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[personal profile] rebness


Hey, a serious question, for a change.

So at home we have this border collie. The collie is an incredibly smart dog, very obedient, does all those tricks and such, and is and always has been a very affectionate thing. However, she is also a bit of a coward, and doesn't like other people outside of family members and friends that she has seen a lot of. And other dogs-- shyeah, don't go there. She doesn't snap at them or anything like that-- more, she just cowers behind my legs.

It's not like she's unused to other dogs. We used to have a German Shepherd, who was a mellow dog until, that is, the collie (who arrived afterwards) would growl at her if she came near. Now-- no amount of telling her off, making her leave the room, whatever, would stop her-- inevitably, they got into some scraps. A fight between a dog that nips and shreds legs and a big huge Alsatian is never a pretty sight.

The older dog died a while back. We have a new puppy now, a German Shepherd again, who is frankly adorable. But also very silly and with a liking for jumping up and biting, as puppies are wont to do. He's really too young to be taught much at seven weeks old, though I have taught him to sit, at least, and he is very eager to please. However, my brother tells me that things are not going well with the dogs. He keeps trying to get attention from the collie, even nuzzling her for comfort-- which is always responded to with a growl. They were in the garden the other night, and she bit him so hard he was yelping in pain.

Am going to go home soon and be all authortarian and stuff, but I'm not sure what to do. I'm very good at getting the dogs to obey me, just not good at stopping them from biting each other. Any ideas, anyone? Or shall I just get the cat to deal with them both?

Date: 2004-06-14 05:36 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] moon-chylde.livejournal.com
Sad to say there may not be anything you can do with that situation. I have cats who do not like each other, and never will, and are always fighting. The only thing that you can hope for is that as Jack grows he will settle down, but at seven weeks you've got a while to wait for that. If the border collie has always been afraid of dogs, she made just need more time to get use to Jack. Give her lots of attention and not so much to Jack...

My dogs get snappish with each other occasionally. The older ones don't have a lot of patience with 'Stat sometimes, as he is just 6 months old. But they are getting better as he is getting older.

Date: 2004-06-14 05:48 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] rebness.livejournal.com
I think you may be right about the attention thing. I find it very hard to ignore Jack, as he's always desperate for attention-- he's very friendly-- but the collie is an intensely jealous dog. I'm going to try and focus on making her feel special and loved, whilst also trying not to let Jack grow bitter towards her, because he's going to be one huge dog. Heh.

You say your dogs get better as Stat matures-- do you think she'll be more tolerant when Jack is not pouncing at her?

How can dogs not find puppies cute? ;-)

Date: 2004-06-14 06:00 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] moon-chylde.livejournal.com
No doubt the collie will be more tolerant when Jack's not all over her. Who wants a little brat bothering them all the time? Especially when the little brat is getting all the attention?

The first rule of introducing animals to each other is to be sure to give the older one LOTS of attention and don't act like the new one is all that.

I used to be on the board of directors for the Animal Protective League here, and we spent a lot of time helping people get new and old pets to like each other. It just takes time, especially when dealing with older cats/dogs and rowdy kittens/puppies.

And older dogs as a rule aren't fond of puppies. They interrupt their routine.

Date: 2004-06-14 06:14 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] rebness.livejournal.com
Dammit. I'll bring her some doggy chews and a ball and be all, "Amy! Now you behave!" and hug her.

And then Jack will be all, *bouncebouncebounce* and at this point, I'll scream. Lol.

That's another thing-- Amy hides upstairs all the damned time now, away from Jack. I don't know how to make them at least tolerate each other if he never sees her. But forcing her to stay in the room when she doesn't want to would be cruel, right?

Dammit.

Date: 2004-06-14 06:29 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] moon-chylde.livejournal.com
If Amy wants to hide upstairs right now, let her. You aren't doing either of them a favor by forcing their company on each other. Just be sure to go upstairs and spend time with Amy. Alone. Keep Jack somewhere else when you do this. As Jack learns manners you can slowly get them re-introduced.

Date: 2004-06-14 06:47 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] rebness.livejournal.com
Righty-ho. Will do. I hope it works out, because really. Silly Amy. ;-)

Date: 2004-06-14 10:29 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] avariecaita.livejournal.com
Unfortunately, my advice is that you just sit back and let them figure it out. It's all about dominance, and the puppy is either going to be head of the animals - or not. There's naught you can do because you can't be there 24-7. However, I do suggest that if the animals are free during the day there's lots of room for each to have his/her own space. I know a couple of beagles that rip the shite out of each other on a regular basis ($7,000 in hospital bills and counting) because they're in a confined area and haven't really figured out where in the "pack" they belong.

PS: My beagle is jealous of a 2oz parakeet. Go figure?!!

Date: 2004-06-15 05:10 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] rebness.livejournal.com
LMAO! Poor beagle... though strange. ;-)

I didn't really think about that, to be honest-- will have to keep them apart when we're out of the house. Especially as Jack grows to ridiculous horse size.

Date: 2004-06-15 10:28 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] avariecaita.livejournal.com
ridiculous horse size

LMAO!!

Date: 2004-06-15 12:59 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] jaffacakequeen.livejournal.com
the cat idea sounds best ! :-D Good luck Dr doolittle

Date: 2004-06-15 05:11 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] rebness.livejournal.com
We call Chud "Alsatian Cat" because she attacks every dog she sees. :-D

Date: 2004-06-15 05:40 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] verastar99.livejournal.com
I say take one home with you!


:P

Date: 2004-06-15 05:42 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] rebness.livejournal.com
Wish I could, but it would be cruel for the dog. Back there, they have a huge garden and other people to lavish attention on them as well as me. However, don't tempt me to kidnap one... would totally do that. ;-)

Date: 2004-06-15 06:04 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] verastar99.livejournal.com
ah, the puppy's young enough...he wont even notice...;)

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