Hey everyone! I’m really struggling with my younger female dog, Molly. She constantly tries to steal attention from my older male dog, Milo, and it’s getting pretty frustrating. No matter what Milo is doing—whether he’s playing with toys or eating—Molly just barges in and tries to take it from him. I’ve tried everything to keep her busy, but nothing seems to work. Any ideas on how to get her to respect his space and let him have his own time without her butting in?
Ugh, I feel you! My dog used to do the same thing. It sounds like Molly is trying to be the alpha. Have you tried using crates or designated spaces for Milo so he can have some peace? I know it can be tough, but separating them for a bit might help!
Sounds like Molly might be needing more mental stimulation. Have you tried giving her a digging box or a puzzle feeder? That could help her focus on something other than bothering Milo.
Have you tried leash training them separately? You can also use the blanket command to give Milo some alone time while teaching Molly to respect his space. It works wonders!
My dog was the same way, always needing attention and interrupting the other dog. Eventually, we used positive reinforcement to make her feel special when she didn’t interrupt. It took time, but it helped a lot!
Sounds like you’ve got a lot on your plate! If nothing else works, maybe try giving Milo his own special playtime with you where Molly isn’t involved? That might help him feel a bit more secure in his space.