Sharing dog box

[newf]

Avoidance of head on head on is basic canine behavior, dogs try to avoid conflict where ever possible, even when it is not intentional by the other party. ( Where pack theory often falls apart ) Often we only notice it at `choke points' or when an overly humanised dog has not learnt canine etiquette and run straight into another dogs face. Often followed by those immortal words "He's only being friendly" .
Personally, as its a home made dog box, I would do as you yourself has already suggested and make a second entry, it will make little difference to the comfort of the box, and I am sure you could make it so it could be closed up later

I don’t agree with all the mumble jumble of the so called ‘pack theory’ either, but I will say, dogs are born with a basic nature. That nature is instinctive and is their driver. However, from that base, I believe them to be autonomous individuals that act and learn from consequences both positive and negative.

Because of that, there are some basic truths but, all in all, nothing is for sure with a dog. Contrary to the broad statement, that ‘dogs try to avoid conflict’, there are many that earnestly look for a good fight. So, IMO, don’t let assumptions cloud corrective action on any behavior if you want to stop a bad one or promote a good one.

[munstyman]

I don’t agree with all the mumble jumble of the so called ‘pack theory’ either, but I will say, dogs are born with a basic nature. That nature is instinctive and is their driver. However, from that base, I believe them to be autonomous individuals that act and learn from consequences both positive and negative.

Because of that, there are some basic truths but, all in all, nothing is for sure with a dog. Contrary to the broad statement, that ‘dogs try to avoid conflict’, there are many that earnestly look for a good fight. So, IMO, don’t let assumptions cloud corrective action on any behavior if you want to stop a bad one or promote a good one.

In a natural environment physical conflict poses an increased threat of damage to either party, or both. So natural selection has made avoidance of such high on the genetic/learned agenda.
Of course there are dogs that are bred or have learnt to be aggressive but these are not `natural behaviors' . Aggressive initial put downs such as advocated in the `alpha roll' or scruffing for discipline for example, fails to recognise all the previous warnings given in sequence of the far more passive body language warnings before even resorting to this limited form of aggressive action.
I'm actually a strong supporter of pack theory, just not the interpretation put on it by many dog behaviorists. Observation of interactions between animals in a wild state often is the basis of understanding the base line of communication that they form over millennia. The gap between Wolves and dogs may be growing, and our influence can be seen in both the long and short term. But the base line communication is still there, and goes a long way if you let it, as to why Llyod was seeing what he did, his dogs avoiding conflict.
You can train around or through the problem, of course you can, provided you remember to assess correctly the part your presence plays in the solution. Or you can avoid creating the problem in the first place, with a second or wider entry.

The point, I was making about handling is that the dogs are focused on me and my direction and not the pettiness of making contact with each other or who owns what piece of real a state. To me, some dog owners create problems or allow such events to escalate because they’re afraid of interfering with their dogs behaviors. You don’t lose drive just because you’re charge, you lose drive by creating confusion that never straightens out.

As long as you separate out deliberate possessive behavior from casual position/blocking I totally agree with this As always the success of your solution is dependent in the first instance of the correct assessment of the problem, or even if there is one.

[CockerCanuck]

Newf, they look happy to share the box. I have always had multiple dogs in the house and I really enjoy just watching their interactions with each other. There is a lot of complex stuff going on within their relationships. My dogs have always "gotten along" but some certainly like each other more than others. My two males now don't like each other and avoid each others company when they can. Don't think they would be happy in a crate together. On the other hand the Cocker nestles right into a dog bed with my wife's Rotti bitch all the time.

Yes, CC, they do like sharing the box because it always leads to good things. Today, it happens to be their morning free run.

The point, I was making about handling is that the dogs are focused on me and my direction and not the pettiness of making contact with each other or who owns what piece of real a state. To me, some dog owners create problems or allow such events to escalate because they’re afraid of interfering with their dogs behaviors. You don’t lose drive just because you’re in charge, you lose drive by creating confusion that never straightens out.

I agree Newf, if I take a moment for self reflection I can take pride in the fact that I was able to deal with the aggression between my two male dogs and the problems seem to be behind us. They are together all the time inside and out and although it is obvious they don't like each other they are tolerant we have had no growling or fighting in over a year. On the other hand if I take the same self reflection deeper and move into self criticism, it should never have gotten that far in the first place. The dynamic was the Cocker was here first and with two bitches. He had set himself up as king of the castle when the CBR pup arrived. For the first year and a half they were together the Cocker totally dominated the relationship and pushed the Chessie around. I should have seen that this would not last and at some point the much bigger dog was not longer going to tolerate it. If I had dealt with the Cockers "cocky" attitude right from the start it probably would never have developed into a problem.

[Judy]

Hindsight is a wondrous thing!