Do any of you folks have small breeds (i.e. Min Pins, Pomeranians, small terriers) with your high-drive working dogs, or do you not even chance it? If so...

How do you maintain pack structure?
Do your little dogs get privileges that the big guys don't (like being on furniture, demanding attention)? Does this upset the pack balance?
Have you ever had a scary incident?

I don't have small dogs, so I'm just curious. Personally I don't know if I could imagine my dogs (two ACD's and a BC) having a small dog as part of their pack, and personally I can't imagine treating a small dog like I treat these guys. A little dog WOULD be all over the furniture, would be demanding attention, would get to sleep in the bed... It would probably be setting him up for a death match, no?

I have a GSD, 2 Catahoulas, a APBT and a Rat Terrier. So yes, it's possible. The GSD and RT live inside the house for the most part. They are both crated at night. Even though the RT is semi-allowed on the furniture there are no other privilages that it gets that my GSD doesn't. It took some careful introducing in the beginning, but my dogs are very well socialized. The RT is from an actual working line of RT's from Texas. He is VERY high drive and in perpetual motion. My GSD is 1/2 working and 1/2 show from Germany and Hungary and has good drive also but I would not consider him to be extremely high drive. My GSD also "works" at home, herding the goats, baying the cats, etc...

I don't let the small dogs have any privileges that the GSD doesn't. I don't think I treat them differently in any way except for dropping off the small guys back at home after half the "power walk" and then finishing it with the GSD.

The biggest factor for me is my pack leadership. Because of the defenselessness of the small ones (bracheocephalic, small teeth, no real biting power), I am even more strict about zero aggression in the pack.

No one is allowed to snarl or growl at anyone else. Mealtimes are supervised 100%. No toys or treats are ever left alone with the dogs.

It can be done.

If I didn't feel confident of my leadership, or if I saw any signs at all that there might be aggression when I turned my back, I would separate them. There will be no dogs living in fear on my watch.

I'm no super-alpha; this takes commitment and training.

I might sound a little preachy, but this seemed like a good chance to say something I believe in with all my heart: Part of my job is to protect my dogs. When I read or hear about a dog being attacked by a housemate, and living with fear of losing his food or his peace, I am enraged at the so-called pack leader who allows this.

So I appreciate your question!

Jennifer,

My 20lb Cocker is currently with 2 GSDs and a Mal. In the past she has lived with Rotties, Akita, and Boxer as well. Never had a problem. As Connie already stated, any aggression is dealt with immediately. The Cocker is more my wifes' dog and was getting special treatment but I now have her crating the dog and minimal furniture action. It can be done.

Howard

I have (euh my wife has) a papillion 3.3 kg worth of dog that lives inside and my mals live outside. They come in regular contact and the little one rules the pack

Greetings

Johan

Johan, nice try just admit the mals are your wifes and the papillion is yours... LOL

Our king Charles thinks at times that he is a GSD, he has a better bite than some GSD I used to own at one time (long time ago)( showline).I think he's learned how to bite from my working line I have now

http://s141.photobucket.com/albums/r77/cadogancna/

We have three GSDS, a Weim and three little ones. We don't treat any of them any differently, only the crate size varies! No problems. When they are allowed to play together, they play very nicely, with no aggression and none would be tolerated. Usually they are out in various small groups at a time. Any time the whole pack is together, my husband and I are there, too, so there is no mistake about who is in charge. Frankly, if any one of my dogs stood to be in line for "alpha", it would be my 7 pound Malti-poo!

Becky, 6 dogs! WOW
I can see my King charles thinking that our female GSD is his and his alone.I guess he doesn't know that the other males GSD are intact for good,and he is getting neutered next month

I have two working line GSDs, although both are "pets" who live with our family's Cairn Terrier, Daisy, (or Terrorist would be more appropriate!) It's been a little difficult introducing my GSD pup, now almost 9 months old, to Daisy...but following Ed's methods worked great for us. They are now allowed a bit of supervised time together out of crates...otherwise they do sleep together in the same room, crated, and can see eachother through the babygate. My older GSD came after Daisy, but did assume the leadership role with no fights or anything like that...Maintaining a strict routine and fair, but assertive leadership role helps a great deal!

WOW! I did not think there was so much success with little ones and higher drive dogs! Good for you all!

It's an idea I might visit in the future, but only when the Australian Devil... Er, Australian CATTLE Dog pup is all grown up.