Hi,

We have two CKCS, Harvey - 18 month old neutered male and Alfie - 22 week old puppy. They usually get along so well, Harvey is very gentle towards Alfie and the little fella does use his manners with Harvey. Tonight, Alfie was happily chewing a toy on the rug when Harvey came steaming in and really growled at him - Alfie was startled and went all submissive and then Harvey took the chew. I let it go because Alfie happily got another toy and Harvey settled with the one that he snatched. A while later Harvey did this again to get another toy off Alfie but I distracted Harvey and he came up on the sofa with me - I went to cuddle him and he really growled at me, turning to my face and then jumped off and did the same to Alfie and took the toy. With this I gave Harvey a firm 'NO' and sent him to his bed - he obeyed and I left him for 10 minutes time out. When he came back in the lounge Alfie was playing with a big teddy (almost as big as him) he was running around with it shaking it etc...now they often both play tug of war with this, play growling and stuff but Harvey got hold and then really snarled and told Alfie off  and again Alfie went all submissive and Harvey trotted of with the teddy all proud, tail in the air - again, I sent Harvey to bed and he's still there sulking.....he keeps peering over the top of his bed giving me filthy looks I understand that they will still be sorting out their pecking orders but this really seemed like bullying and I didn't like it and I was really upset by the way Harvey snarled at me - something he has never done before and didn't think he was capable of doing  :-(

Any ideas how to handle this?

Hayley

I would remove all toys then let them have a toy each supervised to begin with, then remove them again until the next time . Refrain from letting them play tug I never allow this game as I find it works the dogs up into a frenzy and this can cause problems.
I also only would give chews supervised or in their respective crates .
Maybe Harvey snarled at you if you startled him because he probably thought you were the puppy .

My puppy is 7m she is pushing her luck at the moment always wanting the toy one of the other dogs has she is getting away with it at the moment as they just let her have them and get something else but the minute it begins to cause problems I will take them away which I have done before with a new addition, gradually you can give them back the toys - but on your terms.

Dont Worry

Roni

In answer to your question a bit of both. :-)

Harvey is being a little grumpy boots isn't he? I'd let the growl go this time, your time out will hopefully have put him straight, and I tend to agree with starryeyes that it was not meant.

It generally is the pup stealing the toys and the adult left looking perplexed and in acceptance. Harvey has obviously decided to assert himself more and show his younger male family member just who is boss. I would partly leave them to it, you can as suggested remove the toys if it gets too nasty, or just keep Harvey occupied with some cuddles or one to one play whilst the pup is playing with something. If they have chews then give them in seperate areas for now to avoid any problems.

I'd say it's out right bullying nothing to do with Alpha, an alpha is quietly confident of his of her position and doesn't need to use aggression to get their own way.  I'd do what you did and give him time out if he starts bullying the pup in a way that is aggressive, there are certain times when just to take a back seat and let them sort it out, but I wouldn't tolerate bullying as it can become a pattern.  I wouldn't take stuff of him physically I would ask him to 'leave' whatever he has stolen from the pup as if he's feeling a bit grumpy and defensive the last thing you want is him to take it out on your hands.  Every dog is capable of growling and snarling it's just a way of them expressing themselves as we shout or get grumpy, as we all do :-)  Don't take it personally, it doesn't mean he's a bad dog at all, he might be feeling a bit insecure at the moment - (the opposite of Alpha) and behaving this way because of it.  It's not appropriate behaviour and he needs to learn he can't have his way by bullying or being grumpy so time out is ideal, make sure you're consistent with it.  Also maybe try and spend some time with him on his own away from pup if you're not already doing that, playing ball or doing the things he loves without annoying little brother tagging along :-)

Karen