Dog tips tricks

[a_kelley]

Any tips or tricks to get an older (Gwen - 5yr, pit something mix) acclimated and friendly to a new (chance originally, will get renamed.. 8mo husky/lab) dog that we recently took in?

Initially, Gwen didn't like him at all and would try to attack chance, though I think she was actually scared of him(tail tucked hard under her, shaking) more than anything else. We had her muzzled, and chance just wanted to play (bow with tail wagging).. that was yesterday.. today he wanted to play tug with her with a sock, she wanted none of it. While he was playing tug with my oldest daughter, she came over and started checking him out, so I think she is starting to become accustomed to him.

Pics.

Gwen used to have a buddy, named luk(lab Chow about the size of chance), but luk was 6 when we got Gwen as a 3-6 mo pup. Gwen is highly territorial and won't play with any toys or anything.. will not let new people pet her unless they spend significant time over & she likes them. Usually wife and I are pretty good about getting dogs trained and acclimated, just wondering if anyone's got some suggestions. (Me, I've become friends with many dogs and have little fear of them, regardless how mean they may seem. I've made friends with people's dogs they said would bite any one but family that lives at the house.. thirty minutes, the dog was all over me wanting attention & I can come in their house now with little concern - if they're home. Not sure I'd try when they're not home, but still)

 

[R Q]

Keep a tight leash on them with your kids. Territorial is guarding and can become defensive and in a split second biting and attacking. Introducing animals should always be done slow and easy, even only for a few minutes or hours at a time... but that's not how things work out usually...lol

 

[a_kelley]

Keep a tight leash on them with your kids. Territorial is guarding and can become defensive and in a split second biting and attacking. Introducing animals should always be done slow and easy, even only for a few minutes or hours at a time... but that's not how things work out usually...lol

for sure. Gwen has never bit any our immediate family, and seems to be becoming used to chance.. they can be a foot apart now with no aggression on her part - though any closer and she's mean. I suspect she'll get nicer over the next few days.. maybe a week before their tight friends.

 

[LT1JEEP]

They will get better with time we got a lab pup in June to go with our other 2 labs. At first hey would growl and snip at her and now they get along pretty good with the occasional growl at her want to play with them when they are wanting to sleep. One is 10 1/2 years old the other is 6 1/2 years old. We just kelp a eye on them at first and tell them to be good and get along. They just have to set up their pecking order among their self.

 

[UTfball68]

It’s a pack dominance scenario. Right off the bat, I always like to remind them I’m the alpha and flip them both on their back side by side, holding them by the throat. It’s what the alpha of the pack would do in the wild if pack hierarchy is challenged. Then anytime behavior is exhibited that I don’t like, a quick shot/poke to the neck or on the hindquarters. Every so often toss in flipping the offending dog on its back. Just like parenting, if there’s behavior you don’t like, there are negative consequences and you’re responsible for enforcing them...dogs just don’t understand being grounded and tend to have more barbaric methods. Edit...also when good behavior is exhibited, some form of positive reinforcement is given, treats or petting or whatever.

 

[a_kelley]

I've bit both luk and Gwen before. I guess it's time to again. A little nip on the ear till they Yelp seemed to work. I do like @UTfball68 idea of reasserting our dominance..

Gwen had been acting like a little bitch until later today.. I think she's starting to realize Chance isn't trying to fight, he just wants to play. I do still miss luk.. chance isn't luk but I think he'll be a good pup.

 

[83oldyoda4x4]

I have heard some people say take them both on a walk together, away from the house. That way the older dog doesn't feel the need to defend their territory.

We go through this same thing , when my parents watch our dogs when we are out of town. Their blue heeler, wants nothing to do with new dogs. Usually goes and hides on the back porch.

 

[JSJJ388]

Growing up we were always picking up strays. Show them youre in charge and let them sort out the rest. Im gonna follow this as it seems we may have a new addition to our fur family.

