Thanks everyone! I know that there are going to be scuffles between dogs because of the potential shift of the order and I expected nothing less honestly. My responsibility is to make sure that those scuffles don't result in serious injury. Tiffany (the baby) for the most part is doing really well. I have myself two dogs with a strong desire to be the pack leader amongst the dog pack. I myself am a strong alpha leader so while she may be searching for security, it won't be long before she realizes I am her security. In the home she came from she was in fact in charge of the people. The reason they rehomed her is because Tiffany spent at minimum 12 hours a day closed up in the laundry room with food, a potty pad and a bed. When they were at home they allowed her to do as she pleased and beckoned to her every desire out of the guilt of her being alone so much. My other dog and I had a serious battle of the wills when he was a pup and it took me 6 mos to establish I was the leader to him...my husband has not received that respect as of yet and the dog is almost 5 now. My husband wavers and Tiffany has already picked up on that and goes to him when she doesn't get her way with me or the other dog. I know the triggers to my other dog and have been successful in preventing any problems over feeding. I feed them in separate rooms as to avoid an all out war and have no bones laying around the house anymore. I allow Tiffany on the couch but my other dog will not allow her on the bed. My other dog sleeps at the foot of the bed and that seems to be a bone of contention between them but at the same time I am thinking there won't be too many more arguments about the bed. Pretty sure last night sealed the deal and Tiffany slept on the couch. It is going to be interesting to see how this pack of dogs adjust because Papi has maintained his pack authority with everything from a 6lb shih tzu to a 100lb lab and seemingly everything in between both male and female. I am quite taken back by Tiffanys lack of cues. Generally speaking, unless there is an aggression issue most dogs will give a low growl, stand stiff, bear teeth then attack...Tiffany just growls and attacks often times out of the blue. For example, Papi can be curled up asleep on the floor, no toys out, no food, nothing around to be possessive over and she will just growl and try to attack. I know she is going through a stressful adjustment period and it can't be easy for her. I am giving both dogs an equal amount of attention and making sure that one doesn't get anything the other doesn't get. Luckily I am at home all day so Tiffany is out and about but I am thinking she may be in shock that she isn't being closed in a room by herself. I am thinking about purchasing a small kennel that she can associate as a den of her very own. Not to close her in but to allow her free access in case she is feeling overwhelmed. We have only had 3 small scuffles between the two and the last one resulted in Tiffany retreating to the other room so I hope that peace is on the horizon. For the most part they co exist with no problem and really don't pay each other much attention other than the occasional sniff. Tiffany won't play yet and I hope that changes as she gets more comfortable because right now she is acting like she has no interest in toys or doesn't know what to do with them. Thanks everyone for your input, I will try to keep everyone up to date as to any progress we make. |