Why is she so submissive?

[I love Tiggy]

My staff became very depressed after we had our collie put to sleep so we got a rescue dog, which i thought would make her happy.

However, the rescue dog who is a collie cross is being very dominant and almost bullying the staff who looks a little scared.

Will my staff ever put her paw down and show who's in charge? I'm afraid that when/if it happens there will be blood? It is only the first week that the rescue has moved in but its very stressful, they seemed to get on so well when they met.

What is going on??

[LoftyLottie]

The only one that should be in charge is you or other members of your family, I love Tiggy. You will have to be close at hand for a while yet to show the new dog who is boss - not your Staffy, but you!! You must simply not allow him to bully and reprimand him sternly when he shows signs of doing so.

Do you know the history of the new dog, or what sort of life he/she had before?

It will take time for them to settle down together. Lots of walks together and play with you giving equal attention to each. Don't forget you can't replace the dog who has gone. This is a complete new character and you can't expect your Staffy to automatically get on with him.

I think you are expecting too much too soon. They will work out their relationship in good time, but meantime you will have a lot of hard work and have to watch them together until you are confident that they can both be trusted.
Good luck!

[thugulike]

I had a similar situation when an old rottie died and my young rottie went into a decline. He was so depressed after 8 months we got a rescued profoundly deaf Neapolitan Mastiff bitch. We let them play together to make sure they would be compatible and they were fine although she seemed a little dominant.
As soon as she arrived she ruled to roost. All the bones and toys were hers, she wouldn't share. If I gave both dogs a marrow bone she would hide hers then take his. And he let her, turning his head to one side so he couldn't see her take it. He loved her and protected her but she was always the alpha dog. I have always been told that dogs sort out their own pecking order. I guess the rott would never be an alpha dog. There was only 1 serious altercation when the bitch pushed the rott into some prickly bushes. She couldn't hear him growl and eventually he nipped her.
When the young rott died she was very happy but we were asked to rescue an extremely large Neapolitan Mastiff dog. He was an alpha dog and there was sometimes, literally, blood on the walls. He would always leave her a mouthful of food in his bowl which she gratefully ate. Bones and toys were out of the question though. He didn't miss her when she died, in fact he looked somewhat relieved.
You may have a similar situation. Good Luck

[lankeela]

Although you should be the one in charge, no-one can make a dog become the dominant one if they don't want to. They will find their own level, and you should respect that. You do not say if the new dog is male or female - if it is male, then there should be no problem, but if it is female, then you may have a problem as two bitches often don't get on, and whereas males will have a scrap and then forget it, if the girls decide to really fight, then there is only one solution as they will not forgive and forget - one will have to go or else you will be storing up more trouble. Give them both their own space and some individual attention, and try distracting the new one with a toy or a game or a bit of training when it is bullying the other one.

[bushcombe]

hi "i love tiggy" so pleased you found a new freind, i'm sure it will all work out.
we were in very similar position, due to a sad loss of his wife afreind was unable to keep his dog who he had only had few months.so she came to live with us she appeared quite timid to start with but quite quickly became very pushy as loftylottie says we had to be in charge if she becomes to pushy a very firm bed has got us out of a few near misses she still trys it on but they've never come to blows and have sorted out the pecking order and play chase when we're out it has been hard work but well worth it to see them play together. i'm sure everything will work out do let us know.
merry xmas and happy new year good luck !!