 

[Halftrac]

Amen on the Alpha Beta set up. We had wolf mixes Im Alpha Female Tank is Alpha Male. I would walk them together me an Tank then after a few walks just me or him. We have quiet a few mix breeds here that we have had to get together with each other. Walks talks an belly rubs.

 

[junkxj]

It’s a pack dominance scenario. Right off the bat, I always like to remind them I’m the alpha and flip them both on their back side by side, holding them by the throat. It’s what the alpha of the pack would do in the wild if pack hierarchy is challenged. Then anytime behavior is exhibited that I don’t like, a quick shot/poke to the neck or on the hindquarters. Every so often toss in flipping the offending dog on its back. Just like parenting, if there’s behavior you don’t like, there are negative consequences and you’re responsible for enforcing them...dogs just don’t understand being grounded and tend to have more barbaric methods. Edit...also when good behavior is exhibited, some form of positive reinforcement is given, treats or petting or whatever.

I've bit both luk and Gwen before. I guess it's time to again. A little nip on the ear till they Yelp seemed to work. I do like @UTfball68 idea of reasserting our dominance..

Gwen had been acting like a little bitch until later today.. I think she's starting to realize Chance isn't trying to fight, he just wants to play. I do still miss luk.. chance isn't luk but I think he'll be a good pup.

Good call, try reducing aggressive behavior by being aggressive toward the dogs....

Absolutely retarded!

 

[junkxj]

I have heard some people say take them both on a walk together, away from the house. That way the older dog doesn't feel the need to defend their territory.

We go through this same thing , when my parents watch our dogs when we are out of town. Their blue heeler, wants nothing to do with new dogs. Usually goes and hides on the back porch.

Smart man!

 

[a_kelley]

Good call, try reducing aggressive behavior by being aggressive toward the dogs....

Absolutely retarded!

it does seem counter-intuitive, unless you happen to be a dog.. that's the way they settle dominant roles in a pack. No, we are not advocating abusing the dogs, just simply reminding them that the owner is alpha. The dogs will still settle their own pecking order, but that reminder that you're top dog is enough to keep them from doing harm to each other in sorting it out. Also, it helps to reinforce that when you give a command for them to obey, or there are negative consequences. Truth be told, when I bite my dog, it's not enough to leave a bruise, much less break skin... It's not often, just once in a great while when they need a reminder for acting out. Besides, dog fur isn't easy to get out my mouth lol. Only ever had to bite luk one time and he knew who was alpha, but he was a Chow/lab.. with Chow character. Stubborn as the day is long, but equally loyal. Gwen and Chance (wife wants to call him Cain now, I don't like it though but whatever) are getting along better.. they're getting within 18" of each other face to face, so I guess Gwen is getting accustomed to him.. she did scare him away from his food after she wolfed hers down this morning.. chance, though bigger than her, wants nothing to do with her aggression (though it's because she's scared of him, or wants to be above him).. I'm near certain he doesn't have a mean bone in his body... He's sensitive, if you will... skittish. Loud or unexpected noise, he's surprised and backing off. I'm not sure what prior people that had him treated him like, but I'll bet they tied him out, or stuck him in the kennel & limited people interaction. (Certainly never walked, or trained) Part of the reason I decided to take him in. Heck, when the people we got him from asked where the dog was... Oh well we let him out, I'm sure where he is.. smdh. no way to treat any pet.

 

[a_kelley]

I have heard some people say take them both on a walk together, away from the house. That way the older dog doesn't feel the need to defend their territory.

We go through this same thing , when my parents watch our dogs when we are out of town. Their blue heeler, wants nothing to do with new dogs. Usually goes and hides on the back porch.

Gwen acts the same way, even away from the house.. except away from the house, she's aggressive but will hide behind her nearest trusted human.. even when it's another human trying to even just get near to her. Gwen has issues. We think her litter mates got killed or injured by a lawn mower, she hates them. (Where wife got her, dogs were outside, chained up, pups were free to roam and a field next door.. not cool) I guess you'll have that taking in "free" animals that aren't wanted & need homes.

