Two dogs at home, one dominates other?

My Zion is 3 months old. I'm also dog-sitting a friend's 3 year old Puggle named Miley for a week.

Zion is a boy, 12 lbs, and not neutered (too soon & before puberty anyway).
Miley is a girl, 22 lbs and spayed.

I've been watching them interact carefully and Zion dominates the hell out of Miley despite her size & age. Miley can't stand Zion's sheer energy and relentless play.

They're NOT aggressive to each other, but it's clear Zion is in the higher order of two:
-He will often drive her into the corner just to show 'what's up'.
-To my surprise, he's very territorial with his food to her, something he'd never dare show to me.
-Zion can and does drink from Miley's water bowl and his. Miley can't even get close to his crate & feeding area.

I'm a strict disciplinarian and a clear alpha leader (Zion walks beside/behind me, many corrections, etc).

The ultimate question is:

Should I allow this to happen? Is it a pack social norm? Should I stop Zion whenever it becomes too rough OR stop him EVERYTIME to tolerate none of it?

I've read both cases where it's okay for them to establish sub pecking order and/or you should establish the grounds that they're all equals before you.

Please advise so I can act accordingly. :)

0 members like this

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jennifer Markley on November 5, 2010 at 5:57pm

I still have the ulitmate alpha role, but I do believe they need to work out their own pack order. It's natural for the male to be in charge. I wouldn't interfere (and usually don't) unless it gets extremely serious and I think one is going to draw blood on the other. If the dogs didn't hate each other the minute they met, then most spats are going to just be little quarrels--look nasty but no contact is made. And most of the time right after they grump at each other, they make up.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Judi, Dawn, Soffie & Griffyn on November 5, 2010 at 6:06pm

I agree with Jennifer on all points. They will most always work out their "pecking order".

Zion is in his own home and therefore I think would naturally dominate. Territorial with his food is okay, but I would draw the line if he became aggressive. My Soffie and Griffyn have their own food bowls but the both drink from the same water bowl. And there is a pecking order for that. Soffie is first!!

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Jane on November 6, 2010 at 1:59pm

Unless you think there's going to be blood flowing, I would just let them work it out themselves. If you break them up every time they start to fight it may lead to problems since they're never allowed to "finish the conversation" so to speak.

I think it's natural for Zion to be more dominant since it's his home and Miley is just visiting. It's also possible she is allowing him to be a more of a brat since he's a puppy and doesn't really know any better. As far as the food aggression, a warning growl I would allow, but actually going after the other dog I would not. Honestly at 3 months old I would be inclined to try and correct any type of serious guarding issues.