Should I let my dogs growl at each other?

[hedgehog]

Guinness is the old dog, a 3 year old 50 lb beagle/shepherd. Pooka is the new dog, a 1 1/2 year old 20 lb Pomeranian mix. Both are neutered males. Pooka has been with us since Sunday. Guinness came to us as a puppy and grew up under the thumb of our other dog, Jack. Jack died suddenly about 2 months ago.

So, the two dogs seem to be getting along, playing from time to time, sleeping next to each other, etc. From time to time Pooka gives a little growl that continues to barking and then Guinness starts barking back. This proceeds to snapping at each other. It stops at once if we tell them to cut it out.

I can't tell if this will go away in time or if this will escalate into real fighting. Both dogs are very well socialized and very people centered.

[Midlodemocrat]

1. No. You should kill them. Series. It's the only path to peace.

[hedgehog]

2. I can always count on DU for good info.

[Midlodemocrat]

3. You're welcome.

:thumbsup:

[YellowRubberDuckie]

8. ...

:rofl:

[PVnRT]

4. They're just establishing dominance

Like when we take my dog to visit my uncle and their pug - mine will absolutely ignore the pug, which drives that little rat-faced monstrosity up the fucking wall. She will growl occassionally to get the pug to leave her alone, sometimes even move to bite, but if your dogs are trained well, it won't escalate.

[hedgehog]

5. I figure that that's what's going on. We seem to have an odd situation

developing. Pooka is first to bark at anyone at the door, but Guinness gets dibs on any treats that hit the floor.

I should also mention that Pooka's tail is wagging through all of this, that Guinness doesn't seem upset or even all that interested most of the time, and that both dogs are paying more attention to me than to the confrontation (I am the one who does the most cooking and hence am the most likely source of treats.)

[hedgehog]

6. kick for night crew

[Orsino]

7. Cesar Millan would shut that shit down.

I'm more laissez-faire when it comes to doggie dominance games, myself, but if you really want peace, it's probably achievable.

[Inchworm]

9. Watch 'em - it might not be dominance at all

Poms are yappy, barking, ratdogs.
The wind blows, they bark. A car goes by, they yap. The Space station passes overhead, they bark and yap.

The bigger, older dog may be thinking
Hmm.. this ratdog is barking, WOOF. Woof, bark, hmm.. bark.. wait, I don't hear anything! Woof, shut the hell up ratdog! Grrr.. WOOF.

Then.. said ratdog continues.. yap, yap, can't you hear it dumbass, bark yap... and heads to the door/window.

Said big dog says, WTF you think you are doing trying to pass me and get to that.. umm.. that WhatEVER before I do, WOOF! Snap, snarl..

Hey, it could happen. I watch it every day with my Akita and Daushund.

:rofl:

[Brother Buzz]

10. Let 'em go at each other and everything will be resolved in about five seconds

It can be ugly, but they will establish the peeking order real quick.