Hi Cesar! Let me start off by saying that you are awesome, and are my hero! I have another similar situation (as Katherine's above and the couple in Orlando). Our 8 year old lab-pit mix (neutered male named Biscuit) has lived in our house as the only dog since 2002. He's unsure at times when meeting other dogs in neutral territories and on walks, but manages to get through those meetings without altercations. Last week we brought home a calm, submissive energy terrier mix (boxer and pit bull maybe) female named Pixi from the shelter.

We did everything textbook introducing the dogs in neutral territory first and taking both on a long, long walk before coming into our home. After the first day Biscuit began showing his teeth at Pixi after she began licking his face and crossing underneath his chin. From what I was told this is an act of submission. I'm confused about what the issue is with Biscuit--if it's dominance, or if it's territory, or he just doesn't like the idea of a new dog in his territory? Biscuit is submissive to me as a pack leader, all except that I need to keep correcting him when he shows his teeth. We've been really rigid with the exercise, rules, and boundaries with Biscuit (making sure he's last to leave and enter the house), and are being fair--showing no favortism with Pixi, but regardless he gets anxious and has nipped a few times; mostly when she walks by him after mealtime. We feed them both at the same time (they're both calm submissive when we feed them). Usually Biscuit begins pacing and getting anxious before and after mealtime (which is after a walk or run), and he'll show his teeth at her even when she's not instigating or bringing unwanted behavior into our den (home).

Biscuit, like the German Shepard in the above story, also doesn't like other dogs in his face, but does like it when myself, my wife or kids get in his face to show him affection (when he's calm-submissive). Regardless, I correct Pixi when she gets in his face, and I correct Biscuit when he shows his teeth. When Pixi approaches him he looks away, or gets up and moves. When they're both calm-submissive, laying on the ground on their backs, they'll get closer, but won't snuggle up next to each other like we wish they would. It's not even been 2 months since giving Biscuit the full dose of the Cesar treatment...excercise, discipline, and giving affection last, but I'm looking forward for the day that I won't have to be hawking their every move. Will this ever calm down?

If this is what it means to be the pack leader then I'm OK with it; I just think that Biscuit is only partially convinced of it, or has some territorial issues mixed into his outlook as me being the pack leader, or I'm not the pack leader yet. I took them both to a fenced in baseball diamond and threw a tennis ball around, and there was some growling, and some raised hair at first, but they were able to tire themselves out playing without any fights. Will this type of activity help with them getting along or will it instigate a fight? I don't want to just let them go at it, but I have been offered that advice from our trainer (I don't agree with it). I want them to live together but am separating them at night, and now maybe when they eat. Any advice on what Biscuit is seeing in me and in Pixi, and why he's not accepting towards Pixi? I'd love for you to show up on my doorstep one morning...but if you can't make it, what else can I do to get these beautiful dogs to co-exist? Am I doomed to hawk their every move from now on?

Sincerely with much love,

Brian McComb and family

We have had a lot of changes in our pack this year. We had 2 male older Dachshunds, Rowdy O's - 10 yoa and Oscar - 11 yoa. We introduced a male 5 month old Pug, Max, early in the summer into the pack. We lost one of the Dachshunds in August and found a 2 yoa miniature Dachshund, Zoey, that just fit into the pack. She was helpful to befriend Rowdy O's because Rowdy seemed to take the death of Oscar very hard. Rowdy has been deaf from birth and depends on the other dogs. Rowdy ignores Max because he is a bouncy and plays rough.

November 10th we added an 8 week puppy to the pack named Coal. He is easy going and seems to be a great addition to our household. He is already showing a lot of good learning. He is calm and looks us in the eye during feeding time. He comes when called and sits. He gets a little rough playing with Max and Zoey. We have had to band play from the house because Max gets very excited.

Last Tuesday, I was sitting in one of the chairs with Rowdy on one side and Zoey on the other. She attacked Rowdy and I addressed the attack and let her know it is not an okay behavior. When my husband came home that night, Zoey attacked Rowdy again. Wednesday night, Zoey attacked Rowdy again, and would not let go.

Since this time, we have worked very carefully with all the dogs. We have set limits, increased the exercise, and given praise for a calm pack. Zoey continues to go to level 1 around Rowdy and we correct is right away. This has worked beautifully until today. As soon as I turned my back for a moment today, she attacked Rowdy and would not let go again. Rowdy lost two teeth and is bruised from the bite.

My feeling is Zoey feels intimidated by the other dogs. We often have to calm her down when she plays with the bigger dogs. She has become obsessive with toys, especially with squeaker toys. I have had to work with her on when she can play with them. When we exercise her, she is doing beautifully with the walk, but does not seem to get tired. She has become alert and on the watch for birds, any noise, or movement in the yard or house. She seems to get annoyed when Max jumps on her and she is difficult to get into a calm state and keeping her there. My husband feels she is becoming a Red Zone dog. I don't know what I'm doing wrong!!! HELP Katharine