Red Mal

you'll be fine, she's young, just do it for different lengths of time, then treat. Don't make it longer and longer or she will realise this. Spend 10 minutes each day, first get a 'watch' for 10 seconds, then try one for 15 seconds, then do one for 5 seconds and so on. Treat each time, by varying the time from short - long- short and so on, she will not be able to predict when she gets treated and it will become a 'game' If she begins to get bored, finish the session and start again later. But always finish a session with her doing something for you to earn the release to do as she pleases. Good luck, let me know how you get on with it

Okay so no talking and no pinning got it. I do watch the sibe. She is a bully. She is always testing the others. I dont normally miss a cue( while I am watching) because I say 'leave it'/ 'knock it off'/'no' when I know shes going to start something. keep to one serious command like 'leave it'. If you think she's about to start something that's more serious, stand up in front of her, proud, say nothing, but she will look at you. If she moves to move around you, block her. This is what I mean by mentally, overpower her by demonstrating that YOU are the leader and whatever the others are doing is fine by you, and she needn't intervene, so you are stopping her or distracting her :p naughty, naughty YOU need to hold her look until YOU release her, not when she's had enough. Use a simple release word, I use 'Yes', and I also do this for feeding too. I put the food down, they watch me, until I am ready to say 'Yes'. Then they eat. You can also use the 'watch me' for when shes about to start something too. Hold her look until YOU say so, then if she looks away, repeat the command. If she refuses to look at you or moves, then you stand in front of her giving her no choice. Praise when she looks at you with (again) short word, like 'Good'. Keep the words consistent, especially the release word. hope this helps, as I said without seeing them it can be difficult ;)

OK, parting a fight is not being part of it, you are saying their behaviour is unnacceptable. Once the fight is over, and THEN you pin down, that is effectively challenging them. When you separate, NEVER shout. You needn't speak at all, it's inefective. Just part dogs, and walk away. You need to keep a closer eye on your sibe and watch her behaviour, as someone said before, you may just be missing little things she does. As the Alpha, you need to lead by example and overpower them mentally.

Why are you feeding dry food with BARF ? If you see the benefits of Barf there really is no reason to add dry food. Also they digest at different rates, which can and does cause problems when feeding both. Firstly I would decide to stick with one or the other, there is no benefit to feeding both, when one or the other will suffice. As with the amount, I agree with whats been said, you need to judge on your own dogs good health and condition and feed accordingly.

Totally agree with Gottalovealab and Erny on this. There is defeinitely a structure, whether we see it or not and even if we do see it, is it perceived correctly ? Sometimes it's only subtle and sometimes more evident.

my_sibe_owns_me, please feel free to PM if you like, I'm only on at certain times, because of the time difference, but feel free if you wish I have to say I agree with Staff'n'Toller in the main, as this could be a potentially dangerous situation and by pinning them down, yes, you are joining in, not preventing the situation. If your Mast is ageing, the sibe will be feeling this and with the sibe being in season, yes her hormones will be deciding what she does. I don't say that dogs behave the same as Wolves, because of domesticity, except in certain cases, where certain traits coming through are classic wolf behaviour. Again, as I said previously, this is more noticeable in certain breeds of dogs, the spitz breeds mainly, but often others too, after all they are all Canin Lupis. I too don't know of any behaviourists in your area, being overseas, but I would seek someone out and ask advice as there's only so much you can convey through a keyboard without actually seeing the dogs behaviour.

I understand what you mean, I was just trying to explain that by you saying you are a strong leader (and threfore you don't have this problem), you could make others feel like they are failing in the role, because they obviously have a problem which must mean (to them) that they aren't strong leaders, which isn't the case. Anyone, even the strongest leaders somtimes have this issue, because not all dogs are the same, and some are more challenging than others. I am a very strong leader and can sort my own and other people's dogs just fine, it doesn't mean that 1 dog will still not try to challenge. Some are stronger than others psychologically and left to their own devices, they would be an Alpha. Jesomil, Just didn't want anyone to feel like it's their fault, as it's not always the case I currently have a dominance issue with a 3 year old, who suddenly thinks he can start challenging my husband again :D Unfortunately, my husband has these issues (not me), because I am a stronger leader than him and he's my Bitch

