snappr
Member
Hi,
Our 100lbs male Corso/AMB mix at 8 months (Tank) decided he isn't taking crap from our 15lbs female poodle / Lhasa Apso mix anymore. We knew this would come at some point because the Lhasa-poo is very bossy with him when she thinks we aren't looking. Last night he pinned he very calmly and she didn't take it too well. It all started when we told her to get off the couch twice and she thought she'd try again and he actually grabbed her by the collar and yanked her off. Every time she went near the couch after that he would pin her.
We have been working with her to curve the dominate behavior mostly for her safety with him. But should we let him work this out or should we continue to intervene? Last night I wanted to see what Tank would do with her, and in my opinion he didn't appear to be aggressive with her, it was almost like he was correcting her.. strange?
Also, he licks her like a mom would like her pup, I don't mean the face licking thing, I mean he gives her a tong bath if we would allow it.
I'm just looking for advise on how to read this behavior so we do the right things here.
Thanks!
Our 100lbs male Corso/AMB mix at 8 months (Tank) decided he isn't taking crap from our 15lbs female poodle / Lhasa Apso mix anymore. We knew this would come at some point because the Lhasa-poo is very bossy with him when she thinks we aren't looking. Last night he pinned he very calmly and she didn't take it too well. It all started when we told her to get off the couch twice and she thought she'd try again and he actually grabbed her by the collar and yanked her off. Every time she went near the couch after that he would pin her.
We have been working with her to curve the dominate behavior mostly for her safety with him. But should we let him work this out or should we continue to intervene? Last night I wanted to see what Tank would do with her, and in my opinion he didn't appear to be aggressive with her, it was almost like he was correcting her.. strange?
Also, he licks her like a mom would like her pup, I don't mean the face licking thing, I mean he gives her a tong bath if we would allow it.
I'm just looking for advise on how to read this behavior so we do the right things here.
Thanks!
Snappr, over many years I have had both male and females living in the same house without many issues. I will say that 100% of the time, and I do not know why, the females always ended up being the dominant ones! However, it seems like your male wants to take this role, and because of his size and personality he may very well end up being the dominant one. One time, I had 3 dogs...2 boxers (1 male 1 female) who were about 4 years old, and a rottie pup who was only about 1 year. Most of the time the female ruled them both!! But, my male boxer, who was extremely attached to me decided he needed to teach the rotti to follow whatever I said. The rotti would chase the cats every chance he got, with me constantly correcting him...one day it seemed my male boxer had had enough...I watched from the balcony one morning as Oso started to chase one of the cats down in the field when out of the blue my male boxer came out of nowhere and body slammed him...telling him "Mom said don't chase the damn cats...knock it off" (and by this time the rottie was as big as the boxer, and they were both still intact). After that it seemed like the boxer always was ready to "nip it in the bud" when the rotti disobeyed something I had laid down as a rule. Funny to watch! But, other than that behavior with the male boxer, my females always ruled! I agree with what Deb said....unless there is blood, let them work it out between themselves 