2 dog households - I have questions

[pup-man]

So.. as you know, we rescued a 10 month Bichon this past weekend. He weights 11lbs. We have our existing dog, an 8 month old Poodle Mix that weights 4lbs.

When they are munching on their bones (both identical), there are times the Bichon feels like taking the Poodles boone from her.... and he walks off with it and chews it in some other place of the house... the Poodle then kind of stares at him with that look of "Hey that's my bone"..... she can never get her bone back as he is a lot stronger and bigger than she is. Is this something I should correct? OR do I let them be dogs? He also does this with toys and stuff..... we just feel bad because she is so easily able to get "punked" by the bigger dog on everything they do.

 

[Roxy's CD]

It's going to happen, the Bichon is obviously ahead of the poodle in the pecking order. Roxy does it to Hades all the time. Since you are the alpha you need to get his bone back for him, when they chew their bones the further they are away from each other the less chance of it happening. I usually scold Roxy too something like, "Roxy! That's not your bone it's Hades bone!" and than I'll take it, give her hers, and give Hades his.

 

[mydogswork]

I never feed my dogs or give them bones together. That is an accident waiting to happen and I beleive it can be the cause of food aggression with some dogs who would not have been this way if it were not for their owners allowing this to happen in the first place.

 

[Doberluv]

I agree with mydogswork. Seperate them so they can both chew on their own bone and then when they're together, give them something of lower value that the one doesn't care about. When my dogs have chew toys (nothing like a super yummy bone) if one takes the toy, I take it and give it back to the first dog who had it. I show them that I'm in charge of the toys, not them. Or I'll remove the toys altogether. I rarely have one dog taking a toy from another. It's more like one will forget about his toy and then the other will take it. I consider that fair game. And so do they. You get to be the one who decides these things.

 

[Zoom]

I would say that the Bichon has (or is trying to) esablished himself as alpha and so far the poodle isn't fighting it. This can change very quickly though.

Honestly though, I've never had a problem with my dogs fighting over bones. They each have their own seperate corners of the yard they go to chew in and toys they will steal back and forth without rancor. If there is any sign of irritation or possessiveness, I'll step in and take the toy away.

 

[oc_spirit]

If they aren''t fighting I wouldn''t worry too much about it. Does the poodle then take the free bone or is the Bichon hoarding? If he''s hoarding then step in and make sure the poodle has a bone.

 

[mamasobuco]

If they aren''t fighting I wouldn''t worry too much about it. Does the poodle then take the free bone or is the Bichon hoarding? If he''s hoarding then step in and make sure the poodle has a bone.

I agree. We have this problem with our boys and I refuse the separate them. I do have to step in and pass out the bones again but the fighting doesn't last very long and once everyone has established whose is whose the fighting is over and the chewing begins.

 

[Keana]

I have 3 and have the same problem. To correct the situation, I just don't give them anything that can't be eaten immediately. They get treats, hand fed to each by me and their food in separate bowls spaced apart. Every once in a while I might get them each a starch bone or a greenie as a special treat, but even that is with supervision.

 

[RedyreRottweilers]

I have 3 adult bitches living here.

I make sure when items are passed out that there is at least enough to go around if not MORE than enough.

I do not correct the alpha for asserting herself over the other 2, I just make sure there is enough for everyone.

They "swap goodies" a lot.

 

[taratippy]

With 6 dogs here any bone or treat giving is supervised to ensure no fights but why oh why is someone elses bone so much better than the one they've got? Chews are the same even when they are identicle, his is better than mine mum I want that one! Doesnt matter how much I explain they are all the same some of them just wont have it and I get the 'you love him/her more than me cuz they've got the best whatever'!