What happens when ..... - Page 2

Seriously, what difference does it make. You have two dogs that get along now. You say you aren't bringing in another dog. Your dogs will work this out themselves. Beyond normal making sure they don't get out of hand, there is nothing for you to do. It's their relationship, not yours.

I know which of my dogs is top dog, it just doesn't matter beyond keeping the peace. I've had nine dogs of my own, currently have three, and close to a hundred fosters, usually one at a time, through here in my tiny little house. I don't let the fosters push my dogs around because they are not a member of the herd and aren't going to be staying. When my old top dogs are getting near the end, I can usually tell who is next in line, and other than making sure everyone behaves themselves, it's up to them. The up and comers seem to respect the old dog until the end, but I'm not sure if that's due to my making sure the old dog doesn't get bumped or knocked over so they stand back, or if it's just the habit of respecting the old top dog.

May not be much help, but at one point when I was living with my family they had 2 "packs" of German shepherds, one was a pack of four that stayed in the front yard, never much pack drama from them, 1 alpha male/female pair. The other was a pack of 8, in the back yard. The alpha male in the back pack, would submit to the alpha male in the front pack if the time arose until he was about 4. One nuetered male in each pack and one intact in each. There 6 females in the back pack, 2 of which were always battling it out over who was alpha female. The others just kinda settled into a pack position and stayed there, with only the eldest female (10 years old) losing her position to the lowest female at one point. That female was 3, when she raised her position in the pack, latched onto my alpha female, became her buddy and that raised her position even further but never over the other female that thought she should be alpha instead of my girl. I think females seem to change positions more than the males? Anyways, my point in this is saying that I think they'd just figure it out, letting someone else in the pack take over instead of a new member. Getting another puppy probably wouldn't give you a new alpha, at least maybe not for a while? From what I've seen, most tend to be happy with their positions in the packs unless an elder losses their position or passes away. Just my thoughts :)

Lady Frost,

My friend had a household of an older Lab, who was the "Boss". Also, they had a rottie/chow mix, that was so lethargic her name was Lola, but everyone called her "Slow-la", and she has since passed. Also a skittish Italian Greyhound. Then Macie, the supposed rottie mix pup was introduced. Not an alpha dog at all, but was totally devoted to the Lab. He just passed. That leaves her and the IG. Neither is an alpha. But they are doing okay. Macie might not be the great protector, but she alerts and barks to strangers. I say, she's a good dog to do that.

My friend is still looking for an alpha female to adopt, to make it alright, though!  A dog that will confront a threat problem with one of its own. 

thanks :)
i think i will wait and see how it goes and if i think i'll need to add a new alpha i will.....actually knowing my history w/ dogs someone will bring one over or i will find one on the street....it never fails..