Hiya, as some of you probably know I have a male staff who is now nearly 6 months old, and he has a playmate at work who is a male 14 month dalmation. They are very good budies and are not happy when the other is not in the office, however they are now getting to the stage where they are trying to sort out which dog is dominant..I hate to watch it, although they are not biting into each other skins they are on their hind legs and working out the pecking order...anyone got any suggestions on how we make this quick and as apinless as possible??

Hi,
I think I would leave them to sort out between them who is dominant but be on hand with a water pistol if things look like they might turn nasty. I wouldn't try to pull them apart in case they accidently bite you. When you're sure who's the dominant one treat them accordingly e.g. greeting and giving treats etc. to the top dog first and making the other wait his turn, to back up their pecking order.

Kath.

thanks Kath! I appreciate the advice

Ooooh - I would be very careful here. Male dallies can be very nasty with other dogs (note, i say "can" not "are"). Some are extremely dog dominant, and your male staffie might tolerate it at the moment, but he's not going to always be pushed around. I'd be very careful about letting them get on with it....

That is very interesting to know about the Dalmation, as common belief (even his owner thinks the same) that all Dalmations are soppy and will not be confrontational or try to be the dominant dog, however when watching them play the Dalmation always flips obby (my Staff) onto his back and puts his mouth around Bobby's.

Most dalmatians, both males and females, are generally very good with puppies. Once that puppy starts growing up, however, it can be a different story, especially if they aren't together full-time. Two young males together can be problematical!

The dal holding Bobby's muzzle is a typical dominant gesture - it's what a bitch will do to discipline her pups. All the while Bobby submits to this there should be no trouble. When he starts getting his testosterone surging, however, things could get decidedly dodgy, so you need to keep an eye on what is happening.
:)

Hi Chloe, :)
I wasn't suggesting they are just left to get on with it by themselves. Just to let them decide themselves who's dominant, not decide for them.

Kath.

Hi Kath

My point is that I wouldn't let them sort it out between them at all... it could end up in a massive fight when neither backs down. Dallies can be very very dog dominant, and will stand over other dogs and physically put them down, not to mention the occasional nip to put them in their place - the staffie will only put up with it for so long and then all hell will break loose. Of course, this is worse case scenario, and they could work it out - but I wouldn't risk it.

My ex allowed my old dally to play with his freinds dogs, my dog got bolshy and got nipped badly on the ear by an older male - after that, he was always first in and was a total nightmare with otehr dogs. It completely ruined him.

Chloe :)

Then I gracefully bow to your greater wisdom. :D

Thanks Chloe. :)

Kath.

hi

i'll put my money on the staff!

jackie i wouldnt be so sure-there was an idiot owned a dali years back that attacked any dog it saw, its owners where the sort that thought it clever . it went for mine when i had hubbys springer and a mature rottie out, i saw it coming and leashed the dogs, telling him to get his back, he didnt and the dali flew straight in, i had to drop the rotts leash as it was making it worse hanging on, from that day the dali attacked every rott it saw on sight. a friend was visiting family and had just put her rott in the boot of her car when the dali came around the corner, it flew into the car after the rott, --each time it came off worst, but it gave it a good go-the dog was a dam liability, even the old folk that took there old dogs down the river got attacked by this dog---thankfully its now dead---and no a rott didnt do it :rolleyes:

Hang on a minute here, Folks. :) I've just read all the posts again and realise I'm the only one who's offered some advice (whether right or wrong - form your own opinion! :D ) Scare stories wont sort the problem so get your thinking caps on and say what you think the right course of action is. :)

Then we'll take bets. ;)

Kath.

i did---i made it clear that a dali isnt a push over!!!! - therefore letting them get on with it might not be such a good idea, -if it where mine then id give up trying to have them as mates, not everyone likes each other, so why should dogs, -theyre two fairly dominant [with dogs] breeds, and stubborn, so id give it up as a bad job-theyll cope without each other just fine :D

I agree with Dizzy - my advice was to not let them get on with it aswell. I can't think of a way to allow them to play together as friends, because the dally won't play as such, he will just keep trying to dominate the staff. Shame, but far better to find them a nice bitch each to play with ;)

PS - I wouldn't count on the staff coming out of any scuffle unscathed.

Hi Kath - I also pointed out that the situation should be carefully monitored because once the Staff decides he won't be put upon, there is likely to be trouble.

Hi Dizzy, Chloe and Jg, :)

I'm sorry, I didn't put that very tactfully, did I?

I just mean't no-one had made it clear what should be done on a practical level. You were saying "don't let them just get on with it" and "monitor the situation" but I think if I was in this situation I wouldn't really know what that mean't or what I *should* be doing.

