Looking at a 4 month old pup who lives with another 2 year old dog.  The owner is trying to rehome because the pup wants to be the Alpha male (top dog) which is causing problems.  This seems to be only over food - the 2 year old is not allowed to eat and is not retaliating in any way - they play happily otherwise.  The 2 year old will not even eat when the pup is barking when put outside. 

We don't have another dog - would there be any implications from this behaviour in taking the pup on?  We have a 6 & 10 year old but the pup also comes from a home with no problems with children.

I suspect that the pup is just being a brat because it can, not that it actually has dominance problems.  sounds like the problem is more with the older dog who hasn't the confidence to stick up for itself.

If your own dogs are friendly well adjusted dog, but won't take any nonsense then the new pup will have a rude awakening but be the better for it.

Scrap that I thought you had two dogs of 6 and 10.

This pup will need to be taught appropriate behaviour as it has learnt that it was allowed to call the tune.

How experienced are you with dogs?

I agree with Brainless at 4 months he's just a typical pup pushing his luck, nothing to do with being an Alpha Male!

Not hugely but have read a fair bit about them and can see the training route that probably would be required.

Then if you feel confident that you can not only rear and train a pup, but undo the poor start this pup has had regarding this aspect then go ahead.  At four months no pup is set on World domination, no more than a human toddler at any rate :D

If you do take the pup on and experience any problems, just remember that advice such as taking the food bowl away etc isn't given any more, mainly because it rarely if ever worked and often caused more problems and increased aggression. It's best to work on general obedience and getting the dog being relaxed with anyone around the food bowl...;)

I suspect this will be limited to the dog/dog thing though.

Lindsay
x

I saw this advert, and all I could think was that the owner must know absolutely nothing about dogs, 4 month old pups are not trying to be Alpha male!!   Pups play, they play roughly, and agressively with each other, an older dog will generally know this and either give a warning growl when it has had enough or just tolerate the youngsters play. It is nothing to do with trying to be Alpha male.  These people are not giving the pup a chance.

If you take the pup on, remember that pups have extremely sharp teeth and claws, they play by tugging, dragging and biting all perfectly normal behaviour, and will choose a child to play with as they are small too, all this behaviour changes with maturity, and you will have a lovely dog in a few months time, please go on the Internet and read up about 'bite inhibitions', it will help an awful lot with puppy training especially where children are concerned and I hope you will give this pup a lifelong happy home.

P.S. Just remembered Jeangenie had a link to a puppy bite doc, click on her name and see if you can find it, it will be invaluable with you being a newbie owner.

What did you think about the price?  They seem to suggest it isn't biting as a pup as far as children are concerned and doesn't chew furniture only toys.  I'll look up the link later.

Personally I think the price is a bit steep, although the colour is not common, I know a breeder who recently had this colour (may even be one of her pups if you wish you can pm me the pedigree, I will check that out for you) and sold them for £150 cheaper than this pup is advertised for.  In my opinion I would make an offer, as the pup will need re-training and re-socialising due to a new home, not good for a pup. This pup is not coming from the breeder and will be going onto a second home which warrents a lesser price. First homes should not try to re-coup what they have spent out on a pup, it does not work that way. The most important thing is a good, loving home.

All stud dogs should come from good stock, unless it is a very recent champion winner or the son of a recent winner, then the price is not warrented just by having champs in the line, that should come with all good pups anyway.

It is a lovely pup, but IMO if you are really interested I would haggle the price.

Well we went with it and have had him for a week now - lovely chocolate and tan cocker spaniel. very docile and well behaved.  Have only had accidents first two days.  Children think he's great.  Settled in really well and Vet is very happy with him too.  Thanks for all your help and advice.

Aw bless, he sounds adorable :)   Glad it's working out for you!  Thanks for the update.

regards, Teri

He is a beautiful looking dog, the temperament of these dogs is second to none they are wonderful with other dogs and children, they really do make wonderful pets, they are very nippy dogs whilst young so watch the children though and I wish you many years of happiness, he is going to be extremely handsome when fully grown.

I don't think you can guarantee that ANY 4 month old pup won't bite kids or chew furniture GM :D 

It sounds to me like the original owners are simply fed up of the pup  :rolleyes:, they probably didn't realise how much work a pup can be. A lot of adult dogs will let pups eat first, certainly mine do, it's nothing to do with dominance. None of my adults would dare go near 'top dogs' food dish, yet the pup can just shove in beside him and he'll move away (I feed the pup outisde now to stop this). Same with bones, toys etc. I think it's normal pack behaviour so I wouldn't worry on that point.

I've taken on older puppies in the past, there are pros and cons. On the down side you may have to re educate him on some things, if he's been allowed to get away with things you don't want him to do. On the positive side he's hopefully almost house trained, he'll have had his jags so can go straight out for socialising. What breed is the pup?

We rehomed our dog at 5 months with various problems, one of which was trying to demand food from us, maybe because he was not fed properly, but as soon as he realised he wasn't going to get the food by his method it stopped. He hadn't had any training or socialisation though.