Hi Loraine
Having less experience of owning more than one dog than you I'm unable to help I'm afraid. It is a fascinating subject though, I spend ages watching Jimmy and Misty interact trying to detect the nuances of their gestures to each other.
I was wondering if most people try and encourage or develop a "top dog" from the start or only invovle themselves in this if a problem arises ? It's human nature to try to be even handed but it seems this isn't necessarily the best course of action with dogs. :?: Does anyone know of a book that deals with this topic, that helps give some insight into their behaviour towards one another ?
When I got Misty my initial thoughts were that she would be top dog but at the moment she seems to defer to Jimmy, it is early days though as he does have the advantage of size. I haven't had any real problems yet, other than the stealing of toys etc which is probably normal. That is usually sorted out with a growl or a bark from Jimmy, although he is usually the perpetrator, but Misty has learnt to give in rather than bark and growl back like she did at first. She is more confident than him and is the first through doors and to food etc and she does seem to test him out now and again through games, when playing tug of war she refuses to give in until the bitter end, almost teasing him. I do wonder that she's biding her time and might attempt a "coup" at some stage, maybe when she's bigger, this is the way females seem to operate..... they like to be in charge.
Is it likely that she will win out eventually ? From everything I've read the bitch usually ends up on top in the canine world, hence the problems that can arise from owning two or more of them, is this the case ? I've heard that males will have a brief fight with each other to establish rank, but bitches can fight to the death if need be. :shock: Owning one of each would seem to be more straight forward, at the moment I just keep an eye on things without really stepping in.....but, like Loraine, I'm wary of giving out the wrong signals.
It certainly is a minefield.