help...
I have split up from my partner and after allot of discussion and to and froing, we decided that it was best for the dogs to stay together. (I have a 3 year old female Shar Pei and a 1.5 year old Male Shar Pei - both desexed)
Anyway, I am taking them with me, and I am moving back in with my parents. They live on 20 acres, and also have 3 dogs (2 Cavalier King Charles under 4 years and 1 older border collie male - I think he is about 8 )
Anyway, this is my problem, my female dog (Ushi) has stayed with me at home in the past on holidays & got along fine with all mums dogs - But this was before we got the male dog ( Zephyr). Both dogs have been socialised, but Ushi can be territorial / protective over Zephyr. Before we got Zephyr she was an angel with other dogs, but now, we avoid socialising them together as she barks at other dogs, and if they go near Zephyr becomes aggresive. She is fine on her own at the dog beach with other dogs, just not with Zephyr. She diditn do it everytime, but even once was too many times for me, so I just started taking them seperately.
Obvisoulsy, I now need to work out a plan. I need to figure out what the best way to 'introduce' my two dogs to mums dogs. I would like to do this so that there is the best chance that they will all accept each other, and can live together in harmony. (I havent moved yet) Mum has built a secure dog run with a shelter which is away from her dogs (approx 5m x 12m so its a big run for them) this means they will be able to be seperated from the other dogs, and will be secured when I am not with them. My dogs will continue to sleep in my room without the other dogs, and hopefully I will eventually be able to let them 'run' off the leash on the propery at home while I am there. To begin with of course, they will be exercised on the lead.
Where can I go to get the best advice as to how to do this ? At present I am thinking that I need to introduce my female dog to mums dogs on her own, let her have 'fun play time' with mums dogs away from the Zephyr, so she doesnt get protective over him. Then I will allow him to play with mums dogs without ushi. Eventually I hope I can let them all play together supervised with no problems. I think I need to start this straight away, so my two dogs dont become territorial. - But I am not sure if this is the best approach ??
Any advice would be most appreciated.
Moving Back home...with dogs
Moderators: emmabeth, BoardHost
Re: Moving nack home...with dogs
I would introduce her first, if shes good on lead then I would introduce her to your mums dogs by taking a walk witht hem, one at a time and letting her catch up to the new dog and do a few seconds butt sniff, and then move on again progressing to parallel walking andthen walking with you and your mum between the two dogs.
This way she gets to meet without the pressure to 'play' or really do much, because dog play is really about figuring out who is boss, who is tougher, its practice fighting really.
Once she met themall this way then allow them off leash, agian one at a time, so you are really really minimising the chances of anyone kicking off or falling out with anyone else.
Then do the same thing with him.
I actually would not let them play all togehter for some time - theres a high chance of things going wrong and where b itches are concerned it doesnt take much for them to form a grudge and they tend NOT to let these things go (male dogs generally do).
Instead you could let him play with some of the other dogs when shes 'busy' (ie, out for a walk, or in your room with a Kong toy or something), and also let her play with some of them when he is somewhere else, occupied, so you are really reducing the chances of her ever thinking 'these dogs are a threat to my friend'.
When you have been there a while and seh associates these other dogs with GOOD stuff, ie, walks with you, playing where theres no pressure etc - then you may find she accepts them as 'friends' and is ok.
It is often the case that some dogs do NOT like other dogs playing rough games in a group, its one of the top triggers for a spat or fight, because from a slightly underconfident or anxious dogs point of view..... these dogs are practicing fighting, and she is NOT in control and the situation COULD go bad..... which makes her more anxious and makes her want to stop it.. so she snaps!
This way she gets to meet without the pressure to 'play' or really do much, because dog play is really about figuring out who is boss, who is tougher, its practice fighting really.
Once she met themall this way then allow them off leash, agian one at a time, so you are really really minimising the chances of anyone kicking off or falling out with anyone else.
Then do the same thing with him.
I actually would not let them play all togehter for some time - theres a high chance of things going wrong and where b itches are concerned it doesnt take much for them to form a grudge and they tend NOT to let these things go (male dogs generally do).
Instead you could let him play with some of the other dogs when shes 'busy' (ie, out for a walk, or in your room with a Kong toy or something), and also let her play with some of them when he is somewhere else, occupied, so you are really reducing the chances of her ever thinking 'these dogs are a threat to my friend'.
When you have been there a while and seh associates these other dogs with GOOD stuff, ie, walks with you, playing where theres no pressure etc - then you may find she accepts them as 'friends' and is ok.
It is often the case that some dogs do NOT like other dogs playing rough games in a group, its one of the top triggers for a spat or fight, because from a slightly underconfident or anxious dogs point of view..... these dogs are practicing fighting, and she is NOT in control and the situation COULD go bad..... which makes her more anxious and makes her want to stop it.. so she snaps!
West Midlands based 1-2-1 Training & Behaviour Canine Consultant
