Keeping the Rank

[Traci -Bexter & Maggie]

As many of you have probably seen, I just got my second dog.  She is a year old, actually 2 months older than my Bexter.  Maggie is so submissive that obviously Bexter will be the dominant one (which seems funny to me because Bex is not that dominant either).  Anyway - They've been doing great...sharing toys even bones.  No guarding tendencies on either part whatsoever.  My question is:Should I be reinforcing Bexter's dominance so Maggie feels secure in her new home?  Should I be feeding him before her & giving him his treats before her?

 

Also - Bexter is a mini & has always been able to sleep in our bed if he wants, which he jumps up for a little while then jumps back down & sleeps on the floor a lot too.  Not a problem.  However, Maggie is a standard who weighs 60 pounds and there's not a lot of room for her on the bed!  I would prefer for her to be allowed to come up to snuggle (both right before bed & first thing in the morning), but NOT sleep there.  She wants to just park herself up there all night.  I don't really want to crate her at night.  So...Is it ok to teach her than she needs to sleep on the floor (even though Bexter gets to be on the bed)?  Since he's the "dominant" one anyway, would that be ok?

 

I have read other posts about the first few days being a transition.  These dogs (neither one) are eating hardly anything.  I saw that is normal, but for how long???

[Cathy C. Bennett]

Hello Traci - Bexter & Maggie -  I feel every sentence! I was where you are a mere 18 months ago, and you will survive. I have two doods and they are about 15 months apart. I could share millions of uplifting and encouraging stories - but what I'm going to suggest is that you take a few minutes and read some of their stories on their blog site: www.groovygoldendoodles.com  You are not alone...

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Traci, I think you have to let them work out the pecking order their own way. It sounds like they are getting used to each other. I am sure Maggie is out of sorts. She has just left the only home she has ever known and is finding her bearings. You may find it takes about a month for things to settle down and her true personality to shine through and the pecking order may change a little.  As far as the bed, we sometimes have a 50 pound dog and a 90 pound dog in bed with us. I love it, but my DH not so much :) Personally, I would have a hard time making one stay down and letting the other up, but then I don't sleep so well every night....LOL!! Luckily, it is getting warmer and both dogs prefer the floor. We have a king size bed, but really need something bigger :) Good luck.

P.S. I fed my dogs together from day one. I make them both sit for treats and the one who sits first, gets the treat first. Vern has a tendency to want to be pushy with treats, so I try and reward the good behavior.