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It's been a week since we adopted Hexa, and I'm wondering if this is expected behavior:
She and Hagan get along great for the most part. She growled at him briefly a couple of times (during the first couple of days), but other than that they've been playing, laying next to each other for naps, sitting together to get treats, sharing toys, etc. without any problems. She's mostly sweet and obedient.
What I've noticed, especially yesterday and today, is that she's now feeling very "at home". She follows me to the room where I keep their food and treats, and if he tries to enter the room she growls at him. Same thing if she's laying next to me in the study, to the point of him now not wanting to enter the room anymore, while she's there.
He's never been reactive to other dogs, loves people and kids, and is very well tempered. But now, if he feels cornered when she growls, he'll snarl back at her, instead of just walking away (like he did the first couple of days). I let them know that it's not acceptable behavior by using a firm voice and they are OK after that.
I'm hoping that this is just them testing the waters and establishing their roles, as opposed to a potential aggression problem. I don't know much about Hexa's first year and a half, but I know that her first adoptive mom returned her because she couldn't get along with her Bull Mastiff bitch. Also, her first foster parents kept her in a crate day and night.
So, I don't really know what kind of "issues" she has, but it seems that she's starting to feel that this is her house now, and Hagan is not happy with her attitude. Also, earlier today, while I was in the backyard with them, Hexa saw my next door neighbor's 3 year old girl through the fence and run towards her while barking non-stop.
Am I worrying too much too soon, or is this part of adding another adult dog to the family? I've had dogs before, but I've never been in this particular situation. Please advice!
She and Hagan get along great for the most part. She growled at him briefly a couple of times (during the first couple of days), but other than that they've been playing, laying next to each other for naps, sitting together to get treats, sharing toys, etc. without any problems. She's mostly sweet and obedient.
What I've noticed, especially yesterday and today, is that she's now feeling very "at home". She follows me to the room where I keep their food and treats, and if he tries to enter the room she growls at him. Same thing if she's laying next to me in the study, to the point of him now not wanting to enter the room anymore, while she's there.
He's never been reactive to other dogs, loves people and kids, and is very well tempered. But now, if he feels cornered when she growls, he'll snarl back at her, instead of just walking away (like he did the first couple of days). I let them know that it's not acceptable behavior by using a firm voice and they are OK after that.
I'm hoping that this is just them testing the waters and establishing their roles, as opposed to a potential aggression problem. I don't know much about Hexa's first year and a half, but I know that her first adoptive mom returned her because she couldn't get along with her Bull Mastiff bitch. Also, her first foster parents kept her in a crate day and night.
So, I don't really know what kind of "issues" she has, but it seems that she's starting to feel that this is her house now, and Hagan is not happy with her attitude. Also, earlier today, while I was in the backyard with them, Hexa saw my next door neighbor's 3 year old girl through the fence and run towards her while barking non-stop.
Am I worrying too much too soon, or is this part of adding another adult dog to the family? I've had dogs before, but I've never been in this particular situation. Please advice!