dominance question

[scoop70]

Hello,

I was just wondering if, you know how I probably will be getting a Rott in about a month or so. and,right now, I have a Black Lab. Big for the breed,101 pounds. Well, when we get a Rott, he will most likely be quite a bit larger. And,the question is,the fact in mind that the rott will probably be bigger, will the rott know that he's bigger and assume that he's the dominant male, even know that the Lab is? (we ae going to get the Rott fixed, the Lab already is) And a big part of the question is: Is it possible to have the smaller dog assume the "dominant role" in the household? Probably yes because the rott will be a pup when we bring him in, but I really don't know, because, I have studies a few books carefully about the rott's behavior, but I do not really have first-hand experiance, since I have never had one.Is it possible to have the smaller dog assume the "dominant role" in the household?

[Burnsway]

Is it possible to have the smaller dog assume the
"dominant role" in the household?

You bet it is...First of all Im the dominant one in our house hold and with you haveing a lab and a rottie soon...YOU BETTER TAKE THAT SPOT...lol. If you take it then they are relieved of it. But as far as whos gonna be dominat in the doggie sence? First is my 16 year old chow/eskamoe mix. Then my 12 yr old pomeranian. Then The 50 pound 5 month old rottie who is bigger then both. One of my best friends has a poodle that dominates the 9 year old rottie....lol....kinda funny to watch....

Size has nothing to do with the dominance issue in my opinion.... :D

[Karen J. Reece]

Definitely! My 7lb 12 year old Siamese cat is #1 in our household followed by my 11 year eskie and then my 13 month old rottie. The cat rules both the dogs.

[Karyn]

The 13" Beagle here - Although the rottie does let her know when enough is enough. She is so vocal that I think he gives into her to shut her up which just makes her that much more spoiled.

[his_servant5]

Yep, my 7 pound peekapoo rules over my three rotts. Too funny.