Am I reading too much into this or are dogs capable of manipulating to this extent.

It is difficult to say without actually looking at the dogs and the situation.

the lab is always 2 to 3 seconds ahead almost like she knows what is about to happen.

Yeah, there is usually something that triggers the conflict behavior and our dogs are very good at observing body language and surrounding context. Dogs most often come into conflict over resources, so I make sure that my dogs don’t steal from each other – not just over food but also over space, affection, attention, etc.

My dogs are most likely to come into conflict during meal times and during play. Both my Sibes are very food focused, so that is a very valued resource. As for play time, everyone is in a more excited state, so it is more likely for things to escalate into something more than play.

I try to observe them closely, and look for things that will trigger dominance behavior. Then I make sure to supervise during those circumstances, and prevent conflicts before they occur. If I am a bit late, I will still go to resolve things in a consistent manner. In this way, my dogs learn that I will always be there to take care of things, so they just need to wait for me.

One of my Sibes is a three legged dog, so I am very sensitive to any kind of bullying behavior.

Here is more on what I do during meal time and play time-
http://shibashake.com/dog/second-dog-introducing-a-second-dog

Hi and thanks. Yes my setter is submissive and sneaky. Any time he wants to be in charge of my husband’s dog all he has to do is make helpless puppy noises and no questions asked my lab is there to deal with the presumed bully.

Am I reading too much into this or are dogs capable of manipulating to this extent. Also it is hard to predict when hoover will do the whimper thing. We try to maintain control but the lab is always 2 to 3 seconds ahead almost like she knows what is about to happen.

Any advice in dealing with this dynamic is most welcome thanks again

Hello Julie,

From what you say, it sounds like your Setter is the most submissive of the three dogs. However, dominance is often a fluid thing, and very dependent on not just temperament but surrounding context.

What works best for me is to set-up consistent interaction rules among my dogs, and for me to supervise and resolve conflicts. In that way, the dogs get to relax with each other, and things never escalate into aggression.

On the other side, Reptar sees Mike as the protector. If Mike is out of town on business, after a day or so, Reptar realizes he’s not home so he feels the needs to step up. He sleeps at the door or always facing the door, coming back into the room i’m in to check on me and is on a much higher alert. He feels that he has to sleep in Mike’s position on the bed and assume his role in the house. If someone comes over that he does not know when Mike is away, Reptar is very rude to our guest. He barks and is constantly at my side. When he’s not full barking at the guest, he’s making little barking noises under his breath.

Very interesting post!

Dogs don’t deserve to be locked up all the time. It’s sad. People don’t see it as sad; they only see it as ‘that dog is mean’ or ‘those owners are bad’. God forbid it’s a “pitbull-type” dog, because then they’ll probably report it. But if it’s a lab or golden no one does anything.

Lupin would rather get behind me and let me handle a dominating stray than to confront it himself, because he knows I can handle them.

I wish people would walk their dogs. Some of the charging dogs in my neighborhood are both scary and sad. There was this Lab-mix that charged right up to me one time, snarling, with crazy eyes, and saliva flying. Can’t say I was able to remain calm and assertive 🙂

Lupin would rather get behind me and let me handle a dominating stray than to confront it himself, because he knows I can handle them.

Lupin does tend to be a bit dominating around his girly friends; bigger guys, though, are a different story.

That is interesting. My silly Shiba just lets the girls use him as a chew toy. I think he gets along better with females, and the less dominating males.