Dogs being pains!

Not long ago my mum decided to get a third dog at hers, a caramel German Shepherd puppy, to go along with the massive Normal GS and a very small Wee-chon. At first it seemed really good, they all got on (even if the wee-chon was a bit miffed he wasn't getting as much attention) but recently it's got a bit nasty.

The older shepherd has decided to become possessive over treats. It wasn't that bad at first, he just had to have them first. But the other day he didn't get his first, and got into a fight with the others. Now the wee-chon (same size as a west highland terrier) has a scratch on him and the puppy has a small cut.

I don't understand why she got a new dog to be honest. The current 2 were fine. She's said if he doesn't drop his act he'll need to go. He's not the friendliest dog with other people though is the issue which upsets me. Around the family he's the most lovable thing going but with strangers he can be nasty and of course being as big as he is (same as a great dane) it's not something you could easily fight off.

Just needed to vent. I'm hoping he bucks his ideas up, he was such a good big brother to the pup at first so I don't know where this behaviour came from. Hopefully my mum can sort things out, she used to teach rottweilers.

If she in fact: "...used to teach rottweilers. ..." There is very little difference in teaching one breed over another. Possible some minor differences, but even so, the basics are the same. Time for her to uses those tools that have been setting on the shelf.

yeah what she said she'll have to do. Clearly the puppy has caused some tension between the dogs and with the large shepherd's temperament it just made him a bit snappy over treats

Just one thing comes to mind. I have noticed as I have reached retirement age that I don't always feel as strong as I did when working. My dog a GSD mix senses that and although still obedient is not nearly so concerned and will choose to take his time.

I sensed this as the beginning of him questioning my place in the pack and upped my game accordingly. Result - the dog returned to his place in the pecking order. If your Mum is tempted to be all soft around the new puppy and is coupling that with a natural tendency to rely on the old status quo with the other dogs, it may be that she needs to up her game as I had to in order to adjust the pecking order.

The older large dog needs to be fed first after the owner and the puppy last in order to keep the pack hierarchy. The older dog expects to be fed first and would have fought in order to keep his position in the pack. This would not be unexpected in normal pack behaviour. If the puppy is male then the older dog will be concerned that it will want to take over his place and in the absence of strong owner pack leadership will try to keep the puppy and other dogs down. Hence the squabbling.