We adopted a shelter dog a few months ago and it's been a kinda roller coaster with her, sometimes it's hard to like her. She's really high strung and intense. Well, two weeks ago, we adopted another dog and I immediately fell in love with her. I really adore her but I feel like I should love both dogs equally. Dont get me wrong, I do love my first dog, but there doesn't seem to be the connection there that I had with my new pup. Anyone else experience something like this? Am I an awful person to feel this way?
2006-07-20 16:14:47 · 19 answers · asked by Zahra 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
I know what you mean, I've had the same thing happen to my sister, she adopted 2 boxers, one is hyper as hell the other is calm 'for a boxer'. She is very loving with the calm one and ignores the other pretty much. I get onto her for doing that because it isn't right.. The hyper boxer is just getting worse..
You see, the thing is, you took in a dog from a shelter, maybe saving its life, but with that comes the responsibility of caring for that dog, If you had a child who was hyper and a brat, then you had another that just chilled and was mommy's little angel, what would happen if you favored one child over the other? Dogs can be the jealous just like people, and if an attention starved dog isn't given the attention you give the other dog alot of bad things could happen... that's just worst case scenario, you are doing a great thing by rescuing dogs, just be patient and work with the hyper one, I promise you she will calm down, or enroll her in dog training, a good one! Trust me, she will be a brand new dog in no time if you do. Good luck!! BTW, You are not an awful person at all for feeling that way, you are a great person for taking in and caring for shelter dogs, if we all did that, then less dogs would be killed and stupid breeders would go out of business!
2006-07-20 16:33:06 · answer #1 · answered by drummunky 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Luckily, with dogs their feelings are not as easily hurt. But favoring one over the other can still cause jealousy and fights. Try training the first dog and making sure she is getting lots of STRENUOUS exercise every day! Most bad behavior comes from pent up energy.
Read some great books on training. (Try not to pick books randomly - there are a lot of bad books out there also!) These are some of my favorites and you can get them on Amazon.com
What All Good Dogs Should Know – Volhard http://www.volhard.com/
Good Owners, Great Dogs - Brian Kilcommins
Dog Tricks : Eighty-Eight Challenging Activities for Your Dog from World-Class Trainers by Haggerty and Benjamin
Don't Shoot the Dog - Pryor
Training Your Dog: The Step by Step Method - Volhard
Dog Problems - Benjamin
Cesar's Way - Cesar Millan
Also, watch the Dog Whisperer on the National Geographic Channel. Cesar Millan is the best trainer I've ever seen on TV.
http://www.dogpsychologycenter.com/
2006-07-20 23:38:33 · answer #2 · answered by Danger, Will Robinson! 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What you're feeling is natural. Don't worry.
Your dogs will love you & be devoted to you no matter how you're feeling. But since you mentioned that your second dog is a puppy, it's also a good idea not to neglect the newbie in the house. It needs some training unlike dog#1 who's been through this before.
Give time...Time will turn things around & soon you know, you'll be chasing both dogs around in the yard, laughing & having fun together. Just make sure one thing, give your attention not to one dog but to the both of them. And when you do, you will get back 100 times more attention from them.
Have fun with your dogs.
2006-07-20 23:26:48 · answer #3 · answered by violetviolet 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know this feeling. I have a puppy Jack who is 1 year and I have had him since he was 6 weeks and now I just adopted another dog Jordan and there seems to be a better connection with him. Althought I love them both the same, there is just a stronger connection with Jordan since he is more relaxed than Jack.
2006-07-20 23:21:10 · answer #4 · answered by lala-land 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would not worry about it if i were you. When we first brought our puppy home, i was just so annoyed with every little thing that she did ! She was hyper active & destructive. I found it so hard to love her ! Everything she did seemed to irritate me at that time !! At 1 stage i even regretted buying her........but you know what ? She grew to be the most loveable & sweet thing :) ! I love her soOO much now & can't imagine life without her !
I think what you're experiencing is just some anxiety because your dog is a full grown adult dog & you need more time to really bond with her. You may be feeling just a little "unsure" of her because she's a fully grown dog & she has already developed her own characteristics. Give yourself time with her to better understand her ways & i guarantee you , you will be VERY happy with her & she with you :) ! The key to bonding with animals is really just PATIENCE.
Good luck, take care & have fun with your pets ;) !!!
2006-07-20 23:34:16 · answer #5 · answered by kayla 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not at all. This is normal. Do you like all your friends the same, or are there one or two that you hurry off the phone because your show is starting? You like them, but roll your eyes and think, "crap!" sometimes when they call. It's the same thing.
BTW. Shelters will take the dog back if you are not completely satisfied. If you don't want the dog, it is better for all of you to take it back. Try not to feel guilty, "goodness of fit" is difficult to get sometimes, but worth the wait.
Good Luck.
2006-07-20 23:27:09 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
as long as you plan on keeping both your dogs it is fine. Sometimes dogs attach onto certain people. does your first dog and your husband/brother/whatev get along really well?
also do the 2 dogs get along?
When my family adopted our current and only dog last year, there was absolutely no connection. we are his third and final home so he's skiddish and distant, and probably always will be. in time he and i really bonded, and he actually sometimes sleeps in my bed. sometimes. most of the time he's in the hallway or on the couch. but we give him food, love, plenty of attention, so i do think he's happy, even if he doesn't show it well
as long as you can give both dogs plenty of attention, shelter, food, love you are fine.
and THANK YOU FOR ADOPTING!!!!!
2006-07-21 00:13:38 · answer #7 · answered by keep it real 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No your not a bad mom ..The dogs you adopted are different. That is all. just like all people are different.
Some are easier to train and more social with people.
That is probly why the first dog was at the shelter... the other owner couldn't cope with him..
2006-07-20 23:24:59 · answer #8 · answered by ole_lady_93 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, you're normal. Some dogs are easier to love than others. And many rescues have issues that can tax one's patience.
As long as you don't want to get rid of the first dog, you don't outwardly show favoritism and you don't discriminate between the two, then you're fine.
2006-07-20 23:20:13 · answer #9 · answered by Annie's World 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a mommy?
How can you be a mommy to DOGS?or animals unless you gave birth to one.
No just give both love and attention EQUAL amounts. The first dog will come around
2006-07-20 23:26:21 · answer #10 · answered by Moose 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