(Female) Dominance Behavior

[Lewis Moon]

Rosie, our new foster is a very sweet pooch, but in the exuberance of her first night with us, she started mounting our 13 month old neutered male. I've read that this behavior could be anything from play to a serious issue that only experts should deal with.

When it occurred, I quickly stopped it and grumped at Rose. She seemed "chastened" but I worry it might be a part of a set of behaviors that include resource guarding (which she does a little). Cerb is very submissive and can be pretty easily cowed.

 

Rose might be at our house a while and I really don’t want her turning Cerb into a beta that just slinks around on the periphery. I want Rose to know she is loved and has a place, but the “Mean Girl” thing won’t fly in our house.

[Root Beer]

One thing that I've learned from having a whole slew of dogs in my house is that when a new dog comes into the picture, things change for the dog, or dogs, who have been there. It can't be helped. Sometimes the changes are changes that we like to see and sometimes they are changes we wish would not happen.

 

I am not saying that any dog should be allowed to come in an harass another dog. In the circumstance that you describe, I would try simply redirecting both dogs when the humping breaks out. I wouldn't make a big deal out of it. I might call them both over to me, cue a sit (helping the newbie if need be), reward, and then release them. It may be that simply breaking off the momentum of what is going on between them would be enough to end it. If redirecting did not do the job, I would move to separating them whenever it happens. Rosie could be put into a room or crate to have a chance to "cool down" whenever that happens. Just some alternate approaches that have worked for me in similar situations.

 

As far as Cerb feeling cowed by her, it might happen sometimes. I'm seeing this with Dean now with Tessa. He has been the center of the (doggie) universe around here since we adopted him and now she's coming in and bossing him a bit. He is actually taking it very well and he'll be fine. There is nothing the least dangerous going on between them. They will sort their relationship out.

 

While I don't go in for dominance theory, it is the case that, like people, some dogs have stronger personalities than others. And if that's the case, then there really isn't anything one can do about it. Sure, you can train and manage behavior, but if Rose has a stronger personality than Cerb and Cerb defers to her, that really is just the way it is.

 

One thing that I would do in this situation is to make sure that the dog who was there first gets a good bit of quality one on one time with me until the initial adjustment period is over. Maybe an extra walk or training session on a regular basis. I have noticed that when a new dog comes in and one of the current dogs gets a special individual outing, he or she very evidently appreciates it especially.