Dominance struggle??

[Ann]

I have a one year old female GSD. She really is such a sweet girl, shes hesitant around other dogs even since socializing with other dogs since 3 months. She will bark at dogs when she is on our yard or in our house, but not when we go on walks?? I'm assume thats the protection in her.

She's lived with our Chihuahua since she was 3 months. She is now 1 year and the boy Chihuahua is 4 years old. The Chihuahua is VERY dominant and aggressive. He's bitten my husband several times. Hes really grumpy one minute and loving the next.

My GSD Boston has occasionally been found lying next to her bowl watching him steal her food. Of course when I see it I make him leave. She just recently started barking at him LOUDLY when he comes near her food. (She never eats it when I give it to her, just wants to taunt him I guess??)

So barking at him stealing her food ok, I get it. I could reach down and put my head in it and she won't do anything to me or anyone else. The chihuahua also throw fits and will aggressively bark and show his teeth at us. She just recently started chasing after him and barking at him when he is barking at us.

He grows and shows his teeth, and Boston (my GSD) just today growled and showed her teeth back to him. (I think it was over a bone.)

They will get over it in like 2 minutes and be fine with each other. Is this a struggle with dominance? Is Boston finally showing our chihuahua shes not going to take his... I guess my question is, should I stop them? Should I let it go? They don't seem to hurt each other. I just don't want this to be a behavior that leads to something bad for her since she is such a sweet girl.

(Side note, I'm totally at a loss for the Chihuahua, and his behavior, but thats a different story)

[PaddyD]

Your GSD seems to be 'growing a pair' (even though she's female). Keep an eye on them and see if they sort it out.
One other thing.
Why do people with small dogs allow them to act belligerently? Just because they are small? I don't get it.

[Ann]

Yes, I agree. I married into to the Chihuahua, his habits were en-grained at that point. I don't know how to handle him. I try and try, but I think I'm going to have look into professional help. Maybe our GSD will put him in his place.

[BR870]

Would you allow you're GSD to behave that way?

I have very little tolerance for little dog syndrome. If a big dog had bitten someone several times it would likely be put down. I don't see why little dogs are given a pass. The behavior is simply unacceptable.

Keep that little monster in check, or your GSD will end up doing it once it matures...

[BR870]

Originally Posted by Ann

Yes, I agree. I married into to the Chihuahua, his habits were en-grained at that point. I don't know how to handle him. I try and try, but I think I'm going to have look into professional help. Maybe our GSD will put him in his place.

No behavior is so engrained that a hammer, a bag, and a tank of water can't cure it...

kidding...

[Ann]

I know, again I agree. I don't think this behavior is acceptable. I feel like I took the responsibility to train and go to classes with my dog, so I guess now that he's my "step-son" and my husband seems to think his behavior is just the Chihuahua personality. I need to seek help for the dog on my own. Wish me luck, this should be interesting.

[JeanKBBMMMAAN]

This will not end well. The little dog does not deserve to suffer and perhaps even die if your female decides she's had it - it's not his fault that he uses these behaviors, and it would also not be fair to your dog to have had "killed the other dog" in your SO's mind when he looks at her.

Get them both in some training if they aren't already. Lots of things for you to read like MINE! by Jean Donaldson and just read up on resource guarding in general.

Do not allow either to have high value items around each other until they are able to deal with it.

Do not allow them to settle it themselves - it would be like saying Vern Troyer and Shaquille O'Neal should be allowed to have it out and that the more dominant one will win. Vern MAY be the naturally more dominant of those two guys, but it won't matter because he will not be around to dominate.

[JeanKBBMMMAAN]

Originally Posted by BR870

No behavior is so engrained that a hammer, a bag, and a tank of water can't cure it...

kidding...

I think in order for it to be kidding, it has to be funny. That was not funny at all.

[Ann]

Haha never thought of it that way. I agree, bones just won't be allowed around each other anymore. This Chihuahua is 15 lbs and my GSD has never even bitten him, but I agree it doesn't need to come to that for the issue to be solved.

[BR870]

Originally Posted by Ann

I know, again I agree. I don't think this behavior is acceptable. I feel like I took the responsibility to train and go to classes with my dog, so I guess now that he's my "step-son" and my husband seems to think his behavior is just the Chihuahua personality. I need to seek help for the dog on my own. Wish me luck, this should be interesting.

Generally that is the "Chihuahuah personality", which is why I don't understand why anyone would want such a little beast.

These might help some

Small Dog Syndrome

Small Dog Syndrome - Small Dogs vs. Medium and Large Dogs

Small Dog Syndrome - How to Stop a Small Dog Behaving Badly