Post by greyghost on Feb 9, 2005 23:13:21 GMT -5
I think my first post here was about Stuie and Cookie's dominance battle. Things cooled off a LOT. NILIF helped, my husband understanding that Stu needed to be petted first, fed first, walked first, made a difference.
However, we have had three battles happen in the past month, and I am looking for answers.
Can a dog be over-possessive of a certain person?
David's time with the girls is limited. He works full time, (I work from home). So his coming home and being home is playtime. I've noticed for a while that if he wants to play with Cookie, Stu will step in the middle and play with Cookie instead. If Stu is playing with Dave, Cookie usually takes a back seat. However, sometimes Cookie is welcome to play a three-ended tug-of war. Other times, Stu growls her off. Must be confusing to be Cookie.
At risk of making a HORRIBLY LONG post, I'll explain each incident.
Incident 1: I was on the computer, Dave was next to me, looking at the screen. The girls were playing in the middle of the room. Their play got them very close to Dave (not to me) and play turned nasty. Cookie bit Stu's ear. Dave said Cookie was closest to him when it got bitter.
Incident 2: We were all in the kitchen. Dave was on the floor, Stu and Cookie were both getting attention from Dave. Then KABOOM! Fight time. No idea what happened, but Stu bit Cookie's ear. Ear for an ear, I guess.
Incident 3: This morning. Dave's got a cold, and Stu stayed right by him all night. He had to set things up for the sub at work, came back while it was still morning. Went to bed, Stu curled up next to him. Cookie being the sweet puppy she is, wanted to lay next to him too. Seemed okay. (I usually do not allow Cookie on the bed). About 20 minutes later, Stu gives a small growl, then just lit into Cookie. We separated them and have kept them separated since. No blood this time.
Cookie is a hopeless klutz and it could be that she stepped on Stu's tail or foot while going after an itch, or rearranged slightly. She steps on us all the time, no matter that we tell her "no" and put her feet on the ground EVERY TIME (it doesn't appear to be dominance related - she just seems to think she should crawl on us and curl up, even tho she has always been too big to cuddle like that since we got her). She's also not always quick on the uptake. The mildest reproof does plenty with her - she's a submissive dog.
This morning's battle at least had some warning. I heard the growl from the next room and was on my way over when it started.
My guess on handling this is: they can be together, until Dave gets home. Then they have to be separated.
I'm just wondering if there is anything he or I can do to put a stop to this? I am going to just keep the gate between them while he is home, lest the wars begin anew or, god forbid, begin to include other things.
However, we have had three battles happen in the past month, and I am looking for answers.
Can a dog be over-possessive of a certain person?
David's time with the girls is limited. He works full time, (I work from home). So his coming home and being home is playtime. I've noticed for a while that if he wants to play with Cookie, Stu will step in the middle and play with Cookie instead. If Stu is playing with Dave, Cookie usually takes a back seat. However, sometimes Cookie is welcome to play a three-ended tug-of war. Other times, Stu growls her off. Must be confusing to be Cookie.
At risk of making a HORRIBLY LONG post, I'll explain each incident.
Incident 1: I was on the computer, Dave was next to me, looking at the screen. The girls were playing in the middle of the room. Their play got them very close to Dave (not to me) and play turned nasty. Cookie bit Stu's ear. Dave said Cookie was closest to him when it got bitter.
Incident 2: We were all in the kitchen. Dave was on the floor, Stu and Cookie were both getting attention from Dave. Then KABOOM! Fight time. No idea what happened, but Stu bit Cookie's ear. Ear for an ear, I guess.
Incident 3: This morning. Dave's got a cold, and Stu stayed right by him all night. He had to set things up for the sub at work, came back while it was still morning. Went to bed, Stu curled up next to him. Cookie being the sweet puppy she is, wanted to lay next to him too. Seemed okay. (I usually do not allow Cookie on the bed). About 20 minutes later, Stu gives a small growl, then just lit into Cookie. We separated them and have kept them separated since. No blood this time.
Cookie is a hopeless klutz and it could be that she stepped on Stu's tail or foot while going after an itch, or rearranged slightly. She steps on us all the time, no matter that we tell her "no" and put her feet on the ground EVERY TIME (it doesn't appear to be dominance related - she just seems to think she should crawl on us and curl up, even tho she has always been too big to cuddle like that since we got her). She's also not always quick on the uptake. The mildest reproof does plenty with her - she's a submissive dog.
This morning's battle at least had some warning. I heard the growl from the next room and was on my way over when it started.
My guess on handling this is: they can be together, until Dave gets home. Then they have to be separated.
I'm just wondering if there is anything he or I can do to put a stop to this? I am going to just keep the gate between them while he is home, lest the wars begin anew or, god forbid, begin to include other things.