Tucker & Benn E. Issues

[LJS1993]

Well guys lately Tucker has been having major issues with Benn E.. This all began about two weeks ago when during their usual run Benn E. was being especially obnoxious towards Tucker. Benn E.'s obnoxious has to do with his continual "boxing" with his paws and a very loud growl. In turn Tucker bore his teeth and began to go after Benn E. when I yelled "Hey" and Tucker immediately stopped. Since that day whenever Benn E. gets a little obnoxious Tucker bares his teeth and even started to go after Benn on one occasion. Benn doesn't even seem to notice the severity of the issue and just continues his behaviors. My guess is Benn is older now, bigger, stronger, and doesn't seem to realize that his once accepted behaviors are now being seeing as a threat to an overly sensitive Tucker. We are doing a lot of training with both dogs, putting them in submissive postures, walking them on lead together, keeping them socialized with each other so hopefully this issue can work out. Any input from those of you with packs would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[only-borders]

What is the age difference between Tucker and BennE? How long was Tucker in the house, due to injury? Is BennE just wanting to play and Tucker not wanting any of it?

[Country Girl]

We have always had this problem when a pup 'comes of age' so to speak. What was cute and fluffy a few months ago is now down right annoying. For the most part, so long as it doesn't turn aggressive we let them sort it out amongst themselves. Although stepping in does need to done at some points, such as Maggie and my moms dog Nikitia. Nikitia hates puppies to begin with, Kitty is nearly 10 and is in her moody old folks stage and what she used to tolerate, she no longer does. Maggie gets up in Nikitia's face, licking her and just being annoying and Nikitia will posture and bare her teeth, growling and going on. Maggie gets yelled at to settle down, and then removed from the situation which calms everyone after a little bit. We have let Nikitia sort it out herself, but Maggie takes a lickin' and keeps on ticking. Now, that being said, Maggie doesn't see Nikitia super often and doesn't live with Nikitia full time, as she wasn't like this when they were living together. I personally make Benn E and Tucker do fun, relaxing things together, and also have them work together if possible. Team work in itself may soothe touched nerves, especially if they have to rely on eachother.

[LJS1993]

only-borders Wrote:What is the age difference between Tucker and BennE? How long was Tucker in the house, due to injury? Is BennE just wanting to play and Tucker not wanting any of it?

Well my wife is the person who remembers their ages down to the month. However I believe they are 6 months apart. Tucker was never away from the others for more then half a day. Benn E. just wants to play, however, Tucker has a real problem with Benn E's "boxing" style of play. You know I've noticed things about Benn that are really interesting. First off I believe he's part bully breed due to his hind quarters, overall power, and facial features. Plus his play style is so much different then our pure BC's. They have no issues on lead however.

[Tassle]

LJS1993 Wrote:Well guys lately Tucker has been having major issues with Benn E.. This all began about two weeks ago when during their usual run Benn E. was being especially obnoxious towards Tucker. Benn E.'s obnoxious has to do with his continual "boxing" with his paws and a very loud growl. In turn Tucker bore his teeth and began to go after Benn E. when I yelled "Hey" and Tucker immediately stopped. Since that day whenever Benn E. gets a little obnoxious Tucker bares his teeth and even started to go after Benn on one occasion. Benn doesn't even seem to notice the severity of the issue and just continues his behaviors. My guess is Benn is older now, bigger, stronger, and doesn't seem to realize that his once accepted behaviors are now being seeing as a threat to an overly sensitive Tucker. We are doing a lot of training with both dogs, putting them in submissive postures, walking them on lead together, keeping them socialized with each other so hopefully this issue can work out. Any input from those of you with packs would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Meaning what precisely?

I am not a fan of interfering or trying to place on above or below another - can really mess with the dogs and make them more stressed.

Training wise I would be working on Self control exercises, only allowing limited play etc.

[LadyDaniela]

He is correct, about 6 mos. BennE turned 2 this past Christmas Day, Tucker turned two this past June 23. BennE is just real in-your-face-all-the-time and the borders are getting sick of it. (it's much like adults teaching a pup to behave around 6 mos.) I'm not just being mean when I say he's delayed....he really DOES have brain damage. He doesn't speak dog...he doesn't know how to use his play growl (he's WAY over the top with it...and very loud) and when they ignore him he'll keep bumping into them to entice play...which they HATE

I'm just worried that Tucker will take out his other eye. BennE isn't being intentionally aggressive..he's just big and heavy and loud and Tucker seems to be 'over it,'

[dhobbit]

I hope you can get things worked out with the two of them. I would be no help because my two would usually get along and if there were any problems I would just tell them to knock it off. Good luck!

