[Kaida]

As some of you know, we recently introduced into the household a foster dog, a corgi cross called Cara. Zack was a bit upset to begin with especially about her circling (the legacy of an untreated ear infection) and tried a few times to nip at her ears and tail as she went past on a circuit in front of him, but we put a stop to this straight away and all was well. Her circling has now decreased a lot and Zack has gotten used to what little there is left of it.

However there are signs of discord in the ranks. When she stands up from a nap he barks at her, and when they both go outside as soon as they're out the door he barks at her and tries to mouth her ears (once they're down the garden they're fine together). It's strange but now he's even started barking at us when we get up from being sat down somewhere. He used to bark lots when I picked her up to carry her downstairs (our stairs are steep and she stumbled once), but we're well on the way to dealing with that.

Zack has also gotten obsessed with the back door, getting a manic look in his eyes at the prospect of going out and launching himself on his back legs up as high as he can at the door. I'm not sure if this is to do with Cara or to do with the fact when the sunny weather started he maybe got used to going outside lots. He could also have gotten used to going outside lots with Cara as she's not house trained, so out every hour or two.

Cara has started taking Zack's toys off him, just coming close and he backs up nervously and then drops whatever he's got, and she takes it. He just lets this happen.

They're fine lay together or wandering round the garden or house together otherwise.

She ignores his barking and attempts at nipping/mouthing completely.

What's going on? Why is he barking so much and not listening to the "no bark" command which I know he knows? I get the feeling I'm too close to the situation to see the wood for the trees, so please can you knowledgeable folk pitch in?

[TooneyDogs]

I might have missed it but, I didn't see any dog aggression.
Nipping, mouthing and barking are pretty normal in dog interactions and certainly not dog aggressive.

[zimandtakandgrrandmimi]

sounds like she's lording it over him and he doesn't like be jacked from his previous position...

[Noah]

Yep, sounds like shes stealing his pecking order position. I'm only assuming though. When you brought her home, he probably realized his position was in danger and started acting funny.

[Curbside Prophet]

I think too much is made of "orders", so it sounds like nothing more than "dog" behavior.

[Kaida]

Thank you folks, you've put my mind at ease. So should I just ignore it or keep trying to prevent it? The barking is a problem anyway because I live in a semi-detached house and next door can hear it. But other than that issue, should I leave them to it?

[TooneyDogs]

How are you handling the barking? If you're talking to them, you're just adding to the volume. Take the straighforward, simple approach of stepping in-between the stimulus and the dog....look sideways at the dog (not a direct threat) and say, Shhh, Quiet or That's Enough in a quiet, calm tone.
Stand still...wait for calmness. If the barking doesn't drop off...try a 'hard look' and hold out your hand like a stop sign. That combination usually works but, it may take awhile for them to understand you mean business.

[Kaida]

Originally Posted by TooneyDogs

How are you handling the barking?

I generally whisper his name to get his attention, as well as trying to get in his eye line, and then tell him quietly "No bark" which is a command he knows.

[French Ring]

Your dog is barking at her and you because it is related to "rank" issues. Since you brought in a new dog, his position in the rank has been changed. It sounds like he is in lower rank than the foster dog. It affects everything what he does and someone is taking his better place. It is more of like he is "complaining" but at the same time he is comfortable with her taking things over.

Your dog is asking her to play with him or trying to get her to listen to him. She ignores him because she is higher in rank than he is. The way you describe about a foster dog ignores his barking and nipping his neck. She is disciplining/correcting him because he is barking at her. This is a very normal behavior when people let their dogs run the show.

I'm not saying that it is a bad thing, but some people can't control their dogs very well then it is better to let a dog runs it. I personally don't let my dogs behave like that and I always keep foster dogs tethered and crate often.

[melgrj7]

Simply stepping between the dogs and body blocking them when they are acting how you do not want them to act usually works. It takes a few times before they realize you mean it when you step between. When my dogs start getting so rowdy they get vocal, I step between them, and the go settle down (I live in an apartment so they can't be loud, they get to play rough outside). Teach your dogs they can do things seperatly by letting them out individually, while one is out, when the other is calm and quiet give them some attention. Take them on short walks alone. Teach them both "wait". When doing things in a group, whoever is being more polite gets to do things first (like go through doors or get petted). If one dog sits nicely and the other is rushing up to you and pushing the other dog out of the way, the one sitting nicely gets attention first or gets to go through a door first. They soon learn that "pulling rank" doesn't get them anywhere with you, being polite does.