Old dog doesn't care for the new dog.

775 Views 6 Replies 4 Participants Last post by Erin1979, Jul 17, 2012

Erin1979

Discussion Starter · Jul 17, 2012

I adopted our small Scottish Terrier mix (Bo) from the shelter two years ago, he was found as a stray in company of a Labrador. Bo has always done great with other dogs and always eager to play when we have gone to dog parks or while he was in obedience school.
I thought he wouldn't mind when I brought home a 3 year old Labrador (Boyd) over the weekend.
I don't know if it's a dominance thing or maybe because the new dog is in his territory, but Bo has been somewhat aggressive towards Boyd.
He barks, growls and snaps at him, although Boyd outweighs him by 60lbs. Bo gets really upset when Boyd and I are playing or when Boyd comes to me for scratches. Bo acts like he is protecting us.
Boyd on the other hand ignores Bo, when Bo is growling at him, Boyd ignores him and walks away. Bo tried to jump on Boyd's back on the first day and he just walked off, which I think made Bo mad.
Boyd was raised with a Miniature Pinscher, who always hated him and would constantly bite at him, so unfortunately I think Boyd is used to being picked on.

I've never been in this situation before and I don't know which steps I need to take. I would appreciate some advice before someone gets hurt. So far I've just been separating them when Bo gets out of control. I'm not showing any favoritism towards one or the other and Bo is not getting any less attention than he previously did.

Both boys are neutered and the same age.

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spotted nikes

· #2 · Jul 17, 2012

Walk them briskly together twice a day for about 30 min each time. No stopping to sniff.

Feed separately to avoid resource guarding.

Always supervise when together, and look for body language that shows one is getting aggressive. Hard stares, hard stance, stiff tail, curled lip. Remove that dog before he can attack. You need to be the other dog's protector, and let him know that you will keep him safe.Even if it doesn't seem to bother him now, eventually if you don't intervene, he will retaliate.

Don't leave them together unsupervised.

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spotted nikes

· #6 · Jul 17, 2012

Institute NILIF for both dogs. It will give them both confidence when they know what to expect, and help with the guarding of Bo. You absolutely need to be walking them both briskly together twice a day. Excess energy feeds anxiety and aggression. The bonding that occurs on walks really does help as well. learn body language to avert any incidents before they happen. Each time they can reach the fight stage (or Bo attacking the other) it reinforces the behavior and teaches the other you won't protect him, and he will eventually retaliate.

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