Hello Everyone,

I have two dogs, one is a male shepard, golden, chow mix about 8 years old. The other is a female full bred black lab I got from a shelter. She's about 5 years old.

He's a very calm dog, she's very excitable but calming as she gets older.

I first had the shepard who was about 3 years old when I got the lab. She was about six months old when I got her.

The two dogs have always gotten along well. I have read a lot and tried to develop a good pack structure in the house. I live alone so I don't have additional family members to be concerned about.

As the lab grew older, she became the dominant one. An early dog trainer I hired gave me this advice "they will work it out amongst themselves. Once they do, don't interfere." The lab is only so dominant. For example, the lab can take low value items from him such as toys but she doesn't dare take high value items like treats or chews. In the past, she's tried to jump on his back but he draws the line. When she was young, he used to pin her down. At the time, I didn't know I should prevent this behavior.

Now to my question. Over christmas, the lab did something to hurt one of her back legs. Since she's been hurt, the dominance has begun to have subtle changes. Now, he will take the toys and is much more reluctant to drop them. He used to give them up immediately. When they are eating dental chews, he does not get close enough to try and take hers but is looking for any opening to grab a left over. She will bear her teeth once in a while.

The dogs have never had any food issues with each other. I watch them as they eat and never interfere unless the lab is trying to eat the other's food. (weight is also a constant issue, her too heavy, him a little on the light side). They typically walk right past each other while eating and there has never been an issue of any kind.

My question is, is the shift in dominance when one dog is hurt a normal occurance or should I be concerned that something else is developing?

Not exactly what I was trying to convey but your response was helpful none the less. Thank you.

The question " ... should I be concerned that something else is developing?" was answered, I thought. The answer was "Yes. Don't allow it." The person who said to let them work it out gave you bad advice, IMHO.

 Quote: Mike Arnold

... You should be correcting or addressing the issues you described. Why tolerate any dog - dog attitudes? Just as you monitor their eating, monitor the rest of their behavior and don't tolerate any dominance stuff. And if you don't tolerate the dominance issues, there won't be many.

When anything shifts in the health, age or wellbeing of a dog in a multidog household then the dynamics of the social structure in going to shift.It is hardwiring. As the human it is up to you to outline what is or isn't tolerated. No dog should be tested as it eats or enjoys a treat or toy. That is something YOU need to clarify with the other dog.

Story....my bullmastiffs grew up while my border collie grew old. Nan, the BC developed vestibular syndrome and would stumble, stagger, get dizzy and sometimes fall. The Bullmastiff bitch especially keyed on this and at first started attacking the failing old girl. I immediately cut that off and told her to leave it and down. The BMF would settle and watch me as I comforted the old BC who was obviously confused and distressed. Soon we realized that Lunk, the BMF, would trot over in a nonthreatening way to toddering Nan when she seemed unstable. Amazingly a few days into a bad bout of Vestibular Lunk would sidle up next to Nan and brace her up if she seemed about to fall. It was heartwrenching and wonderful to watch these two. They peacefully grew trusting of each other, under our close supervision. As Nan faded and passed on Lunk tried, unsuccessfully to take her place in the pack. But she settled for less than 'dominant' as even though her breed pushed her to it her nature was not secure enough. Her brother 'led'( from a dogs view) the house for a long time after that he was naturally dominant, easy going, confident and totally obedient to any family human. Any family human was and is always in charge and making the decisions. I say family human only because the bullmastiffs especially were always very gentle and accomodating with anyone that a family member okayed. NO ONE outside of the five of us could just walk in the front door however. Not without our okay. And rarely would the BMF obey anyone outside the family without our okay. Just not their nature.

 Quote: connie sutherland

The question " ... should I be concerned that something else is developing?" was answered, I thought. The answer was "Yes. Don't allow it." The person who said to let them work it out gave you bad advice, IMHO.

 Quote: Mike Arnold

... You should be correcting or addressing the issues you described. Why tolerate any dog - dog attitudes? Just as you monitor their eating, monitor the rest of their behavior and don't tolerate any dominance stuff. And if you don't tolerate the dominance issues, there won't be many.

Kinda what I thought, too.

I am 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in command. My dog(s) can have any leadership position in the pack they want so long as it is the last one. Regardless of how many dogs I have.

 Quote: michael_wise

 Quote: connie sutherland

The question " ... should I be concerned that something else is developing?" was answered, I thought. The answer was "Yes. Don't allow it." The person who said to let them work it out gave you bad advice, IMHO.

 Quote: Mike Arnold

... You should be correcting or addressing the issues you described. Why tolerate any dog - dog attitudes? Just as you monitor their eating, monitor the rest of their behavior and don't tolerate any dominance stuff. And if you don't tolerate the dominance issues, there won't be many.

Kinda what I thought, too.

I am 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in command. My dog(s) can have any leadership position in the pack they want so long as it is the last one. Regardless of how many dogs I have.

I like this last bit Michael. Here it has always been that ALL humans are in charge and all dogs are last. AKA They breath my air. With some dogs this is much more important than other dogs. I have several 'easy' dogs right now. Thankfully peaceful.