Gilbert's Back - New Problems - Advice?

[MandiesMom]

Many of you know that my niece, Jada, has a chi puppy that I keep for her when she goes in the hospital. (she goes in the hospital around every 2 weeks FOR 2 weeks).

The first time I kept Gilbert for her, it was no problem. It took Mandie a while to start playing with him but by the end of two weeks, all 3 were playing and getting along well. Fast forward 2 more weeks to now...I'm dealing with something and I am not sure what the root cause is (I think I know but not sure) and I really am not sure how to handle it...

This time around, Gilbert and Mandie started rough house playing right away. Many times, I will see Gil on the floor on his back and Mandie over him. Other times, he will be grabbing onto her beard or mustache. They did this before..the new twist is that NOW Gilbert (even though still a puppy with no testicles dropped yet) will get up on her back and hump on her. I stop him when I see it and I know (well, I think I know) that it's a way of him trying to express dominance. Right? I think this is what is leading to the behavior problems/changes I'm seeing in Mandie AND Shelby and I need advice please.

Mandie is doing things very out of character...the most noticable is where she is sleeping. She always sleeps up under my husband. The first night that Gil was there, she slept up under me. I didn't think much of it, because Gil was crying from being put to bed and she could see where he was by laying with me. But last night, I couldn't find her! I went looking and looking and found her asleep on the floor by hubby's bedside table and laying on a pair of his pants. I picked her up, loved on her, and layed her down in her "usual spot" on the bed. I went to do something and came back and she was back down on the floor..so I let her be.

I can attribute this to change..ok fine. What concerns me is Shelby's behavior. And, I know it is SOMETHING that Gil has brought out...not sure if he senses Gil trying to express dominance on Mandie or if he senses Mandie acting different (scared/unsure) but Shelby did 2 things last night that SCARE me if left unchecked. After I put Gil to bed, Shelby had Mandie cornered and on her back. He has NEVER done this! I made him let her go. Then, Mandie went to her food bowl to eat and Shelby walked up behind her WHILE she was eating (he never messes with her in the slightest while she eats) and I watched him put his front paw down on her back!! I jumped up and pushed him back and sat down on the floor with him. Then I cried because I knew whatever this new dynamic is..I brought it in so I need to fix it. Left unchecked, Shelby acting like that to Mandie scares me and could be dangerous.

Ideas, advice, tips, help?????

[MandiesMom]

Great..and now I get an update from my sister that we lost another CFer (Cystic Fibrosis) this morning. This girl had been battling on life support for almost 2 weeks...God finally decided enough and He ended her suffering.

Ugh, I was already in the "blahs" today and this sucks. CF sucks! I keep watching these kids die and cherish every second Jada is with us..

There is NO WAY that I won't make it work with her baby, Gilbert. I just have to figure it out

[LoALAnna]

I don't have any advice to give, but just want to say that I'm praying for and wishing the best for Jada! I wish CF was something that was eradicated YESTERDAY!

[MandiesMom]

Thank you so much!

Aparently, nobody has an answer for me (based on the views) lol

[GeorgiesMomma]

Terri I have read it and I know it's such a difficult situation for you. I admit I am the worst when it comes to training. I will keep bumping this because I know someone will see it and be able to help Sending positive thoughts your way

[MandiesMom]

Thanks so much, Morgan! I know Jeanie will have a good suggestion..hoping she'll see it

[GeorgiesMomma]

Originally Posted by MandiesMom

Thanks so much, Morgan! I know Jeanie will have a good suggestion..hoping she'll see it

She is the first person that came to mind. I know she can help Oh Jeanie where are you? He he

I will say that I know it can be resolved

[gracielove]

You are going through a very trying time. It's too bad you also have to deal with the dogs acting up. I had to deal with a couple of dogs that had a bad interaction and it was very frustrating.

The only thing I can suggest for you right now is to buy one of those gates for pets that you can open and walk through. Keeping the dogs separated for periods of time when you can't be playing referee may help you have some down time and give the dogs a break, too. You could take turns putting one in the room that you choose at a time. That way you may also be able to appraise who is actually instigating issues and how. Just deal with on problem at a time. Chi's have different personalities than Yorkies and can be very domineering. Hopefully, since he is young you can nip it in the bud. Once he is neutered things may get a bit easier to deal with.

I hope things get better for you and the whole household.

[dawn27]

It sounds to me like you have a fight for dominance on your hands, and my guess is that you are right that it probably starting with Gilbert entering your home. There had already been a dominant role in place but now thats being challenged. So , now the fight for control begins. Been there with two of my girls, its no fun believe me and as you are finding out. Normally I would stop it before things got to far out of hand but than a few times they were not letting up. So, the battle began. Ruby came out on top than Branid another time and than Ruby again. Its no fun seeing your babies fight but sometimes nature just has to take its course.

