new dog into home with existing dogs

Question
What is confusing me about this situation is that the new dog is showing submissive behavior, any further comments or suggestions?
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Followup To

Question -
I currently have a 2 year old bulldog and 2 year old boston terrier. Both are male that have been neutered.  I have adopted a 1 year old bulldog, male and neutered.  The current dogs are not accepting this new comer into the home.  They are ok one on one with him but when the three are placed together the current bully and the boston attack the new comer.  Any suggestions on how to end this?

Answer -
HI Dave,  You have a big problem.  What you have created is a pack situation by trying to introduce an adolescent dog into an already established pack.  Your main problem is that you brought an adolescent dog into the home at a critical phase of his life.  The new dog was probably lead dog at his old home (in his mind as far as pack mentality), and is coming of the age to start establishing himself as leader of his new home too. The other two dogs have already established their own pack heirarchy amoungst themselves and the new dog is going to try to establish himself as leader, which they aren't going to accept. In the wild, they would either kill the new dog or drive him out, and this is basically what the two are doing when they are together, trying to drive him out.  It takes approx. 4 weeks for an adult dog to acclamate to a new home, so you have a long way to go for the new dog to settle into your home and the ways of your family (or pack in his mind).  I don't think the situation will get better, if anything it will probably get worse as they just aren't going to accept a dog of that age (and sex) coming into their pack and in their mind, trying to become leader.  Wish I could be of more help, but you are in a very difficult & dangerous situation.  Bulldog's can be very stubborn which doesn't help.

Dawn

Answer
Hi Dave,  He is probably showing submissive behavior because the dogs originally attacked him together so now he feels he has to be submissive to both of them.  They basically put him in his place on the ladder in his mind and he is playing it safe for now.

Dawn