 Barked: Tue Feb 26, '13 1:34pm PST |
 | |  | | Wolves don't work in terms of 'alpha'. At least not in the old fashioned sense of the word. There is the mother, the father, and their children, occasionally with some aunts, uncles, etc. It is a FAMILY structure. The term 'alpha' when used to describe wolves and dogs has been proven repeatedly, to be incorrect in the way they handle things. In fact, while there is dominance and submission in the world, both animal and human, it's not in the terms one would think when you hear the words 'dominant' or 'alpha' these days. Wolves do not 'alpha roll' one another unless it's the kill the other or during play, and they RARELY need to demand submission because submission is always OFFERED as appeasement to try to dispel the disagreement between the two animals. At least, that's what I've come to understand over the years.
Anyway... I agree, it sounds like Lexus is being a puppy, and Mika is being a very tolerant, good dog. Perhaps a little too tolerant, but let Mika decide what Lexus can and cannot get away with - to an extent. If Mika tells Lexus off and Lex doesn't back off, THEN you can step in. You can even step in and try to redirect the puppy when you feel she's getting carried away. But by no means is this an alpha situation or a dominant/submissive situation. This is a good, tolerant adult dog, and a rambunctious puppy.
I have the exact same situation at home. Charlie would let Ria get away with murder, but you put another puppy up to the same antics that ISN'T part of his home and he'll go after it to tell it off, no ifs, ands or buts. He tolerates a lot, almost too much from Ria, but he also knows his limits and I have to trust that.
Watch for signs that Mika is becoming annoyed, stressed, or uncomfortable with Lex's behavior, and step in as needed to redirect the puppy to play with something else. But you needn't worry about Lexus taking over. Mika will draw the line where she feels the need to.  |  |  | |  |
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I am glad everybody thinks this is o.k, so I think I have been doing it right then, and only stepping in when I think Mika is becoming distressed and Lexus wont so much pick up on that, and keeps going.