I'm new to the multi dog household and could really use some advice. I have a bossy 3 year old female Boston, Gertie. I took in a 2 year old male puppymill rescue Boston, Gus. For the first few days they were awesome, sharing toys/bones, playing chase & tug. About 4 days into him being here, they had a scuffle over a toy. Kind of intense, but no broken skin...broke up fairly easy.
That was about two weeks ago...there hasn't been another argument or tension. We walk all together twice a day, they sniff things out together, lay on the couch/floor near each other...but Gus now seems afraid to engage in play. Gertie will shake a tug toy inviting play, or play bow near him, and he avoids her. They'll have a little stint of playing chase in the yard, but Gus soon retreats.
From what I can tell, Gertie's body language is appropriate. Is it just a matter of time before they are playmates & Gus is just adjusting... or has the earlier tiff tainted their relationship? I'm trying not to stress or force anything between them, but I would love it if they would naturally find their way together again.
Dogs had a fight, now won't play...
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Re: Dogs had a fight, now won't play...
But their naturally found way together may not include playing much together, if at all. Peaceful coexistence may well be it.
Who's to say that either one of them needed a playmate in the first place... They both may be naturally inclined to be the only dog, in which case peaceful coexistence is a good as it gets.
Or maybe they need more time, 2 weeks is not that long.
In any event, my 2 cents - I would be doing what you are doing, not trying to force anything... My only advice - keep in mind that your idea of dog/dog happiness (playing together, cuddling, sharing things, etc) may differ from theirs
Who's to say that either one of them needed a playmate in the first place... They both may be naturally inclined to be the only dog, in which case peaceful coexistence is a good as it gets.
Or maybe they need more time, 2 weeks is not that long.
In any event, my 2 cents - I would be doing what you are doing, not trying to force anything... My only advice - keep in mind that your idea of dog/dog happiness (playing together, cuddling, sharing things, etc) may differ from theirs
Re: Dogs had a fight, now won't play...
Wise words.
A dog is never bad or naughty - it is simply being a dog
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