New Dog Not Assimilating With Existing Dog

495 Views 5 Replies 6 Participants Last post by Uncle Foster, Jan 21, 2022

marcarnold

Discussion Starter · Jan 19, 2022

3 days ago I adopted a 1.5 year old German Shepherd. She is a good dog, but my existing dog, a Rottweiler mix, keeps attacking her. I do not mean simple nipping and barking, I mean full-on, blood-drawing attacks. Yesterday, he had her pinned to the ground and was tearing at her ear. Last night, he attacked her again, but she drew blood on him that time. All-in-all they have fought every time I try to have them in the same area. Originally, we took them both to a neutral location and let them get acquainted. They did not get along great. We then tried in the back yard, they fought. We then tried the garage, they fought. We tried the house, bad idea... I am seriously concerned that they are going to injure each other pretty severely, and I am not certain how to handle it.

The new dog also does not like men (except me). She nipped at my father-in-law and has bitten my 20 year old son three times. I understand there needs to be a period of adjustment, but the last bite on my son drew blood, and that has me concerned. I trust my Rott implicitly around people of all ages, as he loves humans. The new dog has me concerned that, since I do not know her history, she might be a threat to people. If she bites my son, I don't know that I can trust her around the children and other adults that are regularly at our house.

I just need some advice here. My initial thought is that she will not work out, but I don't know. My other thought is that, since my Rott hates other animals, there might not be a viable option for a companion for him. He showed up at our house 5 years ago and has been a good dog, I just have NO trust for him around other animals. Based on the way he has attacked the other dog, I am now a bit concerned going forward that he might be a risk, but maybe I am overblowing the situation. Any advice would be appreciated.

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Toedtoes

· #2 · Jan 19, 2022

Take her back to the shelter/rescue. It's only been 3 days and there have been multiple serious negative interactions. It is far better for everyone, the shepherd included, to not be in this situation.

If you decide to adopt another dog, ALWAYS have your current dog meet them on neutral territory - shelters often have special "meet and greet runs". If it is "not going well", do not adopt the dog. A general nervousness in a shy dog is OK - as long as the other dog respects that. But any more than that, and it is not a good fit.

Inflicting pain and punishment on another creature for the purpose of control or sport is abuse - plain and simple.
“Compassion for animals is intimately associated with goodness of character, and it may be confidently asserted that he who is cruel to animals cannot be a good man.” ― Arthur Schopenhauer
“Animals are more than ever a test of our character, of mankind's capacity for empathy and for decent, honorable conduct and faithful stewardship. We are called to treat them with kindness, not because they have rights or power or some claim to equality, but in a sense because they don't; because they all stand unequal and powerless before us.” ― Matthew Scully
“The assumption that animals are without rights and the illusion that our treatment of them has no moral significance is a positively outrageous example of Western crudity and barbarity. Universal compassion is the only guarantee of morality.” ― Arthur Schopenhaur

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DaySleepers

· #3 · Jan 19, 2022

I'll be honest, it sounds like the only chance you'd have at making this work is to get a qualified, professional behaviorist with experience with dog- and animal aggression. And they still may tell you that this isn't a safe or manageable situation, because things really do sound difficult and, frankly, dangerous here. I would also guess that you're going to really struggle with the new dog learning to relax and trust people in your household while she's feeling like she might be attacked at any moment.

Are you able to completely separate these dogs with at least two barriers (eg two closed doors, a door and a baby gate, a crate and a door, etc.) at all times you aren't actively supervising them (and I mean 100% of your attention and focus is on them)? This would be the bare minimum to keep both dogs safe until you can get professional help. If you can't do this, or if you don't have the resources to get a qualified professional on board (and no shame in that, this is very possibly a situation where you could put in months or years of work and still never be able to trust them together), then the new dog needs to go back to the rescue or shelter. It sounds like your Rott may just be a one-dog-household personality.

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Lillith

· #4 · Jan 19, 2022

I have to agree with above, this sounds like a situation where I would take the Shepherd back to the shelter. It is difficult and stressful at best to deal with two dogs in the same household who truly want to hurt each other, and not fair to the dogs. This is a situation where a tiny slipup, a moment of inattention, can result in a major fight and injuries.

Keeping both dogs would mean a crate-and-rotate situation. They should never be together. They should be physically separated at all times. As Daysleepers said, even with professional help they may still say it's best to keep these dogs separated.

It's a lot of work to keep two dogs who don't get along, and you couldn't pay me any amount of money to do it. There is absolutely no shame in returning a dog that is not working out, especially with existing animals, to the shelter. Your Rott doesn't need a companion, either, and sounds like he would prefer to be alone, which is perfectly fine.

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Khecha Wacipi

· #5 · Jan 20, 2022

Having lived with someone who had to keep their two dogs completely separate at all times to avoid injury to one or the other, I can say this is really not what you want to sign up for. It is time consuming, very inconvenient, embarrassing to explain to guests, nerve-wracking, and requires constant attention. One slip up and there are vet bills and heartache. Don't go there. I agree with the above that your dog clearly doesn't want let alone need another dog for companionship.

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Uncle Foster

· #6 · Jan 21, 2022

Welcome to Dogforums,

Sounds like you are a one dog hpusehold.
Return the new dog.

Uncle Foster

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