The Tide is Turning - Holy Doodle!

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Every since Stuart came, Rooney has made it very clear that he was here first and he is the top dog.  Fast forward a little over 2 months and Stuart is now the larger to the two, he has 9 or 10 lbs on Rooney and as of yesterday is taller by a little.  Their play tonight is different - no nothing was broken but Stuart is acting like he owns the place and me!  Of course Rooney isn't liking it one bit and is sulking and won't even come to me.  The few times he did - Stuart is acting like an affection hog and shoves his way in there too.  Rooney earlier was humping Stuart and the growling and bite play is getting pretty rough.  I feel like Rooney deserves to be alpha - he was here first but I realize they should sort this out themselves so I'm trying to not interfere but it is hard to watch.  I always give Rooney his food first and Stuart gets his put down after Rooney's but should I even be doing that?  How does everyone handle this?

[Jeanne, Tura and Dolly]

I found this to be very tough.  Tura was 9 months old when Dolly arrived.  Initially Dolly was shy but within a day she was dominate over Tura.  It made me sad for my baby, getting bossed around by the little one.  But they work it out and while Rooney may act out a bit, he is older and will stand his ground if Stuart gets too rough.  ie.) Tura decided to show me how mad she was about the invasion by peeing and pooping in the house for a month. UGH.    I would alternate who gets food first for awhile until they are a little older and it is clear who is alpha.  Also, give cuddles to Stuart where Rooney can't interfere and make Stuart sit and stay away while you give Rooney hugs.  I think you have to be alpha when situations like this come up.  Also, take them out for a training session one at a time to remind them whose the boss.  Then have yourself a glass of wine. Phew!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I have always let my two work it out, but today, Vern started humping Fudge with a vengeance and he never does that either. I just posted a discussion. I made him stop, but surprisingly Fudge did not seem to mind. I feed them both at the same time. As for the affection hog, that is Vern, but I just make sure to give equal hugs to both of them. Fudge will let Vern have it if he plays too rough and he stops.

[Cathy C. Bennett]

Can I relate! I too read all the books on "introducing another pet..." and let me tell you something, after three days of chaos I thought I would loose my mind. Harley was two and Leo was 6 months. At 6 month Leo was the same weight as Harley and a couple of inches taller, but Harley wouldn't let Leo touch nothing, go to no one, or even look at anything. I too did the leash Harley up first, feed Harley first, pet Harley first thing, and then I said "enough". It was when I treated them like children that it all came to a screeching halt. I refused to keep tabs on who got what first. I was the alpha and they both were to accept what I decided regardless of what they (Harley) thought was fair. If Harley even looked like he wanted to growl he was scolded, and I am happy to say that they are the best of buddies, they may have a difference of opinion, but it is rare and it never gets out of hand. I started a blog on them - so if you get some time, please go to www.groovygoldendoodles.com and perhaps you may read some of their antics and realize you are not alone. So exhale and do what comes natural to you.

Hope this helps a little

[Bev]

I have four doods and they sort out order themselves. My youngest wants to be alpha but it will never happen as the oldest is alpha and the little one would take over if anything happened to the oldest. I had a little Havanese be the alpha dog to two labs and it was funny. She would nip the one lab she didn't like every morning and it stayed away from her all day. She liked the other lab and they would play all day. Unless you have to step in to prevent broken skin (use a hose to stop rough play), I would let them sort out this event. Good luck!!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Our old lab mix was alpha and lovingly claimed that position over our other dogs and the cousin dogs from the time they came to the house.  He passed away and our alpha is now our smallest dog.  It was obvious that he was second banana early on.  Our adult rescue and our Springer Spaniel had lots of arguments for second to the bottom of the pack!  We interfered if it was too heated simply because I didn't like it.  We also picked up high value toys and put them away.  We also kept them separated when we were gone for the first couple of months.  They did settle it finally and get along well with a few growls when one wants to keep the favorite-of-the-moment toy from the other.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I find it interesting that size and strength do not determine who rules the roost. Around here it's Luca, about twenty pounds lighter than Calla. The two doodles are OK with this arrangement so I let it be.