[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?????