Alpha male problem? We adopted a 3 year old male dog in December 2007. He is a 75 lb Red Dobie and Chocolate Lab mix. He was neutered when we adopted him. Mondo has been a great dog, great with the kids (young) and highly trainable, basically the best dog you could ask for. Until now he has been the only animal in the house, and he is an inside/outside dog.
Last weeked, May 3, 2008 we rescued our second dog, Brutus, a 90 lb Chocolate Lab mix (maybe mastif). I already had concerns about having two male dogs in the house, and the hormones are not yet out of his system, as he tried to mark his territory in the house a couple times (already broke him of that) and he has tried to hump Mondo and me! I knew that was not good. (Mondo also tried to hump Brutus once.) I did something that someone had suggested to me: I immediately forced Brutus to the ground, not hurting him, but holding him down and putting my body over his as he lay on his side. This would teach him submission, supposedly, that neither Mondo or Brutus were allowed to be the alpha dog, pack leader, but that I was.
My wife and I are concerned about possible competition that could break out between the two with small children around.
I would appreciate any help and advice on how to best deal with the situation. They are both really, really good dogs. |