Dog corrects other dog for doing things

melgrj7 · 06-08-2008, 01:25 AM

We have already gotten a good hold on this, but I was just wondering if it is a common occurrence.

When we would call Lloyd to us, or pet him, or if he would come to us and we would give him attention, as soon as he walked away Allie would come up and nail him in the neck or grab his face. Some other times she would get between us and him when we called him and not let him get to us. She tried to not let him play, ever. She has mostly stopped this now as we let her know it was not an ok thing to do (we would body block her from getting near him when her intent was to correct him). She did this in her previous home with their other dog, and that dog was afraid to do anything because Allie would constantly correct it for doing things, like playing, running, coming up to people. And the owners let Allie do it. The other dog was totally shut down all the time. They have told us that since Allie has been gone they are finally seeing the other dogs personality come out and she finally gets to play. It seems like Allie likes to make up rules and enforce them, which we do not allow, and she is coming to terms with that.

Allie rarely tries to do it now, and if she does go to do it I simply have to say her name and she stops. I was just curious if this is normal behavior, or is something off with her?

Michell · 06-08-2008, 02:18 AM

I think its pretty normal. Its a behavior problem .... you know, jealousy/dominance/preying on the weak.

Our dog used to do that as well, though I never really noticed until we got a new puppy. We had to shut that behavior down quick.

melgrj7 · 06-08-2008, 04:00 AM

I've seen other dogs do this, just not to the severity she does it. She would even do it if she happened to not want the other dog to walk at the moment. She is a control freak I think! She is dealing with no longer being in charge. We used to jokingly call her the play police when she was with her other owners, if there was play she would stop it and then go on to play by herself while the other dogs had to sit and watch. Lloyd doesn't put up with it, and I don't let her do it anymore, so she is slowly learning how to interact in a different way.

French Ring · 06-08-2008, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by melgrj7

Allie rarely tries to do it now, and if she does go to do it I simply have to say her name and she stops. I was just curious if this is normal behavior, or is something off with her?

Allie's behavior is a very very normal behavior for being the alpha. If you are the leader of the pack, you have the right to correct everyone. Who is allowed to get attention and who isn't. And who is allowed to get into fight and who isn't. All that little rules. That is what she did and no one had done anything to correct her behavior.

In her previous home, she bosses everyone and controls who is allowed to play and not. That is why I kept telling people when they are bringing a new dog home, they should keep that dog tethered indoor and outdoor for first few days. To teach them about the "new rule" or they will run your house like they do with their former home.

alphadoginthehouse · 06-08-2008, 02:19 PM

IMO, this is not Allie "correcting" the other dog...it is domination on her part. It is good that you are stopping the behavior now. It's a shame it was allowed at her previous home. Good luck.

melgrj7 · 06-09-2008, 12:55 AM

Yes, domination is the perfect word to describe it! I do not allow it at all. She is allowed to tell Lloyd to leave her alone of course, but that is it, she is not allowed to make up rules like she did in her previous home. She seems like a lost dog, trying to figure life out all over again. She is getting there though

Quote:

Originally Posted by alphadoginthehouse

IMO, this is not Allie "correcting" the other dog...it is domination on her part. It is good that you are stopping the behavior now. It's a shame it was allowed at her previous home. Good luck.

poodleholic · 06-09-2008, 02:09 AM

You can avoid this kind of behavior by providing each dog with one-on-one time, very important with multiple dogs. Otherwise they get possessive (of you) when showing attention to the other dog(s).

alphadoginthehouse · 06-09-2008, 07:44 AM

I give each of mine one-on-one time now that I have a newbie. Before they were both pretty secure and would "visit" me alone on their own. Now, because they aren't real thrilled with this new "ball of energy" I make a point to talk to each of them alone. Have to make sure they know I love them. The cat won't sit still long enough for me to love on him much so I just try to rescue him from the new baby. She is so full of energy!!!!

melgrj7 · 06-09-2008, 03:19 PM

They each get lots of one on one time. Allie was like this when we first got her (a month or two ago), not really anymore. Allie has a lot of bad habits we don't want Lloyd picking up, so we tend to do a lot of things separately with them, so when with Allie we can focus on teaching her the right way to act, as well as avoid giving Lloyd a bad role model. They each go out to potty singly (we have to take them out on a leash because we are in an apartment), they each go to obedience class singly, and they each get a short walk singly. The things we do as a group (me with both of them) are the long 4 mile walk and the run, I just can't do two of each of those, and they get to play together in the parking area for 15-20 minutes each day, as they are not allowed to rough house inside.

Quote:

Originally Posted by poodleholic

You can avoid this kind of behavior by providing each dog with one-on-one time, very important with multiple dogs. Otherwise they get possessive (of you) when showing attention to the other dog(s).

Dog5 · 06-09-2008, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alphadoginthehouse

IMO, this is not Allie "correcting" the other dog...it is domination on her part. It is good that you are stopping the behavior now. It's a shame it was allowed at her previous home. Good luck.

Yeah I agree - this is dominance behavior. I've seen one of my Chihuahuas "correct" the other dogs - I always say he helps me raise the rest of the pack - but this is alpha dog to the max behavior. Good for you for taking charge of her!