Puppy Troubles
Jun. 15th, 2004 01:07 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
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?
no subject
Date: 2004-06-14 05:36 pm (UTC)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.
no subject
Date: 2004-06-14 05:48 pm (UTC)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? ;-)
no subject
Date: 2004-06-14 06:00 pm (UTC)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.
no subject
Date: 2004-06-14 06:14 pm (UTC)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.
no subject
Date: 2004-06-14 06:29 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-06-14 06:47 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-06-14 10:29 pm (UTC)PS: My beagle is jealous of a 2oz parakeet. Go figure?!!
no subject
Date: 2004-06-15 05:10 am (UTC)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.
no subject
Date: 2004-06-15 10:28 pm (UTC)LMAO!!
no subject
Date: 2004-06-15 12:59 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-06-15 05:11 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-06-15 05:40 am (UTC):P
no subject
Date: 2004-06-15 05:42 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-06-15 06:04 am (UTC)