[prive005]

Hello All,
I am a new member and a proud new owner of a german shepard puppy. I rescued the puppy after it was left at a park abandoned. I noticed on a website a puppy up for adoption and upon talking to the people who had been taking care of it, a neighbor of theirs had left it tied to a pole in a park with a note on it. It lived with them for about a week, but due to the fact that they had a full grown gsd and a huskie, they couldnt keep it. I am a college student who works part time, but all my free time is spent with my dog. My 4 other roommates have adopted the same training disciplines im instilling for my dog, and help me when im not at home. However, im not sure if an issue has arisen or not. One of my roommates owns a pit bull mix that is very well trained and obedient. Originally his dog was a rescue as well and was not good with other dogs. The two dogs get along just fine and play ALL THE TIME. They are both food agressive towards other dogs but not people, so i feed them seperately. Everything else between the dogs is done together, sleep walk, etc. They are both females so I was interested to see who would take the Alpha status, and as of yet there is no clear winner.
Sorry for the long intro but the weird thing is, my gs puppy who is a female tries to 'mount' the female pit bull. Is this a submission thing? Ive had dogs all my life but never seen this before. Should I be concerned or will this behaivor stop as my gs grows up?

 

[jypsykoda]

Yes that is dominance behavior. When we lost our first shepherd our little beagle decided she was the new boss of the house, and started doing it to our three cats. She still does, she tried to do it to the kids too, but we didn't allow that, she cant be over them in the pack, and she stopped. Then when we got our new puppy she started again, she has done it to Koda, but he is starting to not allow it. She has tried it on her friend Teddy, a 150lb St Bernard! Picture that! But he sat on her. Thats what Koda does now too, to prevent it. Any change in the pack, or even rearranging the living room, will trigger it for jypsy. I saw somewhere once that in multiple dog households sometimes the humans give mixed signals to the dogs about who is who, by trying to be fair, and giving treats to both dogs in turn, letting them both sleep on the bed, little stuff like that, feeding one first, then the other first, stuff like that. You have to pick who is the boss and consistantly reinforce it I think. Like always feed one first, always give one treats first ect. I'm no expert though on all the specifics of how to do that. Theres lots of people here though that know alot about maintaining pecking order in the pack, theres lots of posts about it. Iv'e learned lots already!

 

[Cameo]

I believe that the humping is a dominance thing. Others will clarify or not whether they believe that I am right.

I would ensure that both dogs are taught obedience - especially "down" and "leave it" and "enough" so that when they do happen to play too rough that you have the control to stop or correct the behaviour. If one dog needs correcting then correct that dog........but I have come to understand that you don't separate the dogs.

When my two start to play too rough I put them both in a down for a period of time in the same room - this shows them that I am the alpha - not them. I personally would practive NILF with them both as well so that they know that I am alpha and that they look to me for decisions and corrections and don't take that onto themselves.
My two are female and male and I understand that often two females may not get along - but I think if both dogs understand that you are the pack leader that it could work. Watch their fur while playing.........is it just the shoulder hackles that are up? That is likely just excitement..........if the fur all along the back goes up..........that is fear or aggression. Good luck. I am sure others will pop in here and add to this or correct where I they feel that I am wrong.

 

[prive005]

Thanks for your imput, what is NILF?, also it is understood that I am the alpha and they both listen to me.

 

[prive005]

nevermind, Nothing in Life is Free, i found it on google, i will start that tonight