[tripprk]

This might sound silly (at least my husband thinks it does), and I know that dogs will always be dogs, but our beagle is new, and Mick is very used to being the only dog. Although he likes Lucky and misses him when he leaves, Mick would have failed sharing in kindergarten. Basically, Mick's favorite toy is anything that Luck is playing with and Lucky only wants Mick to share. Mick starts growling and being a selfish baby and Luck starts whinning and trying to tattle.

I'm also worried about neglecting one for the other. Mick has always been the baby, and he doesn't like it when people are around mom too much, let alone another dog. This makes things hard because even though Lucky is supposed to be my husband's dog he spends most of his time with mom (what can I say? I'm charming, and I spoil them just a little too much. Nobody has to be good when mom's around!). Maybe these are just normal second dog issues or maybe I'm overly sensitive about the boys. I don't know, but just curious - any advice?

Thanks!!

 

[beagletails]

Oh don't worry too much. I think there will always be little issues when there is more than one animal in a pack. I have four so we see little squabbles now and then. It's amazing how clever beagles are though. They each develop their way to get attention. We have two that start wrestling to see who is going to win and get attention first while the other two watch laughing as they are getting one on one with mom or dad that whole time. Each has their own cute way of getting what they want. Eventually all things will settle down and everyone will know their place in the pack. Oh and btw...a dog never selects the person that is really supposed to be their person. At least not in this house. It seems male dogs prefer me while the females prefer my husband. The sad thing is that my husband does NOTHING for these dogs in the way of caring for them other than to spoil them rotten. I feed, bathe, scoop, walk, groom, etc... He just pets them! lol

 

[CarrieD]

Just like siblings, dogs argue and whine and sometimes feel left out. I remember when we had three they were always squabbling. Sometimes it was frightening how roughly the two bigger females played, but once we say their tails wagging high and happy we knew it was all right. They usually work out the pecking order on their own.

As far as feeling jealous goes, I'm guilty of that. Sometimes when I want most to shower Menolly with attention she's already in someone elses' lap. Since I do everything for her including paying vet bills, I feel she's MY dog. Sometimes my brother literally picks her up out my lap to warm up when he's cold.

I always tell him to go get his own dog. Aside from being just plain rude, I feel like someone took my baby away to cuddle without even asking.

But then, when other people are petting her and I come out of the shower or something, she gives me a look that says 'MOMMY!' and runs over to me at once, forgetting her previous attention-giver.

That makes it all worth it.

 

[tripprk]

Thanks for the advice! It makes me feel better to know that other people have had the same issues. I just feel so bad for Lucky! Mick keeps pulling his ears! haha.
And I completely understand about sharing your dogs. I hate it when my husband tries to take them from me. The only thing he really does for them is walk them, and he complains about that. I feed (as well as pay for the food, snacks, toys, groomer, etc), spend time with, spoil, cuddle and love these boys silly. He just occasionally rough houses with them. It doesn't make it easier that he's leaving for Afghanistan soon and I'm going to be with them until August by myself until I leave. He gets mad that they're more attached to me, but he doesn't understand that he's gone so much more than I am. He also has the mentality that they're just dogs and they should act like dogs. Personally, I like my dogs more than most people I meet, and I think they have WAY more personality... =D