 

[UTfball68]

Good call, try reducing aggressive behavior by being aggressive toward the dogs....

Absolutely retarded!

Is this the dog equivalent to a ‘spanking a child’ discussion??? But I’m always down for education and alternative methodology...so go ahead and tell me what’s happening in this pack dynamic and what the dog will respond to naturally and instinctively??? When you discipline your dog, do you have a time out crate or something?

 

[Mac5005]

You can also show dominance by holding them laying down. Don’t let them get up. Don’t hold them tight, as to raise anxiety, but surround them. Kind of in the crawl position. While doing so, pet their head and rub ears to ease anxiety. Talk sweetly softly to them to show them everything is ok.

Just do not let them get up when they try. This shows that you are dominant as they can only get up once they stop trying, and you decide when it’s ok.

Also spit on their food. This gets the smell of your saliva on their food. It shows them that you eat first. Again to show dominance. The alpha always gets to eat first. By spitting on their food, they associate the smell of you, with the alpha.


Anytime a new dog is around, and brought into the family, it challenges the pack dynamics. Show that you are still dominant without having to display aggression to do so. They will pick up on both points you are making. 1) aggression isn’t always necessary for dominance, and 2) you are still the boss.

Between the two, they will have to work out their position in the pack.

It took about 6-8 months for our GSD to really get used to having her little husky brother.

The husky would copy and imitate everything the GSD did. The husky could smell and understand that the GSD has already been in the family and imitated what she did as to try to fit in with the family.

The husky drive to satisfy us meant he imitated the GSD thinking he should be like her for us to accept him.

We adopted the husky 3 years ago and now him and the GSD are inseparable. They aren’t all cuddle buddies but after a year they both really figured each other out.

Now, both of them have anxiety when separated. They still both run and growl and wrestle with each other in yard daily, but it’s nothing serious and only play.

We were very careful to watch and make sure the other one stops when one yelps “uncle”. Now they trade back and forth being the submissive one while wrestling and running around. The GSD weighs 2x the husky but the husky can turn sharper.

Also keep working on command training now with 2 dogs. It reinforces that you are in control, whole reinforces the commands, and positive rewards for behavior. It also is a good way to distract both dogs if they get wrapped up in fighting/playing/wrestling a bit too much.

I focus on one command each week. The new dog will pick up quicker on commands and will word associate much quicker watching the other dog.

 

[Jody Treadway]

Keep them tired. Tired dogs make happy owners.
Walk them on leash on neutral territory where there won't be any guarding. This will be a great bonding exercise for them.
Demonstrate your dominance by firmly, but without harm, holding the offending pup down on their side until they no longer attempt to get up.

When my wife and I began dating, her 140# malamute didn't like having me around. She warned me he would "test" me at some point. When he did, I put him on his side and held him down until he quit trying to get up. Took a while, but that was all it took. Until his last breath he recognized me as his master and was my best buddy.

 

[rockcity]

It’s a pack dominance scenario. Right off the bat, I always like to remind them I’m the alpha and flip them both on their back side by side, holding them by the throat. It’s what the alpha of the pack would do in the wild if pack hierarchy is challenged. Then anytime behavior is exhibited that I don’t like, a quick shot/poke to the neck or on the hindquarters. Every so often toss in flipping the offending dog on its back. Just like parenting, if there’s behavior you don’t like, there are negative consequences and you’re responsible for enforcing them...dogs just don’t understand being grounded and tend to have more barbaric methods. Edit...also when good behavior is exhibited, some form of positive reinforcement is given, treats or petting or whatever.