:D and no doubt thinking of 'ole lil mexican' while you type it

I'm sure in many cases the problems arise from the owner yes, I agree. I've seen terrible owners who's dogs run roughshod over them and the owners are at a loss as to what to do. However, I think certainly some breeds are more predisposed to forming instinctual traits that cannot be helped, so therefore the owner needs to 'manage' this very carefully. There are also very strong willed dogs and some that are born submissive without a care in the world happy to let everyone take over them. But then if we all had dogs like that, it would be very boring IMO :D

Totally agree with this. Bitches are far worse and will fight to the death. I often describe Dogs like drunken blokes.......they have a skinful, have a scuffle, then a pat on the back and 'mates' again :D Bitches are like women.....need I say more No probs. and BUMP means bumping the topic back to the top so someone will see it and answer Jesomil, I have no desire to argue with you, I am offering advice of experience to someone who clearly has a hierarchial problem within her pack. If you have no problem in that area, I don't see the reason to say to them that it doesn't exist, that's all. They clearly see the problem and are asking for advice. As for Cesar Milan, yes he does have hierarchial problems within his pack, as demontrated once when he was explaining about feeding his 'top dogs' on a higher bench and his 'lower dogs' on the ground below. Anyone who knows about Canine behaviour understands these issues can and do arise. As for saying you've seen it many times, .....in your previous post you said, you're not sure it exists !!!

You thanked me before I answered you ! Are you Psychic ? :D OOh, I watched 'el cheeky mexicano boy' today TWICE on a double episode

If it were a younger dog, I would do the same in reinforcing her status, however if she is elderly and infirm, your younger dog is picking up on this and will try to challenge for the position. All I would suggest is to continue what you are doing with caution, or keep your elderly dog out of harms way. Your younger dog will may feel worried that the older one is not capable of taking care of things and this can cause other problems if you are reinforcing her position. he will then worry that you are in fact not capable of being Alpha as you are allowing an infirm dog to remain at the top. I know someone who once had this dilemma and she swapped their positions gradually, so the older dog was under the younger dog, but it was done with great caution and very slowly. Hope this helps

The way i understand it, it does change and there are many factors that can cause a change. I dont know about others, but i have never really been able to identify "pack order" in my dogs. Yes, as I said in my previous post, many people I've known have had many dogs, with no clear hierarchy, they have all been happy to be equal. Som dogs and/or breeds are happy with this and see no reason to seek status. There may be no hierarchyial system within your dogs and if they are happy that way you are one of the lucky ones, that does not have this problem. The factors causing a change in this are usually down to a breakdown in communication from Alpha or age or illnesses of other dogs etc. I'm not saying they never happen, as I said previously, without these factors, it's usually down to confusing messages from the Alpha (Owner). Not sure about us humans sustaining heirarchy..... but i could be wrong :D I believe the owner is the leader and the others are the followers. Whether they have their own heirarchy, i am not sure. If you had been in my house when feeding time comes when I've had a few dogs in, you would see the hierarchy speak for itself. It is what it is and without seeing it for yourself, how can you say it does not exist ?

Re the 'Lock Jaw' I agree, it's a myth in any breed :D

I agree fighting in front of the Alpha, means their respect has lessened somewhat. Many households have numerous dogs with no hierarchy problem and all dogs are happy to be equal. However, where you have a house with a few dogs and there is clearly already a hierarchial system in place between themselves, as the Alpha it's your job to sustain that hierarchy for the safety and sanity of the dogs. Many fights break out because the Alpha sends off confusing signals to the pack and they are all confused about where they should be. Hierarchy within the home with a few dogs should not change unless you want it to change or allow it to change. This never happens in wild packs of wolves or dogs, unless an older dog is dying or ill and needs replacing etc. Apart from that Hierarchy doesn't change and Alpha dog and Alpha Bitch remain that way for many years.

