shekhina Posted December 19, 2007 Share Posted December 19, 2007 Kovu is the bottom of the pack in this house. Since moving (almost 2 weeks ago) I have noticed a change in Jaida's behaviour towards him. Relationships between Daegon and the other dogs haven't changed, just between Jaida and Kovu. From what I can tell Daegon is the Alpha, then Jaida and Kovu is definitely at the bottom of the pack. When I let Kovu into the yard Jaida will wait at the gate for him to enter and rush at him and growl, getting in around his head. Doesn't hurt him at all and doesn't actually grab at him, but just rushes him. Kovu always lowers his head and he never tries anything on. Today while they were playing out the back Kovu tried to get something off Daegon (which very rarely happens anymore), Daegon told him off. It appeared that Jaida saw that as her 'cue' to get stuck into Kovu. Everything was fine until Jaida started, Daegon had told Kovu off, Kovu backed off and Daegon took possession of what they were after. I think Jaida coming in the middle of things perhaps confused Daegon and he started again, while poor Kovu was just trying to get out of it all? I'm really not sure, but from the outside and not really knowing, this is what it looked like at least. I have noticed that Jaida gets very egged on by noise and excitement from the other dogs and this is when she seems to get over excited and snappy, at all other times she is a very calm, relaxed and soft dog. When she's excited she has a very hard mouth and Kovu ended up with a very small puncture from her tooth above his eye. He's absolutely fine and isn't concerned about it at all, I have spray to put on it for him I'm not sure what to do about Jaida. I'm not at all concerned about the goings on between Kovu and Daegon, they haven't changed since Daegon was less than 12 months old and they work very well together. No concerns between Jaida and Daegon at all either, they don't even look sideways at each other, never had any kind of problem there. I am concerned about what is going on between Kovu and Jaida recently though and would like to get some idea of the best way to deal with it. I have no idea whether she is showing signs of stress from moving perhaps, or whether there is something else changing the dynamics that I haven't picked up on. Any ideas? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheree_e4 Posted December 19, 2007 Share Posted December 19, 2007 Does this normally happen while your around or while they are by themselves (obiviously watching from inside)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shekhina Posted December 19, 2007 Author Share Posted December 19, 2007 I have only seen it when I'm around, but I am not always watching them when they can't see me. Usually if I'm not outside and all the dogs are outside Jaida sleeps...in the dirt mind you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vickie Posted December 19, 2007 Share Posted December 19, 2007 I'm no expert & can't see them but from your description it doesn't sound like much to worry about & I'd just leave them be, unless things got bad. My lot carry on like this sometimes, I just let them work it out & they do. We have the occasional puncture from play or from a similar situation as you describe, but they don't fight & nothing has changed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheree_e4 Posted December 19, 2007 Share Posted December 19, 2007 shekhina I have PM you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted December 19, 2007 Share Posted December 19, 2007 Moving to a new home environment can often unsettle established heirarchy order. The very important thing is to ensure that YOUR leadership to all dogs can and is recognised. Sometimes it is better to 'tweak' our leadership activities where they can be 'tweaked' - even when before this wasn't necessary - and allow things to settle back, rather than to wait to see if there is likely to be a heirarchy shift amongst our canine companions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shekhina Posted December 19, 2007 Author Share Posted December 19, 2007 I'm no expert & can't see them but from your description it doesn't sound like much to worry about & I'd just leave them be, unless things got bad.My lot carry on like this sometimes, I just let them work it out & they do. We have the occasional puncture from play or from a similar situation as you describe, but they don't fight & nothing has changed. I don't think that it's something I should accept. I don't think it was play from Jaida, it looked like dominance. Never in play have the boys hurt each other, and she punctures him. That doesn't seem right to me, perhaps I'm wrong, but I don't want any of them hurting each other. Kovu was submitting to both dogs and Jaida continued. I have always been told that is not OK. shekhina I have PM you. Thank you, will have a read in a minute Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shekhina Posted December 19, 2007 Author Share Posted December 19, 2007 Moving to a new home environment can often unsettle established heirarchy order. The very important thing is to ensure that YOUR leadership to all dogs can and is recognised. Sometimes it is better to 'tweak' our leadership activities where they can be 'tweaked' - even when before this wasn't necessary - and allow things to settle back, rather than to wait to see if there is likely to be a heirarchy shift amongst our canine companions. Can you please explain what you mean by this? Do you mean extra reinforcement with all dogs of my leadership where I may have relaxed in some places over time (which admittedly I do)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted December 19, 2007 Share Posted December 19, 2007 (edited) Do you mean extra reinforcement with all dogs of my leadership where I may have relaxed in some places over time (which admittedly I do)? Yes Shekhina EVERYTHING on YOUR terms. Very clearly so. And give the dogs a job so they can EARN what they receive. You can be as strict and all encompassing with your leadership activities as you see fit and necessary, as you will know your dogs more than I. Edited December 19, 2007 by Erny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shekhina Posted December 19, 2007 Author Share Posted December 19, 2007 Thank you for that I will get tough again and see how they all go. Poor Kovu, he's always the one who cops it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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