No offence meant. :)

Kath.

But that's the problem in a nutshell, Kath! At the moment there isn't a particular problem. And if they are watched and any developing situation reacted to correctly, there may well never be a problem. The staffi may never try to challenge the "big boy", in which case in all probability they will be chums forever.

But if any 'unacceptable' challenge is issued, it will be dealt with in no uncertain terms, probably resulting in a degree of bloodshed - and once that has happened, they can never be trusted together again, because certainly the dal will never forget it. :(

The knack in this sort of situation is to prevent that occurring, which means always watching the dogs and monitoring their behaviours.
:)

Well, I would tend to think there is already a problem, hence the original post, but that it's not too late to nip in the bud. They are already challenging each other, what I'm saying is how *do* you react correctly to the developing situation. I gave my thoughts i.e. water pistol if looks like turning nasty (meaning *before* they turn nasty!), though Dizzy and Chloe suggest parting them.

Kath. :)

If it looks like turning nasty I would instantly call both to me, so that I could praise them for their obedience in coming to me. I wouldn't use anything to distract them that would make physical contact - if a scrap is about to start, the first physical contact is likely to set it off, so in this case a waterpistol would be a bad idea. A sudden loud noise (blast from a referee's whistle etc) may do the trick.

It is important that they are unable to connect the distraction with the other dog.
:)

Thanks, that's the sort of practical advice I was meaning. :) I see what you mean about my water pistol idea. I hadn't thought about the possibilty that a physical distraction could provoke attack. This is why it's helpful to have a good debate and hear all sides. It's not always just the first poster that learns something!

Kath.

i have a 2yr old staff who offten goes to play with her sister who my mum and dad own,they are always fighting for dominance,mollie [mums dog] is smaller than saffie but gives her a good run for her money,mollie hangs onto saffies collar and drags her round until saff has enough and it all starts again,i still don't think they've worked out whos top dog,theres been a few scuffles a few nicks here and there and bent metal studs in their collars but we just leave them to it.but i would warn you if the dalmation gets nasty don't expect your stafford to be nice as we thought ours was a softy but when they get to 6m there just discovering who they are.If he feels threatend he will bite back.They are the most fantastic breed very lovable and don't you find that alot of people have the wrong perseption of the breed!

Hello Peeps!

I thought I would sit back and watch the stories evolve, and I am pleased to get some good advice out of it! ;-) I have to admit some of the stories were giving me horrible visions of what will to happen,. but having read all the posts I can see that it is a likely, or might happen and how best to deal with it. On the point about the Dali, this is quite true; Bobby is very playful (well he is a puppy and that's what they do!) but sometimes, and especially this week, I have been having a play with Bobby, whilst Sam (the Dali) is asleep, and Sam just comes running across and grabs Bobby round the next and pulls him away from me, then when I tell Sam NO, he goes to bite me...never actually bites as he is very good that way with humans, but it does seem that he is jealous of any attention Bobby gets, even if Sam is happily snoozing and wakes to see whats happening. At this stage Bobby is most of the time backing down, however I have seen that when he is hurt he very rarely cries (unless it is bad) he normally bites back, which then begins the playing, but Sam seems to take it a little to far sometimes, yet other times he just lies down and can't be bothered with it all. I have noticed that Sam will normally with the dominance when there are more than a couple of people about.

Thanks again, any more hints will be useful! ;-)

Hi Bobbysmum,
I get the impression that Sam is jealous too. Could you just repeat that last sentence as it didn't seem to make sense and sounds like it's an important point. :)

Thanks :)
Kath.

Hi Kath
After reading my last sentence...I can see how a missed a few important words in order for it to make sense! oops!

Basically, Sam seems to be most dominant when there are more people around, and this is often the time that Sam will choose to lie right by me, where Bobby normally as his 40 winks...I think he is doing this (and I maybe wrong) to wind up Bobby.

Don't get me wrong, they are good chums, but sometimes it can get a bit too much and the playing can go a bit beyond a play; I would love to know what goes through their heads!
Thanks
:-)

Sam sounds very typical - they are very demanding of attention, and get very jealous if another dog is made a fuss of! Mine will do anything to draw attention away from others and towards themselves - pushing in between, annoying the other dog in some way ...... seems to be a breed trait!

Bess is just the same. A few weeks ago, I was looking after my brothers 6m Lab puppy and every time Asha tried to do *anything* Bess was there first. She's like that with her best doggy friend too, fine if we're out in the woods but not at home (ours or my friends!) If they visit I put all her toys and her water bowl away till they've gone, otherwise it's chaos. :D

I'd like another dog sometime (i.e. when hubby agrees) but not sure if it will do her good or make her worse.

Kath.