I have two dogs, an eight year old lab mix with three legs (Rusty) and an eleven month old boxer/rot mix (Anakin). I have had Rusty for seven years and Anakin just joined our family about 5 months ago. Often times Anakin (who is 75 lbs) sits on top of Rusty and always pushes him out of the way when he comes around me. Maybe this isn't such a big deal, but Rusty is getting older and because of his handicap I'm worried how this may effect him. Can anyone give me advise on how to stop Anakin from doing this? As far as body language, Anakin usually has his ears hung low and tail (or stump, I should say) wagging. So I'm not sure if he's nervous looking for Rusty to protect him, or he's protecting Rusty or what, but I really need it to stop, I'm sure Rusty would appreciate it too!
it's really hard to tell without seeing the body language. From what you describe it sounds as though Anakin is the more dominant dog. It makes sense as the members in the pack who are physically fit and strong are higher in the hierarchy. You should feed Anakin first and give him attention first. Make sure you are the pack leader followed by any other humans in your family, followed by Anakin. If both dogs know their place in the pack and you act accordingly Anakin won't need to display his dominance in a physical way all the time. I hope that helps.
I don't know about a pack of stranger dogs but as long as your own dogs are concerned you should control the pecking order yourself, and yes, you can as the leader.
By adding a new dog (Anakin) your old dog (Rusty) should never feel pushed out or threatened by the new dog in my opinion. It doesn't matter which one is physically stronger or has dominant personality. YOU ARE the one who decides the pecking order and puts harmony in place. I have been doing this with many of my own dogs and foster dogs. In my family, there is a seniority. New dogs are always treated at last. As long as YOU treat the older dog with favor, your new dog recognizes the older dog as someone to respect and copy to.
Dogs that live with people don't need to have a hirachy based on their physical strengh. They don't need to fight over food, they don't need to protect or mark territory. In fact, my 3 dogs get in and out our back door in random orders. It is all depends what's out there. If there is a squirrel in the yard, the one that is obsessed with squirrels rushes out first. If it's meal time, the one who is the most food oriented comes in the door first. The one who needs to go pee, come to me and let me know he needs to go out, I open the door and he goes out followed by the other 2 (and my foster dog).
Rusty has been living with you for a long time. He knows your routine and your house rules. He should be treated as the first dog. The new comer, Anakin, should learn a lot of things from him. Please don't let him be dominant over Rusty. Correct his behaviors (such as pushing Rusty away) every time he does that.
I didn't have time to write about how to fix the problem last night. Here is what I would do:
1) Treat Rusty as the No. 1 dog (eg. food, treats, toys, petting him, giving him attention, everything)
2) If you feel comfortable controling Rusty and Anakin, have him wait while give Rusty a rawhide, bone, etc, that he can not eat it up right away. Have Rusty drop the rawhide and give it to Rusty. If you are not comfortable don't do this. The idea is that Anakin can have goodies after Rusty got his turn.
3) When Anakin comes between you and Rusty, push him aside and make him wait. Give Rusty a plenty of pet and attention, then turn to Anakin and praise him for waiting before you give HIM attention.
My foster dogs always want my attention and cut in between me and my own dogs. I don't let the foster dog do this. For example, when I bring all 4 dogs inside, I would wipe my own dogs paws in the pecking order and the foster dog comes the last. I physically have to push him aside because most of the foster dogs don't even know what "wait" means. However, within a matter of few days those foster dogs learn the pecking order and just wait for their turn.
