[yorkietalkjilly]

Personally I try to allow the dogs to settle their hierarchy and pack dynamic issues and as long as just growling and teeth baring occur for the first few days and nothing more, I leave them be. They are animals and often use their use teeth like we do hands or fists. The two dogs have to find a way to co-exist comfortably. If it gets more drastic and the one dog bites the air close to the other or tries to nip, you will have to discipline him to let him know his behavior is unacceptable. Immediately arise with a firm"No!", point at him, focus your eyes into his with burning intent and walk into his space as you intently stare into his eyes, and back him off until he lowers his head and turns away, leaves the area as you stand your ground of what is and isn't acceptable behavior in your home, still staring at him. Some will even place their hand in the shape of a claw over the back of the dog's neck and hold it there(without digging in hard or hurting the confused little guys) for 30 seconds as you bend over them until they receive the message that that kind of dangerous use of teeth will always be immediately rebuked.

The dog whose home is being "invaded", as he may initially look at it, is usually a little confused by the big changes in his life himself and may be determined to protect and guard his territory and resources at first. But the "new" dog may be the one who gets scared and defensive or tries to dominate and tries to bite or nip at times.

In time, with a few warnings and spats and maybe some near-biting, nipping, the dog who aggressed will begin to see his behavior won't be tolerated by Mommie, begin to control himself and adjust to the other dog as a pack member once they've had a chance to settle their places in the family and truly bond. Some dogs never make the transition but those are few and far between.

By taking up the toys and chews at first, feeding them separately, keeping their interactions limited at first, allowing the new girl to spend time observing from her crate or a spot on the couch and watching both dogs' body language as they interact with each other and with you stopping behavior before it gets drastic, you can prevent a lot of troubles.

Putting Wallee in a crate right beside you or making him stay at the end of the couch or across the room a bit as you pat Summer and hand-play with her, kiss her and concurrently toss him a luscious treat will help him adjust to their new girl's "right" to have your attentions. It may take time but if you treat him as you play and interact with her, it can help ease the first dog into thinking having you play with her isn't so bad. Later, he should accept your affections and attentions to her as part of her due.

Most dogs tend to be extremely jealous though usually they don't fight over that jealousy - just try to push themselves into the forefront and wedge the other one out, growl if another dog approaches their resources and don't try to hide their jealous natures! They readily steal from one another and don't care to share food, toys or chewies much at all if ever. Add to that two adult dogs trying to adjust to each other and the new pack that is forming and you have a stressful time at first and maybe all along the way, at times, as dogs are not always perfectly happy companions every day of their lives, just as humans aren't. But as a rule, dogs love to have another dog in their home.