Puppy Intros

[treegirl]

Just remember that dogs are pack animals and like other dogs around ---of thier 'own' pack, of course. I think most of the dogs who don't get along are dogs who are introduced at a much older age.

[JonD]

Samba, put them together and let em do thier thing. As stated before, dogs figure out their social order by themselves. Supervise it of course but even if they fight a bit, they'll soon work it out!!! (most times that is...)

[Samba]

Thanks, Jon.... well, I'm about to leave work so I'll take into considerations all your thoughts and ideas. I'll be sure to post the results tomorrow morning (when I get to work). If you have any last minute advice shoot before I go.

Thanks to all of you who replied, I've really enjoyed reading your thoughts...

Thanks again! =)

P.S. Jon - your avatar rocks! It's morbid, yet cool... I... can't...stop...watching...it... hehe =)

[JonD]

Originally posted by Samba

P.S. Jon - your avatar rocks! It's morbid, yet cool... I... can't...stop...watching...it... hehe =)

LoL yeah it amuses me for some strange reason

[Samba]

Well, unfortunately I have no update for the puppies... my sis was unable to make it yesturday with Cedar. (She's holding on to her until we can determine if the dogs will get along... We are going to try today... so I will post an update soon... Thanks again! =)

[LISA127]

Just keep in mind that two female dogs fighting is a lot more serious than two male dogs fighting. Males may fight more often, but a fight between two females is much more serious and more likely to result in injuries. Though with the pup being so young that is not going to be a problem right now.
I disagree with the person who said to teach your dog not to growl. Growling is a way of communicating for a dog. It is a way of saying that something is bothering him/her, telling another animal to back off, etc. It's a warning. Much better than a dog that does not give a warning and just bites or attacks. Dogs can not talk with words, why take away their communication? Now if you have a good relationship with your dog and your are the leader, then you're dog should not be growling at YOU. But why on earth would you want to teach your dog to never growl??

[JonD]

Lisa, I agree with letting your dog growl, but you don't mention anything about friendly growling at play.. Most dogs do it and it isn't meant to be threatening at all. Mostly just them being vocal..

[Cruciform]

If S80 has a doggie beg, and you have a kennel cage available for the puppy, let the puppy sleep with S80s dog bed for a couple of nights to acclimate to the smell. Then leave her (in the cage) for a day around S80, but give her a place to hide so she doesn't stress out totally, having no place to retreat if she feels threatened.

She'll probably be fine in a day or two, and then able to run free

This has worked with cats anyway, might go differently with dogs

[Samba]

Thanks guys, I now have an update...

Yesturday, my sister brought the puppy to where I work... I thought that Cedar would be intimidated, but she quickly opened up to all the attention from my co-workers. We then left and visited a PetStore that is located across the street... since it was the middle of the afternoon I figured there would not be as many people and animals there.

Upon entering the building (Cedar had to be carried), there was a GIANT white shepard there to greet the customers. I was surprised at the difference in reaction by Cedar. Instead of growling and being defensive as she was with S80, she was submissive, then playful after all the sniffing had been done. In fact, I had a hard time getting her away from that big, friendly, dog. Since we were there to find a cage muzzle for S80 (in case she decided to bite the pup), we walked around for a bit and she met other dogs and people, including another pup. Long story short, I didn't buy the muzzle, and my sister and I left to go home, where S80 was waiting.

I instructed my sister to stay with Cedar on the sidewalk in front of the house while I leashed S80. S80 and I walked over, and, (as I suspected), she took a few wiffs of the pup and was ready to go on a walk. We walked a bit with nothing remarkable to mention.

BUT, when we came back home, both the dogs were doing so well, that I decided to give them treats. I had to planned to give each a treat at the same time. I broke a bone in half and offered to each dog simultaneously. Cedar's half fell out of my hands while she was trying to grab it from me, and S80 reached her paw out to grab it... then Cedar immeadiately began snarling at her. I must say it was quite impressive to see and hear the pup doing this. S80 sat quietly, focused on the pup... I think she was a bit surprised, too! After it was over, the pup continued to snarl and growl at S80 whenever she came near. She really held a grudge, so I guess Cedar percieved being locked inside my apartment (while I picked up Trevor from work) as punishment. When we came back home and opened the door she flew out of the apartment, wiggling and wagging; happy to see everyone, even to S80.

Because it's cold outside we elected to keep the pup indoors to sleep with us. We thought the night was uneventful but then we discovered a pile of crap on the kitchen floor... ahh the joys of housebreaking!

Trevor took Cedar to work this morning to further her socialization, and he called not too long ago just to tell me she's doing well.

Well, that was a long and boring story, huh?

The only concerns I have now is that S80 is sure to discipline the pup when she gets out of hand. S80 tends to 'rush' the pup with her mouth open, but doesn't actually bite... she just places her mouth on the pup's body, I guess as a warning or something. An example; S80 knows that when she's inside she is not allowed on the couch. Cedar started to climb on the couch at one point, and S80 rushed over placed her open mouth over the pup's withers and emitted a sort of low growl. The pup got down and they were friends again.

I hope to enroll both dogs in a training program where they can learn and play together.

Well, thanks for reading my book! LOL =)

[capsicum]

Sounds great Samba Sounds to me that S80 is mothering the pup and putting her into her place I had a tiny chi x female do that to a doberman adult

Congrats again, and enjoy!

TK

[snakelet]

FWIW, I've been told by numerous people (including the breeder I got my dog from) that if you want two dogs to meet, don't do it while they are leashed. Apparently being leashed causes the dogs to be much more defensive because they can't get into the regular submissive or dominant postures (stuff we usually can't even notice). Just my 0.02.

[ydnic]

Snaklet that is totally true - dogs have an auto pecking order and to establish that they need to not be restrained
its sounds like you are doing a good job samba - and don`t worry if they do argue because it is usually more sounds than anything

[LISA127]

Snakelet, you are exactly right. My dog is defensive with other dogs while on leash, but loves them off leash. That's very common.

[Samba]

Thank you, well, on the sidewalk they were both leashed, but not held back in any way, there was plenty of slack for them to do what they needed. If my dogs were gonna have it out I just needed to be able to pull them back without sending my hands into a fight, know what I mean? I knew S80 would be interested in being out of the yard, and going for her walk. Besides, she'll totally take off if not leashed, and I'm still trying to figure out how to break her of that. She comes to me when called, but only if leashed, or inside the apartment.

Yesturday, Cedar seems to be taking a much more submissive posture when greeting S80, but after awhile becomes a little more assertive. I will continue to let S80 'correct' her while under supervision. (They are not allowed to spend time together alone yet). I took some great photos of S80 and Cedar last night in part of our yard, I hope to post them soon... (Since they were taken with a regular 35mm I have to have the photos scanned and saved on a disk before I can post them. I understand Wal-Mart does this reasonably cheap??) We'll see! =)

[JonD]

Glad to hear it's working out for ya!!!