Please translate this dog language!

Our two girls have settled in now - Beagle 2 yr and our just rescued JR 5 yr - get along well. As I'm still not sure who's alpha (except me and husband of course)please tell me what it means: When I pet Beagle first and then let her go, JR will immediately make a dash for her and pester her - not nastily, but she will growl a little and pull her ears and "hump" her. When I pet JR in my lap, everything is OK with beagle, she quietly waits her turn. JR, after I fuss with her, seems happy and will slink off side-by-side with beagle. Now I try to pet them at the same time - JR watches every move I make, beagle just sits there happily. When home alone, Beagle is in her own fenced off area and JR has run of house and all is well. Beagle sleeps at night in her own area, JR is in our bedroom on her own pillow on floor. I do trust them together on the deck outside, they mostly "wrestle" for our benefit when we're watching! JR often will roll onto her back with beagle towering her and mouthing her, then it's the other way around, confusing! We never had 2 dogs at the same time so are we handling this situation right? I'm trying now to cuddle JR first - but should I let JR see me petting beagle? We love them both a lot and Fritzie, the little JR, is cuddlier than Peppi the beagle who gets tired of cuddling after a while. JR never gets enough! They do drink together at the same time from the same bowl but get fed in different locations and there never is a conflict over food. JR sometimes even waits for beagle to drink first. Well, I'm so careful to have them accept/love each other, are we doing it right or can you suggest some tips? We have no idea where JR came from, her background etc. but she's obedient and fully trained. Was physically neglected (teeth, skinny, etc.)but not abused,for some time before we adopted her. Thank you, I love my girls and I enjoy this forum!

• Re: Please translate this dog language! Jul 28 (0)