Hi can anyone help. I have a 6yr old rottie bitch who I got aged 6 mths, she has elbow dysplasia front and back and a 1 yr old boxer bitch who I have had sine a pup. They have been great together until a couple of days ago. The boxer has become aggressive towards the rottie who puts up very little resistance and is now afraid. I don't know what has happened? They have always snuggled up together and this completely out of character. Any advice please.

Could it be related to either of them coming into season or any change of circumstances within your house?

Hiya,

Have there been any changes at home that you can think of recently, even if they might not seem relevant?   I would think by a year your Boxer has probably already had one season depending on the time that she had this she could be experiencing a phantom pregnancy?  Do they both seem well in themselves?  With your rottie having health problems does she seem any worse just now?  Does the boxer have any health problems?  Is she social with dogs generally?  Is she doing it at particular times, like around food/toys/attention, when the rottie goes over to her in her space, during play etc or does it just seem random?  Is she causing any damage or is she just snapping or growling?

Sorry for all the questions but may help give people a bit more of an idea as there are so many things that could be the cause

It is perfectly normal for a girl that is reaching sexual maturity, to challenge an older, weaker female for alpha place.

What would you consider the best course of action? To leave them to it, or try to enforce it by giving one priviledges and if so which one?

It does depend on the extent of the problem.

My eldest Bearded Collie used to be top girl.  I am finding that there are one or two trying to challenge her, now she is getting old, and not so strong.

I am trying to let them get it sorted themselves, and not interfere, but it's not as if there's bloodshed! 

The younger dog seems to be challenging her and putting her in her place. She may be due in season my terrier does this with my older cross when she is due about 5-6weeks before.  I always have to show my dominance over the terrier as at the end of the day I am the BOSS not her.  You have to make sure that your boxer realises that you are the alpha bitch not her.  It is an age thing i'm affraid, but please be careful not to let the older one get too put down as she will keep picking on her.

> I always have to show my dominance over the terrier as at the end of the day I am the BOSS not her. 

I understood this to be a totally outdated way of thinking.  There is no need for us to dominate - they know we're not dogs.  So we can't be the alpha bitch.

Sounds to me like an adolescent just trying her luck. Your Rotti the elder and more sensible (showing her alpha status) is doing the right thing in ignoring her and showing avoidance, she obviously does not see her as a threat and adult dogs do tend to just ignore pushy youngsters unless they go too far.  Don't be worried by noise and snarling as long as it is just noise.

Hopefully your boxer will settle down once she's been ignored enough after trying to square up to your older girl, (a bit like some teenagers with their parents ) or your Rotti will loose it and show her who is boss. One telling off should be enough! If your Rotti really is scared as you suggest (though it is probably just avoidance) then should she show signs of submittance i.e. lying on her back, legs in the air, when your boxer starts to challange or licking the mouth of the boxer you know that the roles are probably due to change.

With your Rotti having elbow dysplasia I would protect her and not allow anything physical the boxer should eventually show respect, but you can enforce that respect too by feeding, grooming, patting the Rotti first.

To be honest I would be calling off your boxer when she starts and say "That's enough!" and distract her, make sure you are the authority figure here.

See how things go, note down the behaviour between the two, if and when anything starts, the body language from both etc, as you will have everything there if you should need a behaviourist, but hopefully it is just a storm in a tea-cup nothing to worry about, just dog talk and a youngster being a pain in the bum, I wouldn't be overly worried at present.

Sorry but I beg to differ, when had 5 terriers, with 3 bitches who hated each other in my home at one time, and I had to be boss and pack leader, they know Im not a dog but they do have to show me respect!!!!  You have to be dominant, you can do this by being kind but firm. 

We have recently had some of this between my youngest (16 months) and eldest (12 years). 

The youngster has deliberately been challenging the oldie and pushing her luck.  I have had to step in as the youngster is now physically stronger.

The youngsters Mum is currently away from home staying with a friend while I have her puppy bitch who is in season, so uppity young lady has tried her luck as her Mum is the a;alpha in waiting and backs the oldie when here.

After dressing her down a few times over this she has settled down again and is being respectful to the old girl again.