New puppy

31lengths · #1 12-26-2006, 01:04 PM

OK...so some say we're crazy for getting a 3rd dog when one of our existing dogs is "sometimes" reactive. Not all dogs....just some set him off. He may be "fear agressive". The dude is scared of everything .

We have not formally introduced them yet and are keeping the new guy, named Alex (yes, after Afleet Alex) behind a baby gate so that the established dogs can walk by and see him. One good thing is that the dog who is tempreMENTAL
is a Border Collie and so is Alex. Not sure if that plays into this at all.
Does anyone have any suggestions for when it's time to actually let them meet?
And/or how long should we wait to do so.

Thanks in advance.

Leo

paisjpq · #2 12-26-2006, 02:22 PM

here's a professional opinion...
http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer...ets_anotherdog

http://www.ddfl.org/behavior/dog-intros.pdf

And my opinion...
I have a pretty high strung dog who gets along with other dogs but can be very territorial and protective of her stuff, her space, her people, and most of all her food...Whenever there will be other dogs in my house I put away all of her toys and her food dish which eliminates some of the blatant flashpoints...and I am careful not to show too much attention or affection to the other dogs...it works for her.
Right now my brother is visiting with his 13 week old puppy and she has actually been great...she is teaching the puppy how to behave and not bite too hard etc. the only 'problems' have been at mealtimes...but putting them in seperate rooms has helped.
The best thing to do IMO is to let the older dogs put the puppy in his place with a growl or a snap (assuming they don't make actual contact)...don't step in and reprimand the older dog unless it looks like they might hurt the puppy. It's the best way for him to learn his place in the pack...but never leave them alone together until you are SURE everything will be ok.

Congrats on your new family member!

31lengths · #3 12-26-2006, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paisjpq

here's a professional opinion...
http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer...ets_anotherdog

http://www.ddfl.org/behavior/dog-intros.pdf

And my opinion...
I have a pretty high strung dog who gets along with other dogs but can be very territorial and protective of her stuff, her space, her people, and most of all her food...Whenever there will be other dogs in my house I put away all of her toys and her food dish which eliminates some of the blatant flashpoints...and I am careful not to show too much attention or affection to the other dogs...it works for her.
Right now my brother is visiting with his 13 week old puppy and she has actually been great...she is teaching the puppy how to behave and not bite too hard etc. the only 'problems' have been at mealtimes...but putting them in seperate rooms has helped.
The best thing to do IMO is to let the older dogs put the puppy in his place with a growl or a snap (assuming they don't make actual contact)...don't step in and reprimand the older dog unless it looks like they might hurt the puppy. It's the best way for him to learn his place in the pack...but never leave them alone together until you are SURE everything will be ok.

Congrats on your new family member!

Thank you. We've pretty much done most of the ASPCA has recomended.
My wife has been great with obtaining this info and opinions as well.

How old is your "high strung dog"? Mine is 1 1/2 .

paisjpq · #4 12-26-2006, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 31lengths

Thank you. We've pretty much done most of the ASPCA has recomended.
My wife has been great with obtaining this info and opinions as well.

How old is your "high strung dog"? Mine is 1 1/2 .

she turned 2 in November...she's a corgi so she is 'bossy' by nature...but she is also pretty neurotic and fearful of new things, loud sounds, the washing machine, vacum cleaner, anyone who carries any large object, people who yell, the lawnmower, weedwacker, horses that run, you get the idea. Life with Paisley is not always easy.

31lengths · #5 12-27-2006, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paisjpq

she turned 2 in November...she's a corgi so she is 'bossy' by nature...but she is also pretty neurotic and fearful of new things, loud sounds, the washing machine, vacum cleaner, anyone who carries any large object, people who yell, the lawnmower, weedwacker, horses that run, you get the idea. Life with Paisley is not always easy.

well we have the new guy behind the baby gate in the bathroom so he can look out and see the others. Now the others walk by occasionally and look in at him and wag thier tails. He's been in there almost 6 days now . We've also closed off part of the yard for him to play in .

We would have liked to let them meet at the park but Jack is more reactive on leash. This we new from the start. He's gotten better about it because WE'VE gotten better and are less tense when he approaches another dog on leash.
We may move new guy's crate into the living room tonight and see the others' reaction. Any opinions on this? Is this too soon?

