Dominate pup

Hi. We"re new to having two puppy staffs, they are male brothers and are 17 weeks old. One of the staffs is rather dominant to his brother and always takes toys off him when he is playing with them. We've removed the toy from the dominant pup and give it to the other, but the dominant one would soon get it back from him. How can we stop this please? Thank you

I have never had 2 Staffords although I'm led to believe that having 2 siblings can be a handful.. And 2 brothers can be a lot of hard work.. There are a lot of members on here with experience raising siblings that I'm sure will be able to offer you some advice soon

Many thanks Kylie for getting back to me. Much appreciated

Twp siblings, and two dogs of the same sex, are more likely to fight more, and obviously they have to decide between them who's more the boss of the other. The bossy one wins. So you can't really stop them deciding that, let them sort it out for themselves, but if they're getting out of hand, for example one is annoying the other, then separate them for a bit to calm down.

Why don't you introduce yourself and your pups to us? We'd love to see pics

https://staffy-bull-terrier.niceboard.com/f7-new-member-introductions

Hi Tara thank you for your advice, very much appreciated. The smaller one believe it not wins then as the "boss" Thanks again. How do I put their pics up as new to this?

This should help with posting pics

https://staffy-bull-terrier.niceboard.com/t12017-how-to-post-a-photos-onto-the-forum

Exactly what Tara says. That's one reason it's advised that you don't get two siblings, or even two of the same sex!

I'm surprised that a breeder would allow it, to be honest.

I've never had two dogs together that alone two male dogs and siblings, I think you may well have your work cut out for you. Having said that it's not impossible and I'm sure someone will be along who can help you. Good luck

I've heard that when you have two sibblings they need to establish who is boss while they're young or they will never decide and that will lead to the behaviour continuing.

If the pup who is getting the toys taken off him is okay with it i would not try to push it. Dogs don't think like we do, they don't feel sorry for the other dog and they don't share. Taking the dominant ones toys and giving them back to the submissive one may well cause a fight when the dominant one has to go and take it again.

Many thanks Hayley. The pup that gets his toys taken off him is ok with it, it's just feeling sorry for him lol. But then he's wished up to the other pup and goes and gets another toy and then winds him up. Their definitely characters and love em both v v v much. Thanks again Hayley

@ Hayley. Sorry typo error. It's US that feels sorry for the other pup, but he's wised up to him

Get two of any toys you get, the dominant one may still try and keep both but if you have enough toys in the house then the submissive one will always be able to find something to keep him occupied, also think about crating, then they both have somewhere "safe" to retreat to and make them both understand that each others crates are off limits to each other.

I have two brother cats who, while aren't dogs and definitely aren't staffies, they do have a "I'm in charge" thing going on and they understand it and are happy with it.

Two males will be hard and you might get fighting but it's not impossible, you'll just have to be really strict on training them, make sure they always listen when you tell them to separate or go to their crates and while the decision is ultimately down to you, neutering one or both might help lower any tension between them but then again it might not, it's down to you to decide that.