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Date Posted: 15:57:24 07/05/04 Mon
Author: Kristin
Author Host/IP: 66.19.102.87
Subject: Re: getting along with each other???
In reply to: Janet 's message, "getting along with each other???" on 19:10:48 07/04/04 Sun

Hi Janet,

I'm hoping that Noofies will respond to your message because I think she's got lots more experience introducting new dogs to each other than I have.

Dogs should be introduced to each other slowly over a period of time. Usually, it's best to first introduce them in a neutral place - like a park. A neutral place means it's not in either dog's "territory."

Then, if possible, you introduce the dogs together slowly. You may keep them separated with the new dog in a room while the old dog still gets the run of the house, but they get time together as well. Then, over time, the new dog also gets the run of the house. Also, make sure you are giving the older dog a bunch more attention overall then the new dog. We tend to want to spend our time bonding with the new guys and forget the older companions.

You didn't mention how old the Aussie is, but when I get puppies (8 - 12 weeks old), they remain in their crates for a large part of the time to facilitate in potty training. This also helps the older dogs understand that they're still kings of their territory since the new baby is limited in it's space. I do often, and I mean very often, take the puppy out and play and also potty. Training a new puppy is VERY time intensive, often taking me 4 to 6 hours of work a day, and that may be underestimating.

I continue using the crate for potty training until the puppy shows an understanding of potty training. To me, an understanding means no accidents for about a week. Potty trained is a dog who only has accidents MAYBE once a year.

When a new dog is introduced to the home, the older dogs do get upset. It puts the "hierarchy" of packdom in question. Who's top dog? Who's second? It can cause some older dogs to act aggressively in order to protect their position in the household. During this time, the two dogs should NEVER be left alone together. In fact, I never leave my dogs alone together for any length of time. I have performance dogs who are breed for a certain level of domimance. This causes fights among the two males, which I can control successfully when home, but it could be a bad scene if I were to leave them alone.

As to whether you should rehome the new dog or not is something I cannot answer. If it were my dogs, it would depend on how much control I can exert over my dogs to avoid the fight. Often, eventually these skirmishes work themselves out as everyone finds their place in the pack. Sometimes, they don't.

Also, as I often recommend, it would be good if you sought out the advice of a professional trainer, or animal behaviorist in this instance, who could watch the dogs and give you better advise.

Good luck.

-Kristin





>Hi everybody, my husband and I adopted a deaf
>Australian Shepard yesterday and he is the cutest. We
>were concerned that our first dog wouldn't adopt to
>this change because he is usually not so friendly to
>other dogs. We went with him to check out if he would
>like the new dog and he really seamed to be fine ( no
>growling or being jealous). Of course it is always
>different in their own home. Now the second day it
>looks like it is a big stress factor for our old dog.
>He is jealous and is growling all the time to the new
>dog and bit him already ones. We don't know if the two
>dogs will get used to each other after a while or if
>it is a better solution to find a different home for
>the new dog. Of course we want to try everything to
>keep him. Any advise?

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