need advice

[lovemybostons]

I have 2 female Boston terriers. They are both less than two years old. My husband is wanting a mastiff but I am worried. I have never had a big dog and I am worried that a big dog might hurt my little bostons. One of my girls (Allie) is very possessive of all of the toys and wants all the attention. She was here first. I have read that you shouldn't have 2 dominant females. Maci is pretty submissive, so there aren't usually any problems. They do occassionally nip at each other. My concern is that Allie might get snippy with a big dog and get hurt. We would probably get a male because of Allie being so dominant. Could there still be issues of dominance even with a male dog? Does anyone have any suggestions or experience with mastiff's? We have researched the breed and they seem like good family dogs. Any advice or insight would be appreciated. Sorry for the long post.

[Lissa]

Would you be getting the mastiff as a puppy? That could make some difference because he may learn that your other dog is alpha while small and be ok with it, also he might me able to ajust to it more as a pup. As an adult that is already and established alpha then thats when you would have possible problems. Also from what I notice, some big dogs don't mind being bossed by a smaller dog, I knew one that feared the smaller dominate dog. It could just come down to the dogs individual personalities. I don't know a whole lot about this, but I have a problem with a dominate female and this is the jist of what the vet told me when considering getting another dog. Hope I was somewhat of a help.

[Lissa]

By the way welcome! Would LOVE to see pictures of your pups!
I'm Melissa and this is my pup Layla, a german shepherd/border collie mix.

[Tonya]

Hello, Welcome to PT. I'd always had big dogs until this year. I have a husky and an australian shephard-husky mix. I was really scared to get a pomeranian because my big dogs play so rough with eachother. I thought that they'd kill it for sure. At first, I wouldn't let them go near. Then one day, Dusty got to the pup and put his whole mouth over the pom. It scared the heck out of me, but I soon realized that he'd never hurt him. My dogs are so gentle with small dogs. Right now, we have a 2 1/2 month old pomeranian (our second pom) and they are awesome with her. When they run, they always watch their steps. They put their mouths playfully on her and it looks scary, but they never hurt her. They will fight eachother for bones, yet the pom can take bones from them. The little pom runs their lives. Our previous pom was actually agressive and our dogs would run from him when he was mad. (And my dogs normally won't back down from a fight.)

I'm sure there are many horror stories out there too though. Alot can happen. I think that it can work out for you, but I would suggest using caution and never leaving them alone together.

[lovemybostons]

We would definately get a puppy. From what I've read that does make a big difference. I've also read to ask the breeder if the puppy is submissive. I didn't know that they could tell that at such a young age. Allie was never dominate towards my mom's dogs when we would visit. It was only when we brought Maci home that she started that. Even when she was a puppy though she would get in between my husband and I if we were sitting next to each other on the couch or if he would give me a hug. I will post some pictures soon, I have to figure out how to do it.
Thanks for all the advice so far. I really appreciate it.

[Lissa]

A few ways to tell are if they try to stand on other puppies/dogs. "Mating" with your legs are other items are a way of showing dominance. Its been a while I trying to remember all of the signs Layla gave us as a puppy that she is the alpha. Those where the main two. She started it when we got her and she was between 2 and 3 months, so I think that they will somehow show some indication. She is most dominate at home like your pup is though. I think you will be surprised on how they will take on their roles, even with the size difference. Tonya is right though, really watch them untill you know for sure there will be no problems.

[Lissa]

Ohhhh! I just remembered how the vet told me to become the alpha in the relationship, and this is how they also test to tell if the dog is submissive. Lay the dog on its back and hold it down gently. This is how dominance is created in the pack. If the dog just lays there relaxed then it is the submissive one. If it struggles then it is trying to be dominate. They had me do this with Layla when she was trying to be the alpha with me. It really helped. I hope I've been some help!

[lovemybostons]

You both have been a big help. Thank you. If you think of anything else let me know. Jessica

[Twisterdog]

I'm sure there are many horror stories out there too though. Alot can happen. I think that it can work out for you, but I would suggest using caution and never leaving them alone together

I agree.

English mastiffs are traditionally a calm, even-tempered, good-natured dog. My friend brought two GIANT mastiffs to visit us once, and they basically lay in the middle of the floor and snored, and let my chihuahuas and fox terriers sniff them, climb on them and generally act like idiots.

However, a good part of ANY dog's behavior is how it is raised and trained.

A big dog, even the sweetest, most gentle and kind big dog, can accidently hurt a small dog ... especially when the big dog is a huge, awkward, silly adolescent.

[Tonya]

Originally posted by Twisterdog
A big dog, even the sweetest, most gentle and kind big dog, can accidently hurt a small dog ... especially when the big dog is a huge, awkward, silly adolescent.

I grew up with the sweetest Malmute-Timber wolf mix. We always had rabbits, chickens, cats, small dogs with her and she treated them so well. Well, she accidently killed a baby chick once. It broke her heart, she kept nudging it with her nose and crying...

On the lighter side, here's a pic with my big dogs with the little ones...

Roxy and Sarah



Roxy and Teddy (I no longer have him.)



Look who is beating up who...



And who has the bone...

[tikeyas_mom]

that is just too cute tonya ...
It reminds me of Oscar and Baby.
I think you should get a male mastiff as a pup and see how it goes, because bigger dogs are usually the ones to be submissive towards a little agressive dog..
at least with oscar*shih tzu* and baby*great dane*, baby is always submissing to Oscar, it is sumwhat cute... GULP.. hee hee

Tikeya laying on her back for oscar.


look whos beating up who

Tikeya and her best buddie Otis, that dachshund

[lovemybostons]

You all have been very helpful. I really appreciate it. Your dogs are adorable. I tried putting pics of my girls on here through Image Station but it kept saying that we were trying to access the picture from outside Image Station. I don't know what I'm doing wrong. I'll keep trying though.
Jessica

[Moose]

I really don't have much else to add...since I don't really have much experience with little dogs living with bigger dogs. Either way, the advice you've gotten sounds pretty good to me.

Just remember though...little dogs [especially terriers] can be fiesty, and they're just like big dogs in little bodies. I've met plenty of small dogs that can "hang with the big guys."

[DogLover9501]

If your boston's show the puppy who is in charge, the puppy will always remember.

We have had Jasper(boxer) for 4 months, and Piddle(shih-tzu) is in charge, Jasper will not bother him at all, would never take anything from him or near him, and he knows what not to do near or to Piddle, basically he has to stay away from him, or Piddle will growl, snarl..etc, And Jasper knows.

[Rachel]

Originally posted by lovemybostons
. I tried putting pics of my girls on here through Image Station but it kept saying that we were trying to access the picture from outside Image Station. I don't know what I'm doing wrong. I'll keep trying though.
Jessica

Bring up your picture at ImageStation, then right click on it. Select *properties* and copy the URL you get there. Then use that URL for after you press the image setting here. I had the same problem until I did it this way.

I think Bostons are so dear. Animal Planet just had a show on with a Boston who had pups, but before that, the mom got *married* to the dad. They had all the Bostons dressed up in wedding outfits, attendants included.