One is 3 yrs old, and the other is almost 1yr old. They got along fine, in the beginning, with the older one being the boss, but now things seem to have changed!
The 3 year old, lately has become timid and almost afraid of the younger one, it is like she does not like the younger one now...
I think she is jealous but I am really worried because the older dog is not herself lately, and just wants to hide & sleep and she seems stressed.
I took her to the vet the other day and he said that I need to spend time with the older dog, alone and away from the younger one. Which is quite difficult when they both need and require my attention!
Any suggestions? Thanks!
2007-11-23 09:46:42 · 6 answers · asked by S V 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
They are both females... and I really don't want to consider relocating any of them I love them both to death!.. Thanks a bunch for the responses so far!
2007-11-23 18:32:49 · update #1
Sounds like you have roll reversal taking effect. Your dogs are re-establishing who is alpha in the pack.
You may have started it yourself.
If the older dog was alpha and you petted or fed the younger dog first...you showed preference to the younger dog and confused the pack order. When you have a dog, you should be the pack leader. You eat first, you go through a door first, start the walk first. etc. If you accidentally paid attention to the young dog first, she may be telling the older one to back off.
You need to establish yourself as pack leader. Take them both on walks,(and you may need to do them separate for a few times).
Put on the leash, put them in a sit position, You decide when the walk starts, you go out the door/or gate first,
Keep them, to your sides and just behind you. Do not let them lead (that means they are taking the leader roll).
Pull up on the lease immediately if they start to lead, put them back in a sit position and you decide when to start (after they calm down) You can also reverse your direction so that you are now in the lead. Use the pull up on the lease, stop and sit until calm, or reversal of direction until they get the idea of you are in control and you lead.
Since you are now pack leader they will both be followers and should get along better.
Lots of luck
2007-11-23 10:17:17 · answer #1 · answered by Lyn B 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
You can actually work on the problem with both of them. If you can change the way your older dog feels about the younger dog it will help. Get some super special treats and work on obedience training when they're together. The older dog should think that having the younger dog around gets you to pay attention to them and play 'games' and feed them treats. If the younger dog is harassing the older dog you need to stop and prevent it. Don't do it by punishing the dog, just redirect her and work on commands.
You can also take a few minutes to do this training separately with each dog as well. But make sure that any interactions your dogs have when they're together are good. If both dogs are female make sure that you monitor them. Females can be very aggressive with each, dangerously so.
www.fearfuldogs.com
2007-11-23 13:14:34 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Dogs have a pack order. At first, your older dog was the boss. Now that the younger one is about a year old, it is testing its way and trying to get to be the boss. If your older dog is becoming more timid, that is because the younger dog is winning.
When you have more than one dog, there is no telling how they will get along. With two, one may not like the other dog, or vice versa, or they both may not like each other. The chances of them getting along, statictically, are about 25%.
Either deal with the older dog's stress with more attention, or rehome the younger one and keep the older one as an only dog.
2007-11-23 10:04:10 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
is the youngster a male....if he is he needs to be neuterd if he isnt already. a younger dog can really upset an older one. they jump and bite and bark and just simply can be a major pain in the ***. if its a real problem you might consider finding a home for the youngster. if you think he is making life miserable for the older one then that is what I would do. in fact, i had to do that with my dobermans. the youngster was constantly getting beat up by the older one. he got scared and timid and shy..so i found someone that took him and he is doing great now. i go by and see him from time to time. it prolly would be the best for the both of them.
2007-11-23 09:58:58 · answer #4 · answered by placidfury 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have two dogs myself. It's difficult, but it is possible to spend good quality time with both dogs on an individual basis.
If you can't seem to find the time to do this, rearrange your schedule, get up a little sooner, go to bed a little later, etc, maybe you should consider finding a home for the younger one.
2007-11-23 10:02:22 · answer #5 · answered by bmoline 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
how about take care of bothof them or get a friend a play with them thake them to the dog park to see more dogs and have fun with both dogs not just one iam not being mean but iam just saying
2007-11-23 09:59:40 · answer #6 · answered by Shelly B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