I fostered a lab from labs4rescue in September.The main reason I got her was to number one help save a lab and mainly for a friend for my sheltie,Molly.My lab,vanna,established her dominance the very first day.My sheltie had no problem with it as she had always been quiet and very docile.I ended uo adopting my lab.My problem is that I have had her for six months and she continues to exsert dominance over my sheltie.Such as pulling her tail,grabbing her feet and sometimes head in her mouth.She knocks her down and stands over her She pins her against the fence and wont let her get away.She doesn't seem to be hurting my sheltie but I figured that ater awhile she would stop as she has certainly established that she is alpha dog.My sheltie puts up with her behavior for awhile but then she gets angry and becomes somewhat agressive,like showing her teeth and barking loudly.I figure this is her way of saying I have had enough!Most of the tme they get along very well and seem to really care about each other.I would say that my lab exerts her dominance 4 to 8 times aday.Any advice out there as I feel that my sheltie is taking alot of abuse?Abuse is not really the right word because like I said my lab doesn't seem to be hurting her,I just cant think of a proper word.Thanks
I am so glad to hear that you are a "foster failure" like me too!
There are people who think it's best to let dogs figure out which is dominant and which is submissive but I think you, the owner, can influence the relationship alot, especially at the early stage after the new dog comes to your family.
In your case, you can always help your sheltie when your lab is too rough with her, by stopping your lab's roughhouse. Labs are so playful and it takes longer to become mature while shelties are herding dogs and they don't play the way labs like to play. They might need more personal space and time. Vanna needs to learn and respect Molly's moods and feelings.
In the same way, you can teach them to play nicely INSIDE the house, even though you allow them to play quite roughly. They can change the way to play, inside and outside too, for example, inside play is using more of mouths, instead of jumping around.
First observe them closely and stop Vanna whenever you think it is getting too much. Make her sit and down and take a break. Or you can get in between and devert Vanna's attention to something else, i.e. throwing balls, etc.
You can also tell Molly to "be nice" or "play nicely" and she will understand what you mean when she gets repeatedly corrected her behaviors.
I would step in and start working on the issue before it gets out of your hands.
Thank you for the imput.I really wasn't sure if I should interfere or not.I will heed your advice but if there is anyone else out there who has any input,I would appreciate it.
