Hi Danielle, >From time to time one of my dogs will get jealous and possessive and I demote them very quickly. They lose privileges such as sleeping on my bed or in my room. I have a young bitch who was housetrained sleeping in a crate in my bedroom, she became quite the "bitch" with the other dogs so she was rehoused for bedtimes in living room alongside the middle ranking dogs and now she is as sweet as can be. I live with thirteen Berners so I have to watch this vying for rank and privilege very closely in order to maintain a peaceful environment. The true leaders are not demoted but they don't feel the need to swing weight on the others, it is usually the maturing or hormonal female who wants to be a school yard bully! No matter how many dogs you live with the dog must learn that nothing is taken for granted and never ever is he/she to consider you personal property, that is a recipe for a dogfight. The mentality for protecting you when needed is one of the self confident and self assured dog, it is the bratty selfish creature who perceives you as their personal servant who is likely to snap or bite another dog seeking attention from you.
When I have other people's dogs here for boarding they do not run with my gang but I will select a suitable playmate or companion for them. One time I looked after a French Bulldog for three months and boy was that a challenge, a lot of dog in a little body! I kept him in one of my large crates and walked and played with him several times a day on his own. He was hellbent on attacking my males and raping the females, I was glad to pack his bags for him. I would be inclined to provide the wimpy Vizla with a crate for his own mental and physical security. Rose
