Rockett

Question
My Beagle has been going through some very strange behaviors. Recently my mom got another dog, three years after having Rockett and now it almost seems as if he's acting out!

He try's to steel Pixie (other dog) food and is always trying to grab her by her hair and investigating her when she is walking around. He also has been known to chase her into a corner or dead end and try to snap at her.
I'm also noticing where he has picked up a bad habit of hers......peeing on the carpet and recently our furniture. He hasn't done it much however I'm wondering if he's just doing it because of lack of attention.

Since having two dogs I do feel like rocketts needs are being ignored emotionally due to Pixie being so needy. You see we received her from a women who has 8 other dogs besides her and the owner neglected her. So by the time we got pixie we had to spend allot of time showing her how to trust humans again and giving her love. But now I feel like Rockett has been left out and I just don't know what to do with him especially since his last episode (peeing on our couch).
If you can would you be so kind to help me. I would love to hear any advice you have.
Thanks,

Mary Rogers

Answer
Mary, you are right. Rockett is 'acting out' because his position in the pack is being threatened by Pixie. I would recommend spending one-on-one time with Rockett every day, taking him for a walk, playing in the back yard, etc. The mistake you made was bringing a new dog into the pack and giving it 'special treatment,' thus elevating its status. Rockett was there first, so you need to be giving HIM the special treatment, not Pixie.

I believe that exercising him daily, and spending one-on-one time with him so that he feels like he is still 'top dog' will help.