Re: Please translate this dog language!

In Reply to: Please translate this dog language!
Category:   Behavior Problems
Posted by:  herta blye
Posted on:  July 28, 2002 at 18:16:52

: 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!

Response:

Hi Herta,

Well so far you seem to be doing everything right :) You know that the real "alphas" in the house are you and your husband.

And you seem to be doing just fine with the two girls. My guess is that Fritzie will end up being the more dominant of the two...you can chalk that up to a terrier's need to be first haha! You are lucky in the fact that you have a Beagle, they are normally a very laid back, happy-go-lucky breed that's willing to let someone else be "in charge." As long as you continue petting Fritzie first there should be no problem with petting Peppi afterwards. Continue the separate feeding, and there's no problem with the mutual waterbowl so that's fine that they're sharing.

I have a friend that has this exact combination except her two are males (neutered). They have been together now for years with absolutely no problems. Her beagle is willing to accept that the JRT is the more dominant of the two and all is well in their household.

My only suggestion is to always keep an eye out for any change in pack status, but it seems that these two have already worked things out.

Thanks again for adopting one of our terriers in need and for being such a good "Mom"!