I was told recently that since Ruby has been breed and has pups that she has become the dominant female by default. Brandi didn't like that one bit and tried to mount her a few day after her whelping/birth. Ruby did not engage the fight and I broke them up and sent Brandi off on a time out in the cage. She did it a couple other times and Ruby (thank goodness) did not go after her. Thats all I need is a wounded nursing mother. Since than Ruby has allowed gone on her back a few time to allow everyone to sniff her. I guess its her way of saying that she is not a threat.

I may be wrong but from what I've learned from my own issue of dominance in our home. That if you are going to have him in hour home the dominate role will continue to be challenged until they settle it among themselves.

Ruby is the only one that is not spayed. Regardless of that, I alway take my role as the pack leader in our home. They know that I mean business and that what I say goes.

Are your girls spayed?

This may help you understand better:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog_behavior

http://www.lhasahappyhomes.org/Domin...ression_21.htm

[MandiesMom]

Thanks for the tips and reading material, both of you!!

I do have a gate that I gate Gilbert off by himself while I'm gone to work and while we sleep. I let him out for an hour before I go to work and for a few hours after I come home so he can play and run. Other than that area, Mandie and Shelby have run of the house at all times.

Dawn, Shelby is named after my Daddy (I know it is usually a girls' name lol). He is neutered. Mandie is spayed. Gilbert (who is right at 13 to 14 weeks old now..?pretty sure) is not. He doesn't even have his "gear" yet lol (sorry..it's a southern thang). Buttt, I will say that I noticed he is aware of his penis because he kept licking it last night and the turtle would pop out of the shell from time to time LOL (sorry..I really am stressed and haven't had much sleep so I'm being silly).

[dawn27]

Originally Posted by MandiesMom

Thanks for the tips and reading material, both of you!!

I do have a gate that I gate Gilbert off by himself while I'm gone to work and while we sleep. I let him out for an hour before I go to work and for a few hours after I come home so he can play and run. Other than that area, Mandie and Shelby have run of the house at all times.

Dawn, Shelby is named after my Daddy (I know it is usually a girls' name lol). He is neutered. Mandie is spayed. Gilbert (who is right at 13 to 14 weeks old now..?pretty sure) is not. He doesn't even have his "gear" yet lol (sorry..it's a southern thang). Buttt, I will say that I noticed he is aware of his penis because he kept licking it last night and the turtle would pop out of the shell from time to time LOL (sorry..I really am stressed and haven't had much sleep so I'm being silly).

Oh so he has discovered his "torpedo" and is trying it out ! Its something that a lot of pups go through, even mine.

Maybe its not a dominant thing...

The behavior change my just be a reaction the new pup that is invading their home. Im sure its stressful for them. Each time we brought home a new addition to the family you can alway tell changes are taking place in the way day to day things went. They got this fuzzy lil' pain in the butt nipping at your heals, eating their food, drinking their water and humping ther legs. That has got to be pretty stressful !

[MandiesMom]

Originally Posted by dawn27

Oh so he has discovered his "torpedo" and is trying it out ! Its something that a lot of pups go through, even mine.

Maybe its not a dominant thing...

The behavior change my just be a reaction the new pup that is invading their home. Im sure its stressful for them. Each time we brought home a new addition to the family you can alway tell changes are taking place in the way day to day things went. They got this fuzzy lil' pain in the butt nipping at your heals, eating their food, drinking their water and humping ther legs. That has got to be pretty stressful !

I really hope you are right and it's just the changes. I just really got concerned when my 70 lb dog (who has never tried to dominate Mandie or use anything but gentleness) put his paw on her back while she was eating. Scared me.

[Teresa Ford]

Hi Terri, I am so very sorry for the loss of a child to CF. It is a horrible disease. And I know that doggy problems can make us feel so helpless and worried. I think Dawn gave you some good insight to what may be going on.
My suggestion is to be the PLP (Parent/ Provider, Leader, and Protector). Let you girls and Gilbert know that you won't put up with this. A firm NO, Attttattt sound or other cue word you have chosen should be used every time they get out of line. You can use time outs, a quick spray of water, hand clap etc.. What ever feels natural to you. Be consistent. The idea is NOT to punish, but to correct, redirect and train.
You may want to change the way you feed them. I feed my five in their crate. Free feeding is not a good idea with more than two dogs. The food bowl is often a place bossiness can escalate into real fights. (Remember if you do have a fight, grab back legs do not put your hands between their faces !) I will send you a link to Nothing In Life is Free this will help reestablish your PLP role.

[Teresa Ford]

NILIF - Nothing in Life is Free Program For Dogs

[KendraE]

I am so sorry you are going through this and wish I had some wonderful words of wisdom for you.....but I dont. We have never had any dominance issues with our crew (thankfuly). I know you must be scared for Mandies safety though as her brother is a much BIGGER brother. I really hope you can figure this out. Sending thoughts and prayers your way....as if you need more stress in an already stressful time!! Hugs!!!