I have a 7 year old male German shepard mix. He's lived here since he was two. When he first came we introduced him to our other dog who was a female akita. She passed away this october and now we're trying to introduce a new dog. She's a 2 year old yellow lab. Now, he's extremely anti-social, he barks and growls at all other dogs. So she was no exception. When she came over he was barking and growling and couldn't go near her. My mom really wants this lab, but if he doesn't get along with her we can't. Is there anyway to make him less agressive towards her? Please help.
2007-01-18 11:16:36 · 5 answers · asked by Littleblonde18 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
At age 7 it will likely be very difficult to change his behavior if he is aggressive toward all other dogs. Socialization really has to occur when they are puppies or young dogs. They may establish a pack order after some time, but if he is acting very aggessively now, you will probably never be able to completely trust him with the new dog.
2007-01-18 11:23:17 · answer #1 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It may be possible. Make sure both dogs are leashed. Let them come into the room together, but keep them as far apart as possible. If the german shepard barks, wait for him to stop. Then, tell them that they are good dogs, heap praise on them. Slowly (and I mean, stretch this out over a couple of days!) move them closer together. Eventually let them get close enough so that the 7 year old can get a good butt sniff on the 2 year old. All the while-both dogs should remain leashed and both need heaps of praise. Make sure it's a "neutral" environment, as well-no food, toys, or dog beds anywhere. Eventually, one will emerge as the dom, and I am guessing it will be the shepard, but that has to happen before there will be any peace. The lab has to recognize her place inthe "pack" Also, make sure the Shepard gets any treats and food first, to reinforce that pack order.
That's just what I would do. It may or may not work. Good luck to you all!
2007-01-18 11:29:02 · answer #2 · answered by kelly24592 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What you need to try is have them in adjacent rooms with a baby gate up between them. This way they can see each other and most importantly to a dog, get each other's scent. When your male is calm about this (and you can't rush this part, especially with an unsocialized dog), that's the time to let them in a room together - supervised.
He's likely going to take a bit of work and may never really like her, you just need him to accept her. Make sure he's always fed, greeted, fed first. If he tolerates her in the house, you can try taking them for a walk together. If this lab is pretty high energy, it's not a good idea to put them in the yard together, at least not until you're sure they're ok together.
2007-01-18 11:23:27 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The first step before your dog can get socalized with other dogs is to get your lab to be socialize with you. Once she learns to trust you and get used to being handle by you, then it will open up doors for your new dog.
To get your dog comfortable with your family you need to get in a room where you all feel comfortable. Let your dog come to you. Take treats and talk calmly to your dog. Do not act scared or have fear. Do not chase the dog.
So when you come to the dog you need to get on the floor, sit on the floor (one spot do not move). Have treats in the hand and talk calmly. Wait for the dog to come to your mother (have the treat in the your hand and talk calmly). You should try to feed more than one treat. Once the dog comse over just talk gentle to the dog, have a conversation. Do not try to pet right away or grab at the dog the dog will run away or become agressive. The dog should get use to your mother's voice and personality. Once your mother and dog get along then try to introduce the dog to the other family members in the same manner.
Once that has been accomplish then the next step is to have your dog introduced to your German Shepard. You have to make sure that the are introduced in a good zone. One of the dog will try to show who the Alpha dog is. As long as they're not agressive towards one another. Make sure you have a spray bottole in place so that if they try to get aggressive then you spray water in their face to seperate them. NEVER try to seperate them yourselves once they have become aggressive.
If that doesn't work then you need to have them seperated and put them in two rooms with a baby gate. They will see each other and have an idea that there's another dog. Observe to see how they act together. Once you feel comfortable that they will act in a calm matter or decent matter then you should allow them in a room together and try the steps mentioned above.
The best way to socalize a dog is to enroll them in group classes (even if the dog is already trained). This will help them play with other dogs and get use to be around other people. Once they have accomplish that then you should try to bring them to places where there are people (pet stores) and see how they act (once they are soclized and friendly in the group class and with strangers). Good Luck & Hope I helped
2007-01-18 13:03:23 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
they'll get used to each other
2007-01-18 11:24:20 · answer #5 · answered by superman6641 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