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a-vixen
Sep 9, 2007, 12:27 AM
Hello,I have a 10 week old male doxi called zak and a 7 year old male doxi called frankie{who has been done} frankie will not bond with zak at all and now he refuses to eat his own food and wants zaks.. I am worried that he is not eating enough for his age.. also I am struggling with house training zak... please help.

labman
Sep 9, 2007, 05:30 AM
For housebreaking see https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/dogs/information-articles-our-dogs-expert-labman-53153.html#post251809

It is quite common for a 7 year old not to want to play puppy biting games. The 2 of them may never play together much. Allow Zak to warn Frankie off with snaps or growls. Support him as soon as Frankie focuses on him by giving Frankie a sharp ''Ah, ah, ah!'' and offering him a chew toy.

Don't let Zak's not eating worry you. The more you worry, the more effective his protest is. Chances are, if you follow the discipline in the sticky at https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/dogs/information-articles-our-dogs-expert-labman-53153.html#post254171 he will start eating again before long. You might try feeding Frankie in a crate so they can only eat their own food.

You may have a leadership issue with Zak. The key to most behavior problems is approaching things using the dog's natural instincts. Dogs see all the people and dogs in the household as a pack with each having their own rank in the pack and a top dog. Life is much easier if the 2 legged pack members outrank the 4 legged ones. You can learn to play the role of top dog by reading some books or going to a good obedience class. A good obedience class or book is about you being top dog, not about rewarding standard commands with a treat. Start at Raising Your Dog with the Monks of New Skete (http://www.dogsbestfriend.com/) For more on being top dog, see Establishing and Keeping Alpha Position, Letting your dog know you are the boss (http://www.dogbreedinfo.com./topdogrules.htm) If he has been in charge for 7 years, it may take him a while to accept you as leader.

a-vixen
Sep 9, 2007, 09:13 AM
hello,i have a 10 week old male doxi called zak and a 7 year old male doxi called frankie{who has been done} frankie will not bond with zak at all and now he refuses to eat his own food and wants zaks..i am worried that he is not eating enough for his age..also i am struggling with house training zak...please help.
Thank you I shall staick with it and keep my fingers crosses they will unite