What does it mean when your Great Dane attacks your female mutt all the time especially when they are eating?

Answer 1

The Great Dane is being the dominant dog, or the Alpha. In wolf packs, the hierarchy goes-

Alpha (Male and Female)

Beta (Male and Female)

Omega (Males and Females)

Juveniles (Males and Female)

The Alpha wolves always eat first after a kill and get however much food they want. The rest of the pack must come up to the Alpha and beg for food. Your Great Dane feels challenged when your female mutt comes up to eat without asking permission, and he is showing his dominance to remind her of her position in the pack. You can solve this in a few ways-

1. Establish dominance with the Great Dane and your Mutt. Have everyone else in the household establish dominance as well. Do your best to show your Great Dane that he is equal or of lesser rank than the female.

2. Feed them in separate places (but this will only cure the fighting while they are eating).

3. Allow the Great Dane to establish dominance. (This is NOT a good idea and should not be tried unless the Great Dane will not stop attacking the dog.

Remember to give equal affection to both dogs, and do NOT pet or show affection to the Great Dane after attacking the mutt. Showing affection will only reinforce the behavior, not calm him down.