2 males - need some top tips please.

[QueenGigantaurofMnet]

hi,
we seem to have aquired my Db's boxer. he is gorgeous and lovely and great with the kids etc but we already have a male cocker.

theyhave met many many times before on neutral ground and they have gotten on fine.

i expected a bit of top dog struggle and have done my best to reduce the stresses by feeding seperately, seperate bed spaces etc.

but they are still banging heads maybe once or twice a day. it has been a week now and i had hoped that it would have settled by now.

is it futile? will we need to rehome the boxer? or are there things we can do to ease them both in to living at ease with each other?

all advice gratefully recieved.

I would say that a week is hardly any time at all tbh.

Not got any advice really though, sorry.

It really does depend on how they are "banging heads" and why.

Is it in a certain situation?
Who starts it?
What do you do when it happens?
How much exercise do they get?

I would be concerned by this behaviour and would not assume that time would resolve it - however it does depend what they are getting grumpy about.

Sorry not really very helpful

Are they being vicious or just cross?

I'd only really worry if it were the former.

Generally I'd not get involved and let them sort it out themselves, but obviously if they're taking lumps out of each other that's not feasible.

I have a grumbly GSD, not keen on pups cosying up or having feet rested on him, but otherwise he is utterly bombproof, so other than an "OI" we ignore him.

Are you sure it's fighting and not play? When my two play they really go at it, iyswim. Most people assume they want to tear each other to pieces, but my dog trainr and very experienced father both tell me it is just play.

Can you afford to get in a behaviourist to help you decipher what they are annoyed about?

I also wouldn't just leave it, as it could get worse not better.

Are both dogs neutered? Are they similar in age? It can take a bit of time for dogs to work out who's in charge. It is for us to watch and to watch and to react to what we see. There are some good Dog magazines out there, and the people on the problem page are well worth looking up. I found Elizabeth Kershaw very kind and helpful, and she sent me in the right direction. If you have a good trainer, they may be able to help too, and the vet should have some contacts. I hope you can sort it out. It's not the same having both dogs living with you, and I expect your cocker feels his nose is a bit out of joint!