mths and the new one is 6mths she gets along great with both of them but my one that is 1 year and 2 mths can get a little aggressive towards the new one when she goes near her crate or a bone or treat- and sometimes she will just snap unexpectedly while playing. my one year old had always been the dominant one and this new pup has accepted that and just walks away when the other one gets mad. My question is will this behaviour ever subside? will she get used to the new pup or will there always be an ongoing battle?

any suggestions or ideas?

[Amber]

The one year old is the Alpha. To my knowledge, alpha behavior never goes away. Go to the Articles link and you should be able some articles on Resource Guarding, resources being food, bones, and toys.

Even though alpha behavior doesn't go away, there are ways to help the one year old get used to having the younger one in the house. Spend some "alone time" with each dog seperately. You also need to spend time with all the dogs together. I know when I got my second dog (the older of the two), I had to do this...matter of fact, I still do to a certain extent. Neither one of my dogs displays overly alpha-like behaviors. However, when I try to spend time with both of my dogs together, the younger tries to sit on my older dog's head! lol! Sally (the older) just looks at me like she's saying, "Mooommmm! She's doing it again!" lol

Hopefully other people will give you some advice as well. Also, you may not feel comfortable with this, but my older dog was a rescue with a lot of issues. She LOVES her crate. When I first brought her home, she didn't want my poodle in her crate, so I let her set the boundaries for my poodle. They never fought, the older one just barked and snapped at her for a while. Now, five months later, they sleep and play in each other's crates! I wouldn't suggest this if your dog's are fighting, but if not, I say let them work out some of their own boundaries.

[Melissa Brunoehler]

Hi Monika~

How long have you had the youngest one? It sounds like your middle one is being a typical female. Put your dogs on NILIF if they aren't already. Try to pay attention of what makes your pup snap so that you can avoid it in the future. If it's treats or certain toys make sure they only get them while you are supervising. If it's after 10 minutes of playing, then make them take a breather before it gets to that point. I can't tell from your post if you are overly worried or not. If you are let me know & i'll recommend something else you can do.


hello i have three dogs , my 2 older ones are 2 1/2 and 1 and 2 mths and the new one is 6mths she gets along great with both of them but my one that is 1 year and 2 mths can get a little aggressive towards the new one when she goes near her crate or a bone or treat- and sometimes she will just snap unexpectedly while playing. my one year old had always been the dominant one and this new pup has accepted that and just walks away when the other one gets mad. My question is will this behaviour ever subside? will she get used to the new pup or will there always be an ongoing battle?

any suggestions or ideas?

[Monika Lisak]

thanks for all the great advice.

I am not overly worried but i am concerned, she mainly gets mad over treats and when i am giving her attention and the new one comes along and wants attention too then the one year old gets really mad.

I am giving them each their own time with me , lots of love, hugs and kisses, i just want them to get along i know it takes time, but what is a normal expectation?

I have stopped giving them treats when they are all together because too many fights break out so now the one year old gets them in her crate, the pup gets them outdside and the oldest get's it whenever because she does not get frazzled by anything. i think the new pup has realized that my one year old is the alpha because she jsut gives her what she wants now except when the attention of others is concerned. I will check out some articles.

Also i was wondering when the one year old displays this alpha behaviour or snaps at the dogs am i supposed to get mad at her and scold her in anyway or not?

thanks again

[Melissa Brunoehler]

Hi~

I am not overly worried but i am concerned, she mainly gets mad over treats and when i am giving her attention and the new one comes along and wants attention too then the one year old gets really mad

Would it help if you asked the young one for a sit as she approaches and pet both dogs at once? If not then get up & stop petting the 1st one when you see the scond one approaching. We don't want the 1 yr old to think good things stop when the 6 mo old is around so to counter that you could do the following~

Start with your 1 yr old on leash
Sit on a couch (or wherever) while holding her leash
have someone else bring the 6 mo old in also on leash.
Start feeding your 1 old tiny pieces of really yummy treats the second the 6 mo old enters.
Feed 1 yr old treats the entire time the 6 mo old is in the room
Take out the 6 mo old & stop feeding

Practice this often, all around the house.

Although your 1 yr old's behavior is normal dog behavior it is not alpha behavior. A true alpha is confident & does not resort to petty squables.
No need to scold her when she acts this way, it will only add to the negative energy she already has. It's best just to withdraw your attention when she acts this way.


I am giving them each their own time with me , lots of love, hugs and kisses, i just want them to get along i know it takes time, but what is a normal expectation?

I have stopped giving them treats when they are all together because too many fights break out so now the one year old gets them in her crate, the pup gets them outdside and the oldest get's it whenever because she does not get frazzled by anything. i think the new pup has realized that my one year old is the alpha because she jsut gives her what she wants now except when the attention of others is concerned. I will check out some articles.

Also i was wondering when the one year old displays this alpha behaviour or snaps at the dogs am i supposed to get mad at her and scold her in anyway or not?

thanks again[/QUOTE]

[Jill Ramsey]

"I am giving them each their own time with me , lots of love, hugs and kisses, i just want them to get along i know it takes time, but what is a normal expectation?"

Monika,
Is the individual time away from the others? Just giving extra hugs and kisses may not be the individual time each one needs. They need individual walks as well as group walks. or just going along to run an errand, is great alone time for a dog. :p