Why is Ginny doing this??????

[elwoodsf]

Ginny is 8 yrs old. She is a Cairn Terrior. She has been dropping one "rabbit" **** on our bed, three times in the past week. Our daughter left for college in August. Her 9 yr old Yorkie is now on our bed. Since the snow, cold weather we have moved our 7 yr old German/Shep mix in our room in a bed on the floor. This move was about a month ago. When I feed the little guys, I am now feeding Coonie (Shep) the same food in the house since Coonie's food is out in the "barn".

Ginger is the alpha dog, then the Yorkie, then Coonie. Ginger did not display this behavior when Skippy, the Yorkie, moved into our room.

When Ginny was born she had a prolapsed rectum which was repaired. We took her off her special diet about two/three months ago and now she eats the same food as the Yorkie. When it comes to food, Ginger is the type of dog who catches it before it hits the ground. The other dogs do not attempt to challenge her. She is not a mean dog, just Alpha and has let both of the other dogs know.

I'm giving a history of her life changes in hopes that this could be the problem. If it looks like a medical problem I will take her to the vet.

[ginger899]

That was great. You put her in her place. Dogs aren't stupid, they know they are loved underneath the rules! So it wouldn't bother her too badly. (a hell of a lot gentler than what happens in dog/wolf packs to put subordinates in their place!)

Also, to a dog's mind, certain things that we humans think of as 'unfair' or 'bossy' etc, dogs have no trouble with at all, as long as those things are doled out with security and love. In fact, a well-balanced, relaxed dog is usually one who knows for certain where he/she stands in the 'pack' and doesn't always have to keep challenging for leadership.
The one thing I know, however, is that dogs have thir own concept of 'fairness' (If you say you'll go for a walk/give a treat/ and don't follow through)....they know something is unfair. But the things like.....letting the dog have the best bed-position out of politeness, or other similar things, they would not be able to understand as humans would, and would view such things from their own canine logic.
I believe dogs are extremely logical and straightforward. Most of the time it's just US that can't understand that clarity!!

[elwoodsf]

These are some great suggestions. Last night, our daughter was gone and the Yorkie was back on our bed. Ginger did fine. This kind of threw me off. I was thinking "oh no, here we go again". When Skippy was brought into our room Ginger let her know where his spot is on the bed was to be and he "listened" to her. If her scooting continues, Mark and I decided to kennel her up in the room, all dogs included, and see what happens.

Ginger used to snap at me if she didn't like me moving her around. I picked her up by the mane (like a mommy dog would, she was on the bed and I was kneeling next to the bed), I got face to face with her and told her I was Alpha in this house. She hasn't nipped at me since. It killed me to do it, but it worked. I think I'm the one who needs training. I spoil this little girl rotten and my family reminds me of that daily.

Thanks for the input. Keep it coming, please, if you have any other suggestions. Sherry

[ginger899]

Some (which I would consider 'innocent') words (like b-r-e-a-s-t-s- and b-i-t-c-h-e-s-!  don't work and make stars instead. Never mind. Got the meaning!
Ok so Ginger is alpha. But I do think SHE thinks she rules the whole show! Which is not the case. Of course, YOU do (or your partner or both of you) It's difficult, and I'm not a behaviourist, only learned a few canine tricks from the dogs I've known! But for expert advice I'd say consult a dog behaviour specialist. There might be one you could find through your local vet? Many vets know professionals who can help.
First principles here are that you have to work out a way to show ALL the dogs, including Ginger, that in fact YOU are pack leader, not ANY of them. With the bed thing, Ginger came first, so she thinks it's her little palace. She tolerated the Yorkie, JUST,  now Coonie's made up the pack dynamic. (It's said that more than two dogs constitute a pack, then pack behaviour comes into play) So that's why. How to fix it....I'm not sure. Maybe not letting Ginger into the bed, but putting her down on the floor, or even with the others in another room might help. (Probably easier said than done!) But it would send her a strong message that you are the one(s) in charge here, and not her. If I think of anything else I'll post it.

[elwoodsf]

Thank you for responding to my post. Yes, the **** meant faeces. I didn't think the word I used was censor worthy??

Ginger is fine with her eating and "business". We have a small kennel area so I can keep an eye on her "business". She's fine. I am going to agree with the statement of her attempting to rule the roost. I'm open for any idea's. Put Coonie in a different room, kennel Ginger up for the night? I hate to kennel her up since it was her "territory" first. When Skippy joined our bed, Ginger would snarl and snap at him when he would try to get up. We re-directed Ginger's behavior and that took care of the problem. Coonie is too large to get up on the bed yet when we let her in the house for the night, Ginger will follow Coonie at the heal, snarling and nipping - like escorting Coonie to her bed on the floor of our room. She moves so fast I can't catch either one of them.

[ginger899]

I wasn't quite sure (because of the on-site censorship) but does the **** mean faeces? That's what I assumed. If so, are these faeces normal? If so, then it does sound more like a behavioural problem, but because of her history, are you sure there isn't something going on with her bowels? And how is she after doing this? OK and eating/doing 'business' normally, or what?
Supposing all is well, then it could be an Alpha female attempt to rule the roost. Doing 'scat' is marking territory. It could be that she is making a claim on the bed/bedroom area because Coonie's moved in now, and it's the last straw in her Alpha territory.
I would definitely check out the physical side for any possible problems before moving on to any behavioural strategy.