My family and I got a Pug/Boston Terrier mix(Bug) and then 3 months later when got an English Bulldog. Well our Lucy (the BUG) keeps trying to show the pecking order in the house by humping Brutus' (the Bulldog) head. They will play then it will go into a fight. Lucy is 5 months and Brutus is 8 weeks. Any suggestion?
I have a little bully a Yorkie (spoiled) and he humps a pillow, however our jack russell female maybe once a month will hump the yorkie because she is fed up with his bully act and spoiled rotten soul! It only lasts two minutes at most and the yorkie behaves for about a week. LOL
The dog will continue this behavior until you train it not to. The dominant dog needs an alpha leader (you) and you need the pack (the two dogs) to be on equal terms. This is done through discipline with the dog exhibiting the dominant wanna-be. What works? For me, the dominant one gets a slight squeeze behind the ear (either side where the fatty skin is) and led down so the side of its head is on the ground. Done correctly the dog will not whimper or whine, squeal or snap, it will understand that the alpha leader does not like humping in the ranks. IF you think this correction is too harsh, remember, the dog is not getting hurt with this and it truly recognizes that you are putting it in a subordinate or submissive position because you do not want that behavior. Provided you do not pinch the fur and merely have the palm holding behind the ear and only holding the dog down (not done so swiftly you are hitting the dog or hitting it against the floor...just hold it there a few seconds, good eye contact, and a NO), the animal will respond quickly to this. Really, it will understand that humping for dominance leads to submission by the alpha leader, it will learn. Then the punishment will be only verbal and after a few other situations, it will go away. Exercise, exercise, exercise the animal will help with any built up energy. Try it, it works and both dogs will soon be responding better to the alpha leader.
I expect Brutus will take care of things as he gets older, but technically, Lucy, as the "older" dog in the family, is correct in her pecking order. It is usual I think for the dog that was first in the family to subordinate any dogs that come after, and that is what she is displaying. It is natural Alpha-Beta behavior, and may be difficult for you to break w/o resulting in some bad behavior in other ways from Lucy. I would allow the dominance to occur to the point of more aggressive behavior, i.e., the fight. That is when the true Alpha - you - should step in and show them both who is boss. If you don't maintain control, you will eventually have problems w/both dogs, I would imagine. Good Luck!
The puppy isn't being aggressive, its just what dogs do. Their mentality is pack, and Lucy wants to be above Brutus. However if you want to remind them that your the pack leader interfer with the pups. When they start getting aggressive when they play tell them "NO" and seperate them. This way they both learn that your incharge and that they are on the same level. Also BE CONSISTANT. If there is more than one person in your household make sure that they all do the same thing that you are. If not the pups will get confused. Consistancy is the best way to fix this little problem... Just make sure they know your incharge. A simple "NO" and Seperation should do the trick.
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