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Originally Posted by Lovetodream88  My trainers have always told me as long as they are not hurting each other let them work it out. I have found even if you intervene it doesn't mean much because the other dog is the one who needs to speak their dog language and tell them what's acceptable and what isn't. Now saying that Penny is the pack leader and mama here but she will let Dixie just chew and chew on her constantly where I do get involved after awhile. I found when they get to rowdy whether its the puppy getting rough or the others getting rough with her I use a squirt bottle of water to get every one to settle down. It took awhile for Dixie to be completely excepted into the pack but it did happen. I also try to give all 4 their own individual attention so no one gets resentful and jealous of each other. |
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Originally Posted by chasemom Thank you. I’ve been hearing that they will need to sort it out on their own and once they determine who the leader is there will be less stress. I’m taking in everyone’s advice, I just wanna make sure I’m doing what’s right for my babies. |
While it is true that dogs need to work things out, I feel I must caution you here. As I said in my first response, please keep a close eye on them. It is not common to have an aggressive dog, but it does happen. As a rescuer, I have had three who absolutely were not able to "work things out" with other dogs and our rescue has had others. The results can be devastating. We get emails frequently about people having major issues .... and dogs have been seriously injured. I had a foster who killed a dog in her previous home. She was under one year....I cannot remember exact age, but young and my vet didn't think it was possible for her to be that bad and she had no medical issues. I didn't either and while I never left her alone with my pups, I didn't really think she was capable of doing such a thing. It took her about 6 weeks in my home to show her other side. She attacked one of mine right in front of me one day, flipping her on her back and my pup ended up in ICU. I was RIGHT THERE. Scary. I think if Taylor would look back in my FB posts she might find that story. It was horrifying. Thankfully my pup survived and also, thankfully, I was able to find the perfect only dog home for that foster. I had another who attacked one another day. I have had more dogs in my home than I can count....trust me when I tell you it is NOT true that dogs can always "work it out". Most of the time they do, but we must always be vigilant because they are animals. I don't say that to be negative...it is just that they don't "think about things" like we do. That is why I said "IF" you see any aggression take it seriously. I am sure you will as you did reach out....I just wanted to be crystal clear that things are not always that rosy when it comes to dogs.