Suggestions/experiences On Getting Two Dogs Acquainted

[wendywc]

Since there are so many pet lovers here, I'm asking. I've had my girl for a year and a half; she's about 40 lbs. My girl has always been very protective and has never been with another dog. The new guy (I'm just fostering for now) is some chihuahua/terrier mix and is not even 10 lbs.

So far, they've been in the same room together (supervised of course) and I've been able to have one on each side of me and pet them both at the same time. That's the closest they've gotten so far. The little guy is very friendly and ready to play with her. My girl though was initially staring him down which I got on her about, so now she's been keeping her distance.

I've already read alot of generic info about getting dogs acquainted. I was just wondering how long it'll be of keeping them separated; it's such a pain. More work than I thought. Anyone have any personal experiences with this? I would like to get my girl more socialized and be able to keep the guy (ideally). Thanks

 

[PlecMama]

I've been able to have one on each side of me and pet them both at the same time. That's the closest they've gotten so far.

If your dog is accepting of that, what other problems have you experienced? IMHO having them both in the same room with you is the hardest part, your Alpha dog will want you all to her/his self and the Beta better watch out. If your dog is allowing you to be that close to him, I think it should go pretty well.

 

[SugarQube]

I was lucky had Spike yorkie cross from Battersea he was 1yr when we got him, I decided I wanted to have another dog so kept going to back to Battersea weekly for about 6mths. Saw an advertisment for yorkie pups and bought Ellie she was 8 weeks when I bought her home wrapped in a blanket. Spike is so protective over her she is 18mths now and Spike still likes to give her an eye and face wash They are inseperable but in a brother/sister way. They have their squabbles over toys and play fight, but are usually snuggled up together in my neck pillow I think I was lucky from the off

 

[wendywc]

If your dog is accepting of that, what other problems have you experienced? IMHO having them both in the same room with you is the hardest part, your Alpha dog will want you all to her/his self and the Beta better watch out. If your dog is allowing you to be that close to him, I think it should go pretty well.

Well, eventually I want them to play with eachother. And instead my girl avoids the little guy unless I call for her to come. And at first she's a little stiff and awkward. She only gets that close becase I called for her; she's very good with commands and extremely obedient. But you can tell she's not comfortable with the situation.

 

[sparky_555]

We had one 13 year old untill we brought a 10 week old jack russell puppy into the house about 3 months ago.

For about a week, RJ (13 years) just kept sniffing midge (puppy) and snapping at her but all she wanted to do was play. It did take him a while to get used to her as hes been the only dog in the house all his life.

But after a couple of weeks they started to know their different bowls in the kitchen and they started to play, he still gets a bit shocked when he finds a patch of wee on the floor every now and again (shes still not house trained but getting there )

So it basically just takes time, and if RJ can get used to a new dog, any dog can

 

[wendywc]

Thanks for the responses everyone.

I know a dog's behaviour depends on their owner and training. But my girl is an Australian Cattle Dog and until I got her I had no idea how much could be inherited through her breed. She is a textbook cattle dog... stubborn and tenacious and is a natural heeler. And that's something I don't want to happen to the little guy is him getting his heels nipped. I've only had him since the weekend so I guess I'm jumping the gun by worrying so early on. I just really hope it all works out.

 

[babybell911]

My girl though was initially staring him down which I got on her about, so now she's been keeping her distance.

Be careful about telling her off as this may cause her to become either scared of you or associate the other new dog with a telling off. Concentrate more on praising her when she's is good with him as then she'll associate him with good things instead of bad. Puppies under six months give off a pheremone that usually stops other dogs attacking them badly as they know they are young. (you don't mention age so I'm not sure this will apply) But dogs in general dont fight to kill as in the wild this would hamper they're chances of survival so they just fight to assert dominance all show really. They are going to have to sort dominance out eventually so I'd let them get on with it whilst keeping an eye out for anything too violent. They're going to need time to get used to each other and areas where they can keep out of each others way but they should settle into it eventually.
Goodluck hope this helps x

 

[wendywc]

Thanks babybell911. We've been working on praising her when she pays him no mind. But she still is keeping her distance. And she did go for him tonight as well.

He's not quite a puppy though; we think he's about one year old.

 

[wendywc]

Well, when it rains it pours. My stepson and his friends saw someone drop off a couple of pups at a park tonight. I already talked to a friend at the SPCA about taking the little guy back to a different foster because of a couple bad fights with my dog. Now I need to take these two pups with mange there too to start treatment. Oh well, that's life.

/thread

 

[babybell911]

Least the two pups were found and are being taken for treatment it could of been so much worse. I'm sorryit didnt work out with your new guy perhaps like mine your's is just a one dog house don't thinnk georgie would take it well either.