For the first four years it was just me and Daisy. We were best buddies, hiking partners, cuddle friends. Then one day in 2012 everything changed – I adopted another dog.

Rosie was just four months old when I brought her home. The first time she met a 60-pound Daisy, this 20-pound twerp growled at her. But within days they were cuddling together and even wrestling. It was a match made in heaven.

But having two dogs isn’t all unicorns and rainbows. Sibling rivalry has reared its ugly head in many ways.

Competing for My Attention

Both of them want to be my number one, whether that means competing for a seat next to me on the couch or getting more pets. Daisy, being the affectionate (and needy) dog she is, often pushes Rosie out of the way and sits on my lap. Rosie looks at us longingly, and sometimes gives me the evil eye.

Competing for Toys

My dogs have a toy that I kind of regret giving them. It’s this yellow emoji patterned ball that squeaks very, very loudly in the highest pitch I’ve ever heard from a dog toy. And unlike most dog toys, this ball is somehow indestructible. Rosie can squeak it over…and over…and over…and over…and it just doesn’t stop. Needless to say, this exciting squeaker has become a point of contention in our household. If Daisy has it, Rosie wants it and vice versa. And each one has some sneaky tactics to steal the toy – they may distract the other one or act like they want to wrestle and then swoop in for the steal. This behavior isn’t just limited to this particular toy either – bones and deer antlers are also in high demand and create competition by the two.

Establishing a Pecking Order

My dogs love wrestling, but sometimes it gets a little crazy. Daisy definitely likes to show Rosie that she’s large and in charge. Though she mostly plays nice, she’s not afraid to show Rosie who’s boss.