I rescued this new dog from the pound today. She's great, except she snarls at our puppy if he gets too close or wants to play when she doesn't. I just took her home tonight. Our puppy is like 10* her size but I didn't think it would be THAT bad! As crazy as it sounds, I am totally broken up about it and don't want to lose my new dog. She's perfect except for the fact she snarls at our pup. Should I get rid of her?
2007-02-12 13:27:26 · 28 answers · asked by sara 4 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Good for you for rescuing a dog from a shelter.
I would give both dogs a while about a week or two, let them figure things out try not to get involved so much only when necessary.
Check out this site http://becomedogsavvy.com
Anne is a very reputable dog trainer she may be able to assist you with the transition of the dog from the pound.
I wish you all the luck but please don't give up and just keep researching and asking questions.
2007-02-12 13:37:41 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I am zoiberg's fiancée, the puppy we have is a German shepherd, the new dog is older probably about 1-2yrs. Part of my worries is that the new dog is like 8 pounds, its some kinda yorkie.. our puppy is in the range of 20-30 pounds and is only 4 months old.
Most of these answers have been helpful, there was one however, that really made no sense. How should we know what a dogs reaction to another dog is going to be? thats like taking a Vietnam vet and puting him in a room with a bunch of Vietnamis people.
Thank you to those who actually had something constructive to add.
2007-02-12 14:34:30 · answer #2 · answered by David K 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you just brought her home today, she is probably very nervous, and unsure of her surroundings. She lost her original owners, she ended up in a cage for a while, and now she is in a new home with a new dog. And there is no way to explain to her what is going on. I think you need to give her some time to relax and get comfortable in her new home. Introduce the dogs SLOWLY. Find information on the best way to do this. But do not leave them alone together unsupervised until you are SURE they get along great, and love each other.
When i first brought my new kitten home, my older cat hated her, and would try to attack her. We would only let them around each other when we could watch. it took a few weeks, but now they are best friends... sleep with each other, groom each other, and couldn't live without each other. Just give them some time, I'm sure they will get used to each other, and eventually love each other. Good Luck, i hope everything works out for the best.
2007-02-12 13:40:14 · answer #3 · answered by Stark 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't judge her behavior tonight on what she will be like in the future! She is scared out of her mind, been through a traumatic period of time in the pound, and has been thrust into a new family with a puppy. If she isn't a basket case then she's a saint!
Give her a few weeks to adjust to everything. Let her become part of the family - then you will see her new personality. If you can, for a few nights, keep her and the puppy separated to give her and the pup a restful night (you too)!
2007-02-12 13:31:44 · answer #4 · answered by dressage.rider 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Give it a little time. When dogs are introduced to each other they have to find a balance as to which dog is more dominant. Sometimes that means fights, but other times it is only displays of dominance. Things may work out - just keep a eye on the two of them - see how their relationship develops. There may come a time that you have to give up on the older dog - there are dogs that have to be in one-dog households - I am surprised the pound didn't have you bring in your pup to see if they got along BEFORE you adopted the older one.
2007-02-12 18:17:45 · answer #5 · answered by Suzanne 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't jump to conclusions yet. My parents dog was terrible with their new puppy at first. Just watch them together for a while. She may just need to adjust, and isn't quite ready to play yet. Dogs are a lot like small children, they need time to adjust to new environments. If I were you, I would keep them separated when there is no one with them, and when you are home with them put them around each other as much as possible, but start teaching the puppy to leave her alone. Give it a week or two and see how it works out.
2007-02-12 13:36:21 · answer #6 · answered by jel29dog 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
shes feeling like a kid in a new school show her you care a bout her as much as the pup play with her and the pup together and slightly scold her for snarling when she does it hopefully you can get her over this she needs a good home not the pound
2007-02-12 13:55:04 · answer #7 · answered by Joseph M 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
my aunt deals with things like this. She resuces and cares for animals alot, she's had 24 at a time of cats/dogs. She usually keeps them seperated, not letting them see each other(keeping the new one in a enclosed room with no view to the other animals). Give both a blanket or toy to allow them to get their sent on the object. After a good few days of play/laying on switch the toys or items out with each animal so they will smell each others scent. She did this for a good week so they would know each others scent, she would bring them together but under supervision she wouldnt let let be alone until she felt that they were comfy with each other. Works good for cats also, but the trick is NOT to let them see each other before the scent swap item/toy. I cant promise anything on this. Just keep an eye on each other
2007-02-12 13:41:40 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
i had the same think happen with my two dogs.. except my new puppy was about 2lbs and my first dog was about 15lbs. my first dog would growl and try to bite him anytime he came near her! what helped for me was walking them together. it sounds weird but it works and i am sure they would both love the exercise (esp. the puppy!) something about walking them kind of makes them feel like a pack and they will bond much quicker. also a tired dog is alot less likely to want to pick a fight... it may just be she is scared in a new place and not use to a big rowdy puppy.. give it time! good luck!
2007-02-12 17:05:24 · answer #9 · answered by ? 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Try to talk to a dog trainer. You could ask advice from one at your local petsmart. Maybe you could even take them to a couple of classes. Dog trainers help many times in introducing new dogs to one another and help them become aquiainted. It also may be as simple as a dog establishing dominancy or jealousy. Show them equal amounts of attention and do not try to force them together they will work it out in their own way. Watch the Dog Whisperer.
2007-02-12 15:10:08 · answer #10 · answered by luawai 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