Is it ok if rott growls at other dog?

[Jada]

I have a 11 week old rott and a 5 month old boxer, I always try and make sure that I buy 2 of everything.

2 Food Dishes
2 Water Bowls
2 Toys
2 Bones
etc etc

But every now and then one out the pair of 2's will be missing. For Example the boxer may have been chewing her bone last on the couch and now she sees my rotti chewing a bone and I guess she doesnt realize that Its not hers. When she attempts to take the bone away the little 15lb rottie growls and occasionally snaps at the boxer. I always correct the behavior with a firm "NO" and then I remove the object and then give it back. Neither of them has ever shown this possiveness towards me or my fiancee and I am wondering is this a trait that can be dealt with or are these 2 girls possibly searching for the leader of their pack and simply tying establish dominance. So far it seems clear that the boxer is the leader based on when they play, the Boxer usualy is on top with the rotti on her back. I read in "Rottweilers for Dummies" that this a way that dominence is displayed through play. But I have a feeling that the rottie is just simply over powered by the heavier, older stronger dog and when they size is closer the tale of the tape may be different.

Sorry i got a little of subject But I am really just wanting to know is it normal for 2 puppies to show posseiveness of objects towards each other and it is ok to allow them to do that or should it be nipped in the bud every time.

[delila]

My dogs do this too, and I let them.

However - I am allowed to take anything out of their mouths without any problems (no growling, no nothing).

I try to let the dogs settle these things for themselves. Although if there is potential for someone to get hurt - that will not be tolerated.

Example: We adopted a new puppy 3 weeks ago. I buy everything in 4's because I have 4 dogs. The puppy will approach one of the other dogs while they have their bone - and the big dog will growl until the puppy leaves. This is okay with me. They do not snap - but they do growl.

The puppy will also do this if she is approached when she has a bone/toy/whatever. And in turn I allow her to growl. I take this as "Back off - I am chewing my bone".

I will repeat though - I AM ALPHA and I CAN take whatever I please out of their mouths whenever I please. But they are dogs and have there ways of communication - I count this as one of them.

[rottmommie]

beleive it or not i think my dog realizes he gets in trouble for being possesive, so when I give him a bone he goes to his hiding spot (crate) where he can enjoy it in peace. I never trained him to do this, i just will not allow the growling and fighting, so he does what he thinks he must in order to avoid correction, I guess.
I dont allow my dogs to fight over things.....if they do, they both LOSE whatever they had!

[KATS]

I agree with Rottmommie. I take my lead from how mom's react to human kids fighting over a toy. If the dogs can't play nice with the toy (bone or whatever), then it gets taken away from both of them.

You'd be amazed at how quickly they learned that they both lose out if they growl and act nasty.

[CDN]

I personally think dog on dog it's ok. They will figure out who gets what.
My male will collect everything, just so my female has nothing. Othertimes my male will not be bothered with the toys that she has.

The bottom line is that as long as you can do anything with their toys, and any other human for that matter, were good.

I would say it's a hiarchy thing, but at the end of the day if you do not want the behavior, i'm sure you know how do curb it.

CDN

[myandromeda]

I think you'll get a lot of different opinions...

I asked my trainer the same thing. She said to let them deal with it on their own, as long as it doesn't seem like it's going to turn into an all out brawl...