He's Driving Me Nuts.............help

[LAB_ROTTWILLY]

Hello
Been reading this board for many many months now and have posted a few times. I have a 50/50 animal, he's half Black Lab and half Rott and is a little over 2.5 years old weighing in at 105lbs or so. Both his parents were full bred and have papers so I'll guess we got a pretty good doggy. Anyway, for the last week he has been driving me crazy. He seems very anxious I guess you'd call it. He can't lay/sit down for more than 10 minutes and then he has to get up and wonder around. He'll grunt and whine ever so often as well while he is wondering around the house. Big problem is he is constantly pestering my other dog (60 Pit/Lab Mix) of which is around 7-8 years old. He will NOT leave him alone. There isn't any fighting but he does seem to be posing a challenge to the little one. He'll go over where the little one is laying and puff himself all up, stick his tail straight out and just stare at the little one until he moves. The last two nites have been NO fun at all. The little dog sleeps in the bed with us (doesn't bother me). Well, big dog (Hendy is his name) seems to have a real beef the last week of this. He'll stand at the edge of the bed where the little one is laying and nudge at him trying to get him off the bed. Dunno WHAT is going on but I am on my last nerve
I must state, Hendy still has his "family jewels" but until now it hasn't been a concern. He has had a few cases of acne on his chin when he was growing up as well. Ummmmmm, the acne is back and his attitude/behavior has changed. Wondering if perhaps he's going through another "phase". No real reason for keeping the family jewels other than I feel he'll look odd without them He'll be nose heavy and might flip over frontwards without them. Just needing some input on this behavior change and what some may suggest.

[Shaw_2112]

Any dogs in heat nearby? If hes' getting a "whiff" that may be why he's restless, could even explain him challenging your other dog. Lots of good reasons to neuter your dog, you should seriously consider doing it.

P.S. Good looking boy by the way

[godfreyc]

If you don't put a stop to this bullying behavior you are headed for a fight in which your pit mix will probably be seriously injured. You are suppose to be in charge of your home. Why would you let Hendy stare at you other dog until he moves you are letting him believe he's calling the shots. Don't let him make any demands of your other dog. He can't decide who's on the bed you do. He doesn't decide where anyone lays you do. You need to get it in order now before something happens.

[LAB_ROTTWILLY]

Thanks for the quick replies. I do not let Hendy run my house, I was just simply stating some of the things he is doing around here the last week. All of his actions were and are followed by corrections. I work from home and the dogs are with me 24/7. He definately knows who calls the shots in the house. Have had dogs all of my life and Hendy is one heck of a pal. A quick snap of my fingers and he drops to the floor and freezes. NEVER have I let anything go such as him playing bully with my little dog.
Far as someone being in heat around here, dunno. There is a female Rott across the street but don't know if he is in heat. Not a real easy way to find out but that certainly could be some of the trouble if she IS in heat. Guess we'll see about neutering. At his age he should be done filling out, that was my main concern. Thanks for the replies and thank you Shaw for the kind comment on Hendy I think he's a pretty good looking pup as well.

[poohbearsmom]

Instead of allowing this to "drive you nuts", you really need to decide who's in charge in your household. Sounds to me like Hendy is at the moment. His behavior is rude, and disrespectful... and you've chosen dogs from breeds that tend to be very strong and dominant, it would be wise to make sure you're at the top of the pack hierarchy.

You have been witness to a lot of body language being thrown around your house, and you have not done anything to stop it. This is not a "balls" issue, this is a training issue. This is precisely the kind of stuff that goes on and on and on... and people say, "I had no warning".... well, the warnings are there, you best start reading them LOUD AND CLEAR.

My suggestion would be to find a good obedience class, get your dog into it, and start dealing with these "little" behavior issues before they become BIG behavior issues.

Good luck.

[LAB_ROTTWILLY]

Hello all
Thanks for the replies and helpful info. Last couple of days has been better actually. Yesterday Hendy only bothered my little pup three times! Also, when it was time for bed he went right to sleep, no wondering around and whining. We'll see how the rest of the week and weekend go.

On another note, thanks to all for the kind comments on Hendy and his looks I have a lot of people ask if he is some special breed of Rottweiler when we're out. We go camping a bunch and some campgrounds have certain breeds banned. One of the is Rottweilers and any mix there of. Soooo, I tell them he is a Black Lab that had a horrible screen door accident and lost his tail is another good picture if him showing his Rott heritage. Again, thanks for the help and we'll try to update as he changes his attitude.

[poohbearsmom]

Originally Posted by Shaw_2112

Any dogs in heat nearby? If hes' getting a "whiff" that may be why he's restless, could even explain him challenging your other dog....

Looking at the post again, this very well could be the reason for his behavior. Sorry if I jumped the gun. Please be very aware of your dogs' body language, however... I still stick by my guns in that dept.

[RWMURMANN]

You might see most of the issues go away if you get him fixed. I agree with the other comments that you must be the Alfa however I don’t agree with them telling you to stop the dogs from setting the rest of the pack order. Don’t let your dogs hurt each other but they not you must decide who will be beta.

[godfreyc]

Bullying does not improve. If you allow him to start he will not stop and will increase the reasons for which he does it. First he is mad because the pittie mix is on the bed. If he is not reprimanded then he'll move to other forms example: not allowing the smaller dog to have his own food. It is not ok to let a dog be a bully. You have a responsibility to the pittie to keep him safe. From your other posts I believe you already know this, so please don't let someone else talk you out of doing what's right for all your animals.