Dog behaviour question

We now have two dogs in the house. Tigger is a mature girl and Zac is a couple of years younger and a neutered male.

Zac has a tendancy to sit where he gets trodden on or to stand up half way through you stepping over him and when that happens he will yelp. Tigger then leaps up and beats him up.

I wonder if it is because she thinks we have been bitten by Zac and is trying to protect us. She is a very loving dog towards the humans in her life and normally plays quite happily with Zac.

We are now trying to be very careful not to step on him but occassionally it does happen. It seems so unfair that he's being hurt twice when he's done nothing wrong.

any ideas on how to handle this? currently we are telling Tigger off and giving Zac a cuddle but I don't know if that's the right approach to take. Your advice would be appreciated..

Well I wouldn't tell Tigger off, she will be very confused. You may be right in what she thinks has happened. If you are going to go past or over Zac, would saying his name and getting his attention before you do so, stop the fright he gets when you go over him? Just wondered, not much help really, other than training him that these places he lays him self down aren't acceptable and insisting he moves, every time you see him there.

my samoyed has a similar habit of lying in the hall but i tell her to get up and move

we have bought him a dog pillow and are slowly training him to go there but with the fire going these days it's just too tempting for him... and the creep starts and then the treading on happens when you just least expect it... I'm trying really hard not to step over the top of him and at least eliminate one situation...

poor dogs.. I don't like either of them getting in trouble or getting hurt.. they are both lovely good natured animals

if Zac is in a position where you have to step over him he is blocking your way. That can be a wee bit of dominance, in that he is protecting you by blocking access or controlling your movements.

Try and teach the "move" command. No way should you step over him - he should always get up and move out of the way first. Humans must always have right of way thru doors or when walking thru a room. Obviously if he learns the command to go to bed or as we use, "on your mat" and train him that his mat/bed is the place he sleeps- somewhere out of the main human traffic flow.

The other dog is probably going for Zac as she thinks he is injured, due to the yelp, and attacking as dogs do. She is possibly also either "protecting" you or simply putting him in his place. I would suggest a mat/bed each as you are doing and they learn to sleep there unless you tell them otherwise. Dont overly cuddle Zac and make him the victim so to speak as it will make him weak in her eyes as far as pack order goes. Just stop the scrap and make both dogs sit or lie down. Be firm but kind (as long as its not a full on hard to break up fight) till things calm down.

Just remember you are the boss. If you house is anything like a normal dog mixed gender situation the bitch will normally be boss below the humans. My bitches always quietly rule over my boys with no worries.

Tiggy would just be protecting you .. i don't know Zac, but i do know Tigger
Tigger will be Boss dog ... Bridgette is here ( when Kuma lets her) but she is boss of the 3 Greyhounds
Tiggy's mat was not far from the fire .. is Zac's new bed close as well ??
I know its not really fair on Zac ( but he needs to learn to stay out of the main walk areas ... says he who now has to step round 4 dogs in the kitchen ) and i am actually proud of Tiggy for protecting HER humans
I know its hard , but in reality Zac brought it on himself as he got in the walk way , got stood en on ( he should have cottoned on by now that it happens when you get in that area lol ) ,,, and maybe the beatting up by Tigger will re enforce that .. i dont know its a hard one
Tigger is doing nothing wrong though ( just protecting and looking out for her humans) so i wouldnt be telling Tiggy off
I guess its one of those situattions you need to be there to see happen to figgure out best way to fix it
Good luck ... yep your right i am 200% on Tiggy's side

Don't tell off Tiggy and don't give the yelpy dog any coddling for yelping. Instead if you happen to stand on him say "move" or something to that effect to yelpy dog in authorative voice and carry on with what you were doing.
Getting stood on and getting attacked are life's little lessons in where not to sleep, sit, or stand.
Everytime he is in the way tell him to move and he does not respond shove him out of the way in a very non playful way, if the other dog chooses to attack him, so be it, but don't accept her getting in your way either.
Sound like yelpy dog is not respecting place at the bottom of the pecking order and Tiggy is trying to teach him some respect.

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Isn't this so obvious? Tigger (whatever breed) is defending you! Why are you stepping on Zac? What gives here? I am as blind as a bat and have worn glasses for over 18 years and there is no way I would not be aware of a dog below my feet?

Zac is lazy and cruising as part of the family and by rights allowed to lie down where ever he wants too (would you step on a child lying on the floor?) and you stomp on him, there is a reaction and Zac jumps to your defense. Isn't the solution obvious?

As described it is occasional, and I would get justifiably annoyed if my dog is repeatedly in my way.
It can happen if they are bored and wanting to be involved, unsure and clingy, or dominant and protective. None of these justifies them being repeatedly in the way.
I really stood on my dog the other day when I was coming down a ladder. She was hurt, and I was sad this happened but very annoyed that she had put me at risk of being hurt too, which is why the commands "away" (give me space) "back" (move backwards) and "stay" are very useful to train in more positive situations...

Didi - read the first post. 3 girls farming is aware of the dog - the dog simply stands up when she steps over him and gets stood on as a result.

The advice given here should sort out both dogs. Golden rule is never ever step over a dog that is lying down in case they stand up as either they or you will get hurt.

ccrk - I suggest you go back and read the first post again - Zac has a tendancy to sit where he gets trodden on or to stand up half way through you stepping over him. If he is big enought to be an issue if he lies there or stands up, how many times does this have to happen before you stop standing on him? Don't understand your reasoning.

thank you so much for all your advice.. we are making a huge effort now to teach Zac to sit on his mat (he's a bit of a doofus at times) and he is getting better.. I'm also avoiding stepping over him now but occassionally kids are still stepping on him...they will have to become more aware..

Hopefully things will settle down - especially with everyone spending more time inside now it's winter..

am still very very proud of Tigger
Tiggy is the most lovely nattured girl... and she would NEVER allow anything to happen to your or the girls
gave me less stitches than Kuma did and Tiggy was a god send and the best ever help when Ki went up to Big Dog Hill
Yep i am a Tigger fan

DiDi;465276 wrote: ccrk - I suggest you go back and read the first post again - Zac has a tendancy to sit where he gets trodden on or to stand up half way through you stepping over him. If he is big enought to be an issue if he lies there or stands up, how many times does this have to happen before you stop standing on him? Don't understand your reasoning.

Agree but your tone in you original response seemed off. It was pretty clear Zacs owner is aware of the dog, has no sight issues and was looking for help to sort the situation out. There have been some posts of late where I feel you have gotten out of bed on the wrong side (including in a post to a question I raised) when people have genuinely been asking for help.