Other articles with keyword "DOGGIEPING" since 12/29/04
The two dogs have worked out their issues. I pretty much stopped interfering with their fighting unless it got out of hand (too much noise, bumping into things, etc.) and didn't show favoritism.
The 30 lb. female is now comfortably dominant over the now 65 lb. male. The male has a whole set of complex rituals he carries out to comply with her superiority. For instance he'll sit and wait for the female to check out his food bowl before eating any and leaves a few bits for her when he's done. He can still be a bully because of his size and weight but he knows what her limits are and doesn't cross them.
It all just seems to work out now. They play fight all the time but never aggressively and she sometimes whines when she can't be near her big buddy.
Thank you for the advise.
Really glad they worked it out without bloodshed or needing to find them new homes. :~) Most times, they can if we only intervene in the right way.
Growing up will help a bunch.
That play fighting should continue to become less frequent.
I had to labs raised together as puppies.
It was constant when they were under 2.
Now it only happens when they are in high spirits.
Congrats on both of them surviving one another.
Dogs don't WANT to fight . . . they generally can work it out.
Glad yours did.
Very good to hear!
Not a shock at all. I had a very dominant (but NOT insecure - I was NOT "constantly manipulating" to stay alpha myself in the household!) 60-lb female GS. She was very stable and non-aggressive, but other dogs knew she was boss.
She ruled my sister's 110-lb GS male when they would visit. He was dominant too - but not as much! She just somehow telepathically let it known she was in control. She would never drop her toys, and would go and grab her toys or food before any other dog could get it (she was a picky eater who really didn't much care about food).
When Yanto was younger (but big), he tried to mount her - by far the most aggressive I eve saw Shana get. They were simply standing - Shana forward - and panting. She turned on him suddenly after he got a foot up and literally drove him 30 ft back into the yard with her severe toothy "punishment". Lots of nasty noise and white showing. But she never really bit him. Then it all stopped quickly. If Yanto had any doubt before, he knew now not to "cross the line".
It's not a surprise at all when small(er) females are dominant! (I love the bucking the stereotype!)