Curiosity Question About Treats?

[svnwndrangl]

I have a 2 yr old, male Flat Coated Retriever (King) and recently adopted a 1 1/2 yr old, female Beagle/Bassett mix (Duchess) from Animal Control. In every way except one King is most definitely Alpha dog, after me. He won't accept treats from my hand anymore. I have to lay them on the floor, and then restrain Duchess from taking them or he'll let her have them. What is with him?

[deemartin]

Perhaps the pecking order is not as it seems, food and who eats first is one of the most important aspects of pack behaviour. Have you read any of the books by Jan Fennell, 'the dog listener' I would greatly recommend them. You may not be the alpha in the eyes' of your two dogs and from my experience it's imperative that you are if your new recruit is going to settle in. This situation may well escalate in other areas.

[meltoadhall]

Whole heartily agree with deemartin sounds like the pecking order has changed. The dog listener is an eye opener, well worth getting and following.

[svnwndrangl]

Thank you ... I'll definitely get the book ...I guess I just assumed he was Alpha dog ... because he doesn't allow her to use his chair ... or have his spot on the bed ... I know when I call them to eat ... I call his name first ... and put his bowl down first ... and I have never given either one of them more loving than the other ... and I don't allow either one of them to mess with the other while I'm petting them ... the only thing he gets that she doesn't ... is that I still sing my 'Good Morning' song to him ... because that was something special just between us before she came along ... but I'll read the book ... maybe there's someting I'm missing here ...