Maybe Sparky is a bully or this could be some alpha dog protocol that I don’t understand.  I’m worried that this may not work out.

Sparky needs time to get used to Rusty as Rusty gets used to being here.  Some dog snapping is expected as they figure out the boundaries.  If I can understand what’s going on, I let it play out.  I get concerned when it’s not clear what they are fighting about.

Rusty either has trouble understanding social cues or he is intentionally being a dick.  The video of Sparky snapping at Rusty was justifiable.  Sparky was in his crate and didn’t want company.  Give the guy some room.

Rusty will approach Sparky when it’s clear that now isn’t a good time.  Rusty wants to get a rise out of Sparky, and he does.

It’s the Eddie Haskell routine.  “I wasn’t doing nuthin’.  Heh, heh.  The guy just has it in for me.”

Side Note:   I just learned that Eddie Haskell grew up to be Senator Rand Paul.

Sparky may still have it in for Rusty.

Sparky will be in his crate, and Rusty comes over to check on me.  We are eight feet away, but Sparky may start a low growl.

Yesterday evening, Rusty just walked by Sparky’s crate and he started going off.  He was barking and aggressive like a crazy man.  I picked Sparky up, and sat him on my lap.  He was still howling and squirming to get off.  After I locked him in his crate to cool off, Sparky was wagging his tail and smiling. 

For this whole business, Rusty was back by his crate, and doing nothing to antagonize.  When Sparky goes off, Rusty doesn’t bark, growl or back off very much.

After locking up Rusty, I had a heart-to-heart with Sparky.  He’s still my spirit animal, but I don’t like to see him like this.

I don’t know if these guys are playing, still trying to settle their shit or don’t like each other.  I don’t know what to do.

My ideas are:

  • Alternate which one is locked in his crate.
  • Lock them both in Rusty’s crate to let them know they have to get along.
  • Let them roam around, knowing they will get in an argument, and let them work it out.
  • Let them roam around, and squirt water at Sparky every time he starts growling.

I don’t want Sparky to think he can’t stand up for himself, and don’t want Rusty to think he must avoid Sparky.  I don’t want either dog to start barking all the time.  I’d like each dog to do some self-reflection, stop being a dick and learn to coexist.  That doesn’t seem like much to ask, but since neither dog speaks English, it’s hard to ask anything.

Rusty is coming along well.  He seems to understand house training, doesn’t pull on his leash very much, is 90% over humping, is starting to play with toys and is pretty sure that his name is Rusty.

Rusty is completely oblivious to commands.  We’ve practice ‘sit’ and ‘crate’ a couple of dozen times, but each time is like the first.