This 100%.

it works. It worked when I had 2 male labs from the same litter and it works with my new lab puppy. I do it and my kids do it so the dog knows he is not the alpha. He tests it occasionally with my wife and the girls but when I’m around, not at all. The girls are still working on it with him.

one thing we also do is once we feed him, at least 50% of the time we take the bowl of food away partially through him eating. He sits patiently waiting for it to return. Then after a minute we give it back. This is something you do from the beginning. If you try it after the dog is older, you are asking to get bit.

everyone has their ways that work. Some better than others. Try them all out and see what works. Like children, learning is never the same for all, so try out several things and use what works. Labs and some other dogs are hard headed, so don’t give up if it doesn’t work initially. And absolutely don’t be afraid to be physical if need be. The dog is an animal and that’s how they interact. He isn’t going to understand time out in a corner with a dunce cap.

 

[Mac5005]

And don’t make their crate the punishment spot, then they won’t like the command to go there.

Their crate should be a safe happy place, not a time out zone.

 

[UTfball68]

This 100%.

it works. It worked when I had 2 male labs from the same litter and it works with my new lab puppy. I do it and my kids do it so the dog knows he is not the alpha. He tests it occasionally with my wife and the girls but when I’m around, not at all. The girls are still working on it with him.

one thing we also do is once we feed him, at least 50% of the time we take the bowl of food away partially through him eating. He sits patiently waiting for it to return. Then after a minute we give it back. This is something you do from the beginning. If you try it after the dog is older, you are asking to get bit.

everyone has their ways that work. Some better than others. Try them all out and see what works. Like children, learning is never the same for all, so try out several things and use what works. Labs and some other dogs are hard headed, so don’t give up if it doesn’t work initially. And absolutely don’t be afraid to be physical if need be. The dog is an animal and that’s how they interact. He isn’t going to understand time out in a corner with a dunce cap.

Couldn't agree more, I have dogs that are bigger and weigh more than most people. I also have a 2.5 year old and a 1 year old that the dogs know outrank them. Things a 50lb dog can get away with, a 150-200lb dog can't. I have no use for a dog that I can't trust...that aren't going to react when my 1 year old pulls the toy out of their mouth, or that my dogs are going to back up from the food/water bowl and sit while my toddler decides she wants to make a mess, and in most instances they'll flip themselves on their backs if my kids walk by. I like dogs, I really do, but if I can't get that from a dog...I'm not going to trust it. But again it's similar to parenting, I don't blame the dog, and no dog owner will ever admit their dog has shit behavior.

 

[JSJJ388]

So what is the suggestion for a dog that was likely abused? Hes very skiddish and is petrified of even our little 18 lb heeler mutt. Hes huge, but hes so scared of everything. So far he hasnt done anything terribly bad, just got into some of our old clothes in the garage. Im not sure how to approach disciplining a dog in this condition.

 

[UTfball68]

So what is the suggestion for a dog that was likely abused? Hes very skiddish and is petrified of even our little 18 lb heeler mutt. Hes huge, but hes so scared of everything. So far he hasnt done anything terribly bad, just got into some of our old clothes in the garage. Im not sure how to approach disciplining a dog in this condition.

It adds another dynamic...but overall same thing. On a personal level, I tend to give more leniency up front, establish that bond/trust with the dog, and I usually try to be over the top with positive reinforcement with voice commands. But at some point, I believe, you still need to establish you’re the alpha. I also believe as a dog owner you still have to be cognizant of the environment, sometimes it’s just not a good fit. When I was a single guy, I thought I could save any dog that came in my house, and usually felt pretty good about myself until I’d get bit (Only happened a couple times)...that risk isn’t worth it any more to me with kids.

 

[Mac5005]

So what is the suggestion for a dog that was likely abused? Hes very skiddish and is petrified of even our little 18 lb heeler mutt. Hes huge, but hes so scared of everything. So far he hasnt done anything terribly bad, just got into some of our old clothes in the garage. Im not sure how to approach disciplining a dog in this condition.

You must build trust first. General activities help that tremendously. Walks, hikes, car rides, etc. builds trust while burning energy.