Anyone who has two dogs or has been around two dog for more than five minutes can totally understand how one dog usually likes to have the upper hand on the other one.
TeddyHilton.com reader, Anna wrote in with a question about her two wiener dogs:
Hey Perez I need help with my two 1 year old dachshunds (Kiwi & Yogi), we got Kiwi as a baby and Yogi at 5 mths old …. Kiwi's the calm and snuggly one and Yogi is just on a Lindsay Lohan level.
He's always jumping on Kiwi and head butting her whenever she's trying to do her business. I get Yogi lots of exercise but all he wants to do is bully Kiwi around especially if she trying to lay with me.. what should I do?
Please help!!!
Anna Ebersberger
Dr. Patrick Mahaney responded:
Anna,
Thanks bunches for your question. It sounds as though you have some frisky wieners on your hands (figuratively, not literally).
I am pleased to hear that you report both dogs getting plenty of exercise. I often say (as a generalization), "a tired dog is a well behaved dog". Although, it sounds as though Kiwi needs some discipline.
Especially as dogs mature from puppyhood into adults, we need to continue to enforce good behaviors and dissuade those less than desirable. At times when Kiwi and Yogi are rough housing excessively, I'd physically separate them, make them both sit (or lay down)/stay, then say "release" and provide a food treat and verbal reward.
Give Yogi her space to urinate/defecate separate from Kiwi (while Kiwi does a sit/stay nearby) so that she does not have to endure his bossiness. Keep them both on leash/harness the entire time so that you can appropriately direct their behavior.
If you are unable to get this behavior to subside, the ask your veterinarian for a referral to a local private or group trainer.
Good luck,
Dr PM
Have any pet questions? Tweet them to Dr. Patrick HERE!! OR Check him out on facebook!
Tags: bully, dachshund, dog, dr patrick mahaney, q and a, wiener dog
__iphone_290.jpg)
