Sparky is a boss.

When we go on walks, Sparky will occasionally go off in a different direction like he’s got some kind of plan.  He just expects me to follow because his idea is better than mine.  He is a confident and decisive leader.

I expected some conflict when Rusty came in. 

Sparky had a really nice situation.  Rusty would be cordoned off in the solarium and needed attention and monitoring.  It’s a zero sum game.  Rusty’s gain is Sparky’s loss.  Sparky didn’t complain, but he let me know that he wasn’t getting his due.

Sparky was introduced to Rusty in small doses.  Sparky snapped and growled to tell Rusty to cut out the funny stuff.  Fine, the dogs had to figure this out.  When Sparky growled at Rusty for being petted, I told Sparky to cool it.

Sparky dialed it back, but still finds ways to let Rusty know the score.  Sparky took Rusty’s crate, and refused him entry.