[Michelle]

Poor BennE. He sounds kind of like Aspen whose almost 5. All our other dogs are younger (3, 2, & 15 months). While Aspen almost never initiates play on his own when the other dogs get going he likes to join in in his odd fashion. He doesn't seem to know how to play, either--and he's full BC. He growls and barks really REALLY loud (we taught him to play w/a toy in his mouth so he'd be more quiet but unfortunately he just learned to bark louder with the toy and now he won't play w/o one) all the while 'pecking' at the other dogs (yeah, like a chicken). It's a constant growly, loud barky, pecking game he plays right in other dogs' faces. Consequently they don't like to play with him even when he wants to play. We want him to be able to have some fun with other dogs, though, so we watch everyone carefully and when the other dogs seem to be getting really sick of it we call Aspen off. He always looks confused then, but I'd rather that than one of them take his face off someday.

[LJS1993]

Tassle Wrote:

LJS1993 Wrote:Well guys lately Tucker has been having major issues with Benn E.. This all began about two weeks ago when during their usual run Benn E. was being especially obnoxious towards Tucker. Benn E.'s obnoxious has to do with his continual "boxing" with his paws and a very loud growl. In turn Tucker bore his teeth and began to go after Benn E. when I yelled "Hey" and Tucker immediately stopped. Since that day whenever Benn E. gets a little obnoxious Tucker bares his teeth and even started to go after Benn on one occasion. Benn doesn't even seem to notice the severity of the issue and just continues his behaviors. My guess is Benn is older now, bigger, stronger, and doesn't seem to realize that his once accepted behaviors are now being seeing as a threat to an overly sensitive Tucker. We are doing a lot of training with both dogs, putting them in submissive postures, walking them on lead together, keeping them socialized with each other so hopefully this issue can work out. Any input from those of you with packs would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Meaning what precisely?

I am not a fan of interfering or trying to place on above or below another - can really mess with the dogs and make them more stressed.

Training wise I would be working on Self control exercises, only allowing limited play etc.

Meaning we put them in down/stay position, no aggressive body language, etc..... We're only going to allow limited play and keep them socializing with each other because the bottom line is they're going to learn to get along.

[Brandon M]

Do you tell BennE to quit when he's behaving that way? I had a similar problem with Lance and Mick when Lance would get annoyed with him. And Mick was just playing but as soon as I would tell Mick anything in a stern voice Lance would jump on him. They eventually worked it out on their own. Mick is a pretty submissive dog even being bigger than Lance. I would separate them when they got into it but no yelling and compounding the situation. Mick never fought back. And I think the boxing is a submissive thing as well. Mick does that to initiate play with Lance when Lance seems to be in a bad mood.

[LJS1993]

Brandon M Wrote:Do you tell BennE to quit when he's behaving that way? I had a similar problem with Lance and Mick when Lance would get annoyed with him. And Mick was just playing but as soon as I would tell Mick anything in a stern voice Lance would jump on him. They eventually worked it out on their own. Mick is a pretty submissive dog even being bigger than Lance. I would separate them when they got into it but no yelling and compounding the situation. Mick never fought back. And I think the boxing is a submissive thing as well. Mick does that to initiate play with Lance when Lance seems to be in a bad mood.

Yes I try not to get overly excited so I don't make the situation worse. I tell him in a firm voice "Benn E. no...." and he's been stopping lately. I really don't think there would be a legit fight with these guys. However we've always had a very stable pack of dogs and want to keep it that way.

[Brandon M]

LJS1993 Wrote:

Brandon M Wrote:Do you tell BennE to quit when he's behaving that way? I had a similar problem with Lance and Mick when Lance would get annoyed with him. And Mick was just playing but as soon as I would tell Mick anything in a stern voice Lance would jump on him. They eventually worked it out on their own. Mick is a pretty submissive dog even being bigger than Lance. I would separate them when they got into it but no yelling and compounding the situation. Mick never fought back. And I think the boxing is a submissive thing as well. Mick does that to initiate play with Lance when Lance seems to be in a bad mood.

Yes I try not to get overly excited so I don't make the situation worse. I tell him in a firm voice "Benn E. no...." and he's been stopping lately. I really don't think there would be a legit fight with these guys. However we've always had a very stable pack of dogs and want to keep it that way.

Yeah with Lance and Mick there was never any blood or anything. But If I told Mick 'no' at all, Lance saw that as a disciplinary term and thought he should be the enforcer. I started telling Mick to sit instead which kinda distracted them both.