Aggression?!?!

Batman and Joe only get along part of the time. I am fostering Joe and before that Batman was top dog on the totem pole. Joe is much bigger. But, Batman still pretty much runs things. However, I generally only let them play a few minutes at a time. If I let it go on too long, it turns into a fight over something. I crate one and let the other one spend time with us. It isn't as easy as if all the dogs got along, but it is safer for everyone. Several of my working dog friends never let their multiple dogs socialize with each other.

You may just need to crate one or the other more.

Good luck

I'm no expert, but it sounds like he's getting annoyed with her puppy antics. As we all know, puppies can be quite bothersome (especially to an older dog who doesn't want to play like that).Obviously, I would always watch them and separate them whenever things get too tense. Hopefully, she'll learn not to mess with him, and things will get better.

I agree with Gunner. It really sounds like the puppy is on his last nerve and he is trying to put her in her place. I also agree with Connie. Crate and rotate. I'm sure it will all work out. You did a great job with him and I think this is just an adjustment period for everyone.

Well, I have to admit, I get irritated with other dogs sometimes, especially if there is a ball involved. I will also be mean to Teddy at times, but he's so non-confrontational, it doesn't evolve into a fight. Mama yells at me when I am mean to Teddy. I don't know why we do the things we do, but I don't think he would actually hurt her, but I'm not an expert (obviously). Good job for committing to a foster!

ok, here is what i would do. keep any toys put up when those two are together, even if you are in the room. since she is a puppy, she just doesn't understand the "boundaries", and it's likely she somehow crossed them, it could have been something as simple as a "look", and that did it for him. now, with feeding time. i won't even prepare the dogs food unless either mikey is by himself, or separated already in another room. he has lashed out at jasper like that a time or two, so i don't chance it. jasper is on the other side of the basement door, mike is in the kitchen. (joe is someplace downstairs in "joe land", doing somersaults or something, LOL)so i would put all the dogs in their crates BEFORE you even get started mixing up their food. that and don't let them have toys together. with this breed, a fight can break out faster than you can stop it, even if you are really close by, watching. it's easier to just make some changes in your routine to avoid this happening again. i've had to change up my routine so many times, LOL, they all just go with the flow. hope this helps! P.S. that pup is a cutie!!!! :)

We've had the exact same issues with young Daisy and Charlie! Last night he attacked her and was barely provoked...she just got too close while he was snuggling with Dad. He was severely reprimanded; i.e. I made him sit and stay while we got a leash, then I put the leash on him and walked him outside, where he had to stay for a bit. It was made pretty clear that he is not allowed to have that kind of behavior. However, he has issues with treats and special toys, so I'm sure it could happen again. We parents must always be diligent and watchful, I guess! We're trying to give him special time, so he realizes that we still love him, AND Daisy...He's pretty mopey a lot, since she came along.

Thanks for all the help and advice. We are going to do more of the "crate and rotate" like Taijah suggested and make everyone go to their feeding spot before I even start mixing up the meal like Mikey and Joe do. Hopefully this will put and end to any more squabbles. I was just so shocked by Waylon's behavior. He has always been so docile and submissive. I never imagined this puppy would be more irritating to him than when we had the roomie's dog, Conga, in the house. Of course I also feel so horrible and guilty. I think I am doing such a good job of being watchful but it just goes to show you how fast something can happen and you have to be prepared for anything. Hopefully I will get some hits from Ellie Mae's Petfinder post and we can place her as soon as she is healed from her spay in a few weeks. Until then wish us luck! Thanks again for all your help!

Another thing to remember is to think like the dog if possible and not how you think of your dogs. Dogs love to resource guard. Joe and Batman both see me as the resource of food, shelter and love. They don't understand that I wish they would just lay on the floor side by side and be buds. They want to continually see who is going to be second dog to me. Second dog (in their minds) is going to get more of everything and hence survive. They don't understand I don't think that everyone is going to get the food, water and shelter for as long as they are here.

That's one of the theories an animal behavorialist threw out about Joe Boxer. I saved him and provided food, water and shelter. He didn't have anything so now he has to guard that resource carefully so it won't go away. Hence, if anyone gets close to me, he growls. No one can take away his safety net.

I really love Connie's advice about thinking like a dog. When I am at the end of my rope and things aren't going the way I want them to with training, etc. I stop and remember that I need to be thinking like a dog. Usually it comes pretty automatically (no comments about my intelligence, please) but sometimes I overthink or get easily irritated. Even though Maddie and Sydney have now been together 3 years, there are still times of tension between them, and I try to read their signals WAY ahead of the time when there is any acting out.