[Charlz86]

Hello!

I have a bit of a situation, I'll try to be as brief as possible so it's not too long to read.

-We bought a Siberian Husky roughly a year and a bit ago, it ran away after 6 months.
-After 3 months of unsuccessful attempts to find him, we decided to buy a new puppy which ended up being an Akita
- Yesterday we got a call about our long lost Husky being found, we went to pick him up immediately.

Both dogs are male.

Our husky is now roughly a year and 3 months old, and our Akita pup is closing in on 5 months old.

When we brang him home, our akita got extremely excited and started badgering/annoying the husky the entire night, eventually leading to the husky lashing out and pinning the pup down with force and giving him the teeth/growl. After that we kept them in seperate yards.

Today I brang them together again to monitor their behaviour for a little bit and all I really got is the husky was obviously trying to assert himself by constantly pinning the akita down and standing ontop of him with his teeth out. I obviously stepped in each time he got aggressive and again separated them for the day.

Outside of the aggressive behavior towards the akita pup, he's a very smart, calm and gentle dog who never bites and always wants to play.


All I want to know is, what should we do? And how would you handle this situation if it were your own?

We have a few options so far but I just want to get an opinion from anyone who has experience raising 2 male dogs or from anyone who has any useful tips or ideas for me.

We don't want to get rid of one or the other because we love them both, but from the research I've done so far, they are a very volatile mix to have co-existing under the same roof. (main concern being the akita)

 

[Trzcina]

Does the pup do anything to elicit the dominance display? If the husky's simply pinning him and showing his teeth, this implies to me that it's an attempt at sorting out the pecking order and instructing the pup on what he considers acceptable behavior. How does the Akita react? If he reacts submissively, then that's good. I'd be less concerned about him at five months than when he's a bit older. Typically I wouldn't recommend neutering a dog at five months, but if he's not yet neutered--sometimes neutering before sexual maturity can lock the dog into being puppyish for longer (there are other things--both risks and benefits--associated with it, so do talk to your veterinarian, your breeder if you purchased the dog from a breeder, and do some research).

It sounds like, though, from what you've written, that your husky doesn't like the "badgering" from the pup and so is essentially going "Knock it off, kid." Definitely keep an eye on them, and keep them separate when you can't directly supervise them. Always consider your individual dogs but keep in mind the breeds--and work with each dog individually to improve obedience skills and your relationship with each dog to improve your control over them as the Akita gets older.

 

[JonTempleton]

I find it is always a matter of time. They are going to adapt if they have to.

 

[hanksimon]

In general, I agree with Trzcina. An adult dog can rip a pup to shreds in a moment if that is the goal. I feel that the husky is just telling the pup to stop being a pest. While the pup is still small, I suggest that you leave them alone and let them work it out, so that the pup learns some manners. Remember, for the moment, it is the pup that is misbehaving, not the husky... so don't reprimand the husky... reprimand the pup, or pull the pup away before he pesters the husky... if the husky isn't successful (Lab pups are incorrigible and will keep pestering, until they're bitten hard. And most adults won't bite to reprimand. I don't think Akita pups are like Labs.)

However, when the Akita hits about 10 mos, the dynamics will change and the Husky may treat him like an adult, and brutalize him a bit more.... But, before that happens, when the Akita is about the same size as the husky, the Akita may start to assert himself rather than submit. If it gets to that point, you may need to bring in some professional help... And, no one online can predict if these dogs will become good playmates or bitter rivals...

My suggestion is to try to keep the pup from getting over excited... Btw, you can still teach both dogs Bite Inhibition (Sticky: The Bite Stops Here) to minimize the chance for bloodletting...

 

[spotted nikes]

I think the older dog is trying to instill manners in the younger one. I'd let him, as long as no blood is being drawn, and the younger one submits. I'd also neuter the younger one.
Walk (briskly...no sniffing)/jog them together for about 45 min to an hr twice a day. It'll help them bond and get rid of excess energy, which can lead to anxiety/aggression. Huskies are high energy. Hope you are up for it.

 

[volito]

The older dog is in the house for two days with this pup after being lost for months correct? If this is he case the older guy is also very stressed from being in a new enviroment or who knows what he went thru, it'll take him 3 to 4 days to settle in and like most said he really don't want a little guy pestering him.....Looks like what most said teaching manners or what i said above... Don't sound like older dog wants to hurt pup or it would of happened already. also young pups puppy pass is just about over ....Take suggestions above keep seperate when not supoervised always reward good behaviors when there together, If it doesnt stop after a week I would seperate and start desensitizing and counterconditionong....

Each dog needs to be crated in separate rooms. One dog out ONLY at a time - other dog gets treats. Dogs are not allowed to harass each other or make nasty faces while in the presence of each other.

Basically you are desensitizing them. Dogs will never be able to be alone together unless supervised if it gets worse (probably if it doesnt stop or progresses). Dogs must both be neutered when of age. They are less than 2 years of age so you have a good chance of solving it. Also it can get to rough play or ritualized agression as pup gets older which is normal....