so sad about Sacha bossing Bob around

891 Views 6 Replies 3 Participants Last post by titiaamor, Jul 17, 2012

titiaamor

Discussion Starter · Jul 15, 2012 (Edited)

Sacha's been sick for 2 weeks, and is finally feeling better. Today, she has been bossing Bob around terribly, taking him down twice. They didn't bite each other but really quarreled.

She's actually been doing this a lot- if we're playing with Bob, or grooming him, she can't help but 'intervene.' Or she has been barking him off from greeting us first.

Can I train her out of this?

Tonight a family stopped by who is afraid of her so I was doing some training I always do with them together, and she jumped on Bob, held him down, he flipped over and they 'fought' w/o biting until my husband pushed them apart.

It's making me super sad to see them this way, and crying my eyes out is not my idea of a nice end to the weekend. Maybe some of this could be litter-mates syndrome?

Any suggestions at all??

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titiaamor

Discussion Starter · #4 · Jul 17, 2012 (Edited)

Thank you so much for responding. It helps a lot!!!

I totally see the 'bitch' reference now and it fits 100%. Bob generally accepts it, but I think it was a bit over the top yesterday.

Willowy said:
There's a reason they call nasty women bitches. . .

Female dogs do seem to boss the males around a lot. The males usually seem willing to accept this. I agree you should try to keep it to a minimum but I don't think you can totally eliminate the bossiness.

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titiaamor

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jul 17, 2012

I really appreciate your help and validation!!! It felt soooooo good to read your response.

Today my husband went one way and I went the other for their morning walk. In the afternoon I took them separately while the other stayed home with DH and DS, which doesn't work as well.

As far as the baby gate, Sacha will often start to whine and do that awful terrier bark if she can see us. Should I always train Bob out of sight or should I wait her out with the voaclizations?

Amaryllis said:
Yeah, littermate syndrome is a problem.

You need to train them separately, walk them separately and play with them separately. If you're playing with Bob or grooming Bob, Sacha should not have the opportunity to "boss" him. She should be behind a baby gate or in her crate. The same goes for Bob, if Sacha is playing with you, etc., he should be behind a baby gate or in his crate.

You can train Sacha to an extent. You can train her that such behavior earns her a time out away from the fun. Every single time. You also need to reward her for appropriate behavior at the same time.

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titiaamor

Discussion Starter · #6 · Jul 17, 2012

Amaryllis said:
Yeah, littermate syndrome is a problem.

You need to train them separately, walk them separately and play with them separately. If you're playing with Bob or grooming Bob, Sacha should not have the opportunity to "boss" him. She should be behind a baby gate or in her crate. The same goes for Bob, if Sacha is playing with you, etc., he should be behind a baby gate or in his crate.

You can train Sacha to an extent. You can train her that such behavior earns her a time out away from the fun. Every single time. You also need to reward her for appropriate behavior at the same time.

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titiaamor

Discussion Starter · #7 · Jul 17, 2012

One other thing on littermate syndrome....for the first time Sacha is peeing on our walks. She has never ever peed outside of our yard (and god forbid poop!)

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