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Originally Posted by EbonysMom  Thank you to all who have posted on my bichons and the yorkies. I just wanted to clear up and say that I think you have the impression that I am getting "rid" of my bichons. No way do I want to do that at all. I want them to all get along. My bichons do not have run of the house whenever they want but they do have access to a acre of backyard that is completely fenced whenever they want. They have a doggie door and go in and out whenever they choose. They also get lots and lots of attention. They are also quite spoiled and knowing that is one of the reasons I am choosing to introduce them to the yorkie puppies as per the vets recommendation. However they are showing aggresion that they have never shown before and I do understand about them be domineering about thier posistion here but I was hoping to get some ideas from others here about what more I could do.The yorkies also do not have full run of the house. I would love for them to all get along. My bichons are very attached to me more so than anyone else here. Do you think they are trying to protect me? I have tried to show them so much more attention than they ever got before and that was a whole bunch! Getting "rid" of them is not my idea at all and I don't consider it at all. I have a friend who took in a rescue Pitt bull and after much aggresion and fights and so much more was able to successfully get him and her other three adult dogs to become good friends. I am not into big dogs but she did it and surely there must be someway I can get these two bichons to not be the way they are being. Thank you for all your responses. I appreciate all your opinions. |
It was this statement, that you made that made me think you were considering rehoming them:
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Originally Posted by EbonysMom
My daughters and my husband says to take the bichons to a rescue but I won't do that unless it is a total last resort
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I personally am not one who agrees with "spoiling" unless you mean pampering. Some people use the word spoiling to mean "no discipline" and discipline is very important for the dog's happiness. Animals are much more content when they know the "rules". According to Cesar Millan, dogs are pack animals, and all humans should be considered the pack leader before them, and then they have there own pecking order as well. Your dog's aren't respecting you as the pack leader, and there are many ways to establish yourself in this position.
One way, is to make the dogs sit before placing the food down. Have them sit and stay until you give the release command. The alpha dog is the dog that provides the food, and the other dogs don't eat until the alpha dog has eaten. This is innate for dogs and very easy for them to understand, just this one thing, puts you in a better position of authority. Walking and the way in which you do it is also important. It is Cesar's belief that walking is very important to a dog's well being, not just the exercise part of it, but the "hunt" of the walk. You as the "alpha" should guide the dogs, and they should walk next to you, not in front of you. This does require discipline and practice; again, just this one thing helps establish you as the boss. The alpha dog provides the food and fights predators, by being aggressive with the new puppies, your dogs are showing you that they think they are the alpha, or pack leader and as you suspected, are trying to protect you. There are other ways to establish yourself as boss, but one thing you should remember, you should never yell or hit your dogs, as they don't respect this action, I'm not saying you would do this, but lots of people do yell when frustrated and this should be avoided. As Cesar says, be "calm and asertive".