I don't allow him to get away with murder because he's small. I do not use physical correction on him because he is small. I have been doing all I can to put him in his place without actually physically doing so. I've consulted two behaviorists (one who actually used the word "dominant" in describing him after seeing him, when the day before she gave me a huge lecture on how dominance and pack theory is a crock) about his attitude and have taken their suggestions, but I'm really not seeing a difference in the boys' tudes towards one another. Their attitudes towards me are much improved, but they still dislike one another. I have tried conditioning them to ignore each other, but that backfired on me . . . I've tried super-duper hardcore NILIF, but that still didn't change them squabbling with one another.
The dogs don't like each other. I try my best to keep them focused on me and keep their little doggie egos in check, but conditions arent always perfect and neither am I. I am sure that by protecting Ripley, I am giving him this invincibility complex, but if I were to simply let Dakota have at him, I know he'd get hurt and it would be horrible of me to put him in that situation.
Elegy, the suggestion of social isolation is a great idea. I've tried it before, but unfortunately I live with my parents. My mother is wild about Ripley and she can't go a day without giving him attention. With 3 humans in a 40' RV, it's not easy to have everybody completely ignore the dog.
Believe me, I've done as much as I possibly can to make these dogs live peacefully together. For the most part, they are okay, but it takes so much effort to get non-reactive coexistance . . . It takes a lot out of them, and it gets me thoroughly burned out on playing the peacemaker. I love both of my dogs dearly but I can't take 10-15 years of hostility. I could keep them separated for their entire lives, but that's just continuing to cut their daily time with me in half. If it's absolutely necessary I will do it, but I know that both of them would rather be with me as much as possible and I'd like to have them be able to. I guess I'm leaning towards rehoming Ripley because I don't think he will ever really "fit". I'll always have at least one other dog, and he's continually proving that he will not peacefully share his living quarters with other dogs.
I really do appreciate everyone's thoughts. Boot camp begins tomorrow. I'm actually going to try Cesar Milan's method of exercising the dog into a "calm-submissive" state of mind. I got Rip a long line and am going to run/swim/work him until he is too tired to pick fights. I usually walk him a couple miles per day, but obviously that isn't enough as he's still incredibly hyperactive.
Thanks.