Corgi Forums - View Single Post - Help with getting along with other dog and housebreaking

MyPemCharlie · 10-22-2007, 06:34 PM

When you say you "just got" the 6 month old, do you mean last week, last month, or four months ago? If you just got the new puppy in the last week or two, the dogs are going through a fairly normal process of establishing their pack order.

You and your spouse are always #1 and #2 pack members, followed by any children in #3, followed by your dogs. Your dogs are competing with each other for rank. Pay very close attention to which dog is "winning" and reinforce that pack order when interacting with your dogs. If the 6 month old establishes a higher rank, then you need to always feed her first, give her toys first, give her affection first. Even though that sounds "unfair" to humans, it is perfectly logical to dogs and will keep them from getting confused and having to constantly compete for rank.

One mistake a lot of people make is to try to decide "for the dogs" which one is alpha. The dogs will decide with their instinctual cues, and you have to reinforce. Not letting any major fights break out between them is a part of your role as Alpha.

Peggy's advice is also very good...great articles and recommendations.

	(#6 (permalink))
MyPemCharlie Senior Member Dog Profile Status: Offline Posts: 906 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Texas	10-22-2007, 06:34 PM When you say you "just got" the 6 month old, do you mean last week, last month, or four months ago? If you just got the new puppy in the last week or two, the dogs are going through a fairly normal process of establishing their pack order. You and your spouse are always #1 and #2 pack members, followed by any children in #3, followed by your dogs. Your dogs are competing with each other for rank. Pay very close attention to which dog is "winning" and reinforce that pack order when interacting with your dogs. If the 6 month old establishes a higher rank, then you need to always feed her first, give her toys first, give her affection first. Even though that sounds "unfair" to humans, it is perfectly logical to dogs and will keep them from getting confused and having to constantly compete for rank. One mistake a lot of people make is to try to decide "for the dogs" which one is alpha. The dogs will decide with their instinctual cues, and you have to reinforce. Not letting any major fights break out between them is a part of your role as Alpha. Peggy's advice is also very good...great articles and recommendations. Chris & Charlie He Ain't Heavy, He's My Corgi!