I dont mind I will answer any questions that will help. The sibe is 19-20 mos...she'll be two this Dec. She's always been the 'bully' They sleep in the bed with me most of the time But latly they have their dog beds and sleep on the floor next to the bed 9around the area of the bed). Since this has been happening I havent allowd any of them in the bed. The mastiff is a bitch. Righto, your Bitch is at a 'tetchy' age where she will be trying new things because of her hormonal changes (usually at 16 -20 months roughly) She will be 'testing' to see if she can overpower your Mastiff, as she is also a Bitch. The fact that your Mastiff isn't at the top of the 'Dog pack' doesn't matter, all dogs start from the bottom and have to work their way up. She will challenge every so often and see if the Mastiff is willing to move over. If the Mastiff did move over, she would then step in and try challenging the next in the hierarchy. You did the right thing by stepping in. All dogs should be under you at home and it's a good thing they are in your house, but if you like the pack a certain way (i.e the the Mutt, the Mastiff, then the Sibe) then keep things that way. Let her know that her behaviour is not appropriate. You say they were sharing a bone together. Were they sharing or were they both adamant that neither was leaving it first ?(there's a difference). Who had it first ? In this instance I would have taken the bone away from the Sibe and given it to the Mast, or if the Mast had it first, tell the Sibe, she was not allowed to join in. The fact that you were there watching probably deferred a fight for the 'trophy'. It only has to be one little thing, then the sibe has a feather under her cap, her confidence would grow, so she would look for someting else to challenge. I agree, about not letting them in the bed, but then again mine aren't allowed in the bedROOM, that is MY room, and I am Alpha, and I say where they are allowed to sleep, which at best, is outside the door. Just keep an eye on them, when feeding, always feed them in order of hierarchy (Sibe last) etc, and let her know through your actions that her place is at the bottom where she began. I often say let dogs work it out themselves, but not when there is already a happy hierarchy in place and a dog is trying to 'move up'. I hope this is helpful, and I'm sorry for referring to your dogs by breed (I feel so rude), but I don't know their names If you are still having problems and want to ask anything, feel free, I'm happy to help. I've had 6 Mals here before now, and successfully integrated short term fosters etc and holiday dogs, all Mals, and have only had 2 incidents in that time (not nice to experience though ) although that was at the very beginning when I was still learning myself :D let me know how you get on

As long as they are both down now, there should't be a problem. If he had reached a bit older with no sight of number 2, I would be worried, but coming down at different times is quite normal :D

How old is your sibe ? Is she reaching adolesent age ? Where do they all sleep ? Is your Masty a dog or a bitch ? Not being nosey, but it helps if I know these things, sometimes just one thing can be the result :D

Yummy, ours Loooove Rabbit Our neighbour sometimes gets a shed load and once they're checked for Myxi and lead, they are given them, no chopping, no skinning, they eat the lot :D

Bone will only splinter if they are cooked, as they turn brittle. All bones MUST be given RAW, never cooked. I have one that used to literally 'inhale' chicken wings, so they were a no, no for her

So sorry to hear this, I hope she recovers quickly, She'll be fine I'm sure Closed Pyo can be deadly and kill a dog. I've seen a few with Open Pyo which isn't as severe and can be treated with ABs. Spaying before or after......both has it's problems, but I agree with your vet, I've seen many dogs spayed/neutered too early and haven't matured right. it both has ups and downs. I hope she's feeling better soon

I would suggest STOP giving Cod Liver Oil, providing you are only giving LESS than 5ml per week for a Large breed dog. Too much can cause untold damage to bones/structure etc. :p With regard to Wolves, they arent that healthy sometimes, and the reason people like Billinghurst implement so much more into the diet, is so that our dogs are healthier and live longer than your average wolf in the wild

:rolleyes:

Wylie, they both advocate the BARF diet which means 'Biologically Appropriate Raw Food' :rolleyes: Yes Tom only adds oils etc, but if you ever researched into canine nutrition the natural way, ie what wild dogs and wolves eat, you will see that they do in fact eat and NEED a small proportion of veg

I will disagree with you here :rolleyes: Billinghurst and Lonsdale are both BARF which means 'Biologically Appropriate Raw Food'. The only difference between the two is that they differ slightly in theories. Their goals are one and the same. It needs to contain veg, because a dog needs veg. Veg helps with many processes within the dogs body, not just the nutritional side of it. many different wild Dogs and wolves will eat veg, because they know they need to. When eating the carcass of an animal, they will also eat the stomache, which will contain veg matter etc. You cannot have a balanced BARF diet without Veg. You only need very small portions, but neverthless, it is needed.