Danzig · #6 12-27-2006, 11:07 AM

dogs being pack animals, and them knowing he's there...i don't think it's too soon. they have to sort it all out sometime. had they bared their teeth or raised their hackles i'd worry, but tail wagging is a positive sign.

paisjpq · #7 12-27-2006, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danzig188

dogs being pack animals, and them knowing he's there...i don't think it's too soon. they have to sort it all out sometime. had they bared their teeth or raised their hackles i'd worry, but tail wagging is a positive sign.

I agree, if they were going to be really upset they would probably have shown some aggression towards the puppy even over a fence. I would put them together...good luck

Cajungator26 · #8 12-27-2006, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paisjpq

she turned 2 in November...she's a corgi so she is 'bossy' by nature...but she is also pretty neurotic and fearful of new things, loud sounds, the washing machine, vacum cleaner, anyone who carries any large object, people who yell, the lawnmower, weedwacker, horses that run, you get the idea. Life with Paisley is not always easy.

The Corgi nature... LOL

One of my sister's friends raises them... their male, "Charlie" is as sweet as can be, but the females... WOW.

They are the cutest dogs... I adore them. Such personalities...

paisjpq · #9 12-27-2006, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cajungator26

The Corgi nature... LOL

One of my sister's friends raises them... their male, "Charlie" is as sweet as can be, but the females... WOW.

They are the cutest dogs... I adore them. Such personalities...

I wouldn't trade her for anything...but god, some days i get tempted

31lengths · #10 12-27-2006, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paisjpq

I wouldn't trade her for anything...but god, some days i get tempted

Yep...it's funny...the woman who fostered the new guy before we could get up to Georgia to get him had a Corgie but had to keep her separated 'cause she has "attitude".

31lengths · #11 12-27-2006, 11:39 AM

http://img292.imageshack.us/my.php?image=alex061nx5.jpg

http://img292.imageshack.us/my.php?image=alex055ag2.jpg

Danzig · #12 12-27-2006, 11:41 AM

what a cutie.

paisjpq · #13 12-27-2006, 12:32 PM

he's gorgeous...I love it when they have a different color inside the ears...very charming

Cajungator26 · #14 12-27-2006, 02:22 PM

He's adorable!

He almost makes me want to go and get another puppy... ALMOST.

EpBurns · #15 12-27-2006, 03:06 PM

This is kinda of off topic but not really I think every dog owner in the world should tune into the Dog whisperer one time, its on the TLC network this week many episodes are being shown, it is truely amazing what this gentlemen does with the dogs, the first time I saw the show I was truely amazed how he handles the dog's and teaches the owners how to act, from watching the show(almost borderline crazy because I try to watch every episode) you should take the new guy and let the other dogs teach him how to act and he will be part of the pact I don't think it is too soon to introduce him into the pack it will be good for him and most likely he will learn how to act in your house by watching the others and even and I know this sounds funny but being discplined by the other dogs.

31lengths · #16 12-27-2006, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danzig188

what a cutie.

thanks everyone. he is pretty cute (and curious).
and thanks for advice.

Nascar1966 · #17 12-27-2006, 08:13 PM

At least you dont have 5 dogs and 2 cats living with you. My pets seem to get along pretty good. The cat we just got it last week, someone left out to fend for its own. It is already litter box trained.

31lengths · #18 12-27-2006, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nascar1966

At least you dont have 5 dogs and 2 cats living with you. My pets seem to get along pretty good. The cat we just got it last week, someone left out to fend for its own. It is already litter box trained.

well.....4 cats, 3 dogs is quite a gaggle, too ! LOL

So the cat were basically abandoned? At least it found a good home. Is the cat declawed when you found him?

largo1 · #19 12-30-2006, 10:28 AM

The puppy is adorable! In fact, the pix of him just sent me thru my" "I want a puppy" "No, I don't""Yes, I do" "You're not home enough"" routine. Sighhhhh. I'm really *NOT* home enough right now to have a puppy.

I love the herding breeds.I had a Corgi for 16 years. Shorty Bighead. What a smart dog he was!

Good luck with him, sounds like you are getting some great advice here.

Suzanne

31lengths · #20 12-31-2006, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by largo1

The puppy is adorable! In fact, the pix of him just sent me thru my" "I want a puppy" "No, I don't""Yes, I do" "You're not home enough"" routine. Sighhhhh. I'm really *NOT* home enough right now to have a puppy.

I love the herding breeds.I had a Corgi for 16 years. Shorty Bighead. What a smart dog he was!

Good luck with him, sounds like you are getting some great advice here.

Suzanne

Thank you, Suzanne. You're right. Everyone here has given some great support.
We are letting him out of the crate for a few minutes a day. And once the originals stop wagging, we put the little one back in. So far it's been working.