My wife and I have a 10 month old male GSD and just got a 3 year old female GSD. They seemed to get along great all weekend until the female would get tired of playing and would snap at the males ears. However, today the female is really cranky with the male and keeps snapping at him. His ears are starting to get a little sore. Also, she keeps wanting whatever toy he is playing with. He usually takes it all in stride but there have been a couple of times where he has gotten nasty back. I've never introduced an older dog into a house with an existing pup before and my wife is starting to get upset with the situation. Is this a dominance or aggression problem with the new female or is it something that will subside with time?

Thanks!

I have 3 GSDs & as Ed says, this is basically one too many. However, we got the third when one of my GSD was 12 years old so she is pretty easy to deal with at this time. However, I do now allow any signs of agression between any of the 3. They must understand this is a basic rule that never changes. All my dogs realize they must get along. We enforce this as the golden rule plus when we are gone, we crate the new dog just to avoid any problems. I would not allow the dogs to get too far out of line & it sounds like you may have to enforce this law with the new addition.

Patricia

I pretty much agree with what Ed says as over the years that I have owned GSD everything on his web page has been true. I am considering buying a new GSD and probably this time from Ed.

My current GSD is a 3 year old male very confident and dominant. He gets along with other dogs and with other dogs that we watch when people go out but he is always "Alpha" and lets that dog know it. Even when someone watches him while I go away, he lets that dog know he is "Alpha".

He is well trianed and my Dog Club keeps pushing me to put him in an obience trial. I just work so much that going to the trials is almost impossible but I love training. He did some tracking and search & rescue but we let that slide because of the lack of time I could devote. My dog loved it I just could not find the time to train.

My 14 year son really wants to train a dog but I know that I will end up with the job. I can see some jealsously and problems between my current dog and the new dog. For example my dog was so jealous that when I help trian another dog he will walk behind me or on the opposite of heal and do the commands.

My dog thinks that I am life. I know if I get one of Ed's males that there may be a big fight over "Alpha" and Ed's Dogs have a great reputation that I think my current dog will be de-throned. I really do not want to kill his spirit and drive.

We had a female GSD that we lost during surgrey trying to remove a huge tumor from her spine. Her tempermete was much better so I think I am leaning on buying a female. Any suggestions or tips. I read and actually printed Ed's page on buying a new dog which discuss the difference between a male or female. After reading that section, I am convinced that I should buy a female.

I would like any comments where someone had a very dominant male and brought a new puppy in the home. If this was possible or if there were a lot of problems.

I would appreciate any input or comments.

TSH

Hi there
I have six dogs of my own and regular visits from my boyfriends dogs and some of my friends. In my "pack" there are the following - one male (unneutered, soon will be, abandoned dog, about six or seven) Female cross GSD and who knows what, Male Border Collie, Female Border C, Cross little black thing and new baby , Cross GSD Border. All others exect new pup ( too young still) are sterilised. I firmly beleive that helps with aggression. A Whole Lot!
I have a No fighting rule when all the dogs are together and watch them all the time. When I cant be around I seperate them into sections of my garden. I am lucky that I have a huge garden ( over 2 acres)Once you own more than two dogs, you will have fighting of some sort and need to be responsible enough to provide a safe place for ALL the dogs and enough space, time etc.
My BC and BC crosses are pretty placid though, and often run with many other dogs, and are not fighters, but some of my other dogs are.