[Bonn1997]

How do I know when that's no longer necessary? I've been describing my experiences after getting a 2nd dog in this thread:
http://www.dogforums.com/8-dog-pictures-forum/52022-i-got-another-rescue.html

Basically, one is a 2 year old Cavalier mix and the other is a surprisingly calm and sweet 7 1/2 year old Jack Russell Terrier. Both are females. They had three aggressive episodes on Saturday (their first full day together). All episodes centered around food or dog bones or dog toys. The episodes looked like clear fighting, not playing--there was loud, intense growling and their body movements indicated malicious intent in my opinion. Ever since I've separated them when eating and picked up all the toys/bones, however, they've been living together peacefully. They've even started to briefly play with each other. This is still only day 3 together but I saw no signs of aggression yesterday or so far today.

I'm asking in part because Lucky (the JRT) seems to hate being locked up in my bedroom. She jumps on and scratches against the door and starts whining. I also think they could bond more if they spent more time together. However, I'd hate to come home and find one or both really bloody and injured from a fight. I appreciate your advice.

 

[Foyerhawk]

Since they've had some issues of snapping at eachother, I probably would. Better safe than sorry. I would crate the new dog in the same room.

 

[FourIsCompany]

I read your other thread, too. I wouldn't leave them unattended together just yet. But I think I might crate them in the same room (I see Foyerhawk made this suggestion, too), so they get used to being in the same space while you're gone. That way, they can have toys and treats in the presence of the other one without the threat of it being stolen.

What I would do is spend some time with them when they both have toys or bones and teach them that it's NOT ok to steal from each other or even approach each other with they've got a treasure like a bone, treat or toy.

It may be a couple more weeks before I would feel comfy with them together, and then, I wouldn't leave a treasure to fight over. Fortunately, it sounds like things are getting better and will eventually mellow out. If you feel uncomfortable about them being together, it's probably because you know it's too soon.

Do you walk them together? It's VERY important to do that to form the identity of a family.

Good luck. Both of your pups are adorable!

 

[Bonn1997]

I read your other thread, too. I wouldn't leave them unattended together just yet. But I think I might crate them in the same room (I see Foyerhawk made this suggestion, too), so they get used to being in the same space while you're gone. That way, they can have toys and treats in the presence of the other one without the threat of it being stolen.

What I would do is spend some time with them when they both have toys or bones and teach them that it's NOT ok to steal from each other or even approach each other with they've got a treasure like a bone, treat or toy.

It may be a couple more weeks before I would feel comfy with them together, and then, I wouldn't leave a treasure to fight over. Fortunately, it sounds like things are getting better and will eventually mellow out. If you feel uncomfortable about them being together, it's probably because you know it's too soon.

Do you walk them together? It's VERY important to do that to form the identity of a family.

Good luck. Both of your pups are adorable!

Thanks for the advice. It definitely sounds reasonable. Right now, I'm not walking them together. When I tried to walk them together, Chance would try to pull both of us and the hard tugging was choking Lucky because they were connected with a leash attachment. A neighbor recommended getting a "sporn leash" that will let me correct Chance by pulling on the leash without correcting Lucky. Chance doesn't pull much when it's just her and me walking. However, she's a lot younger and bigger (with longer legs) than Lucky and she likes to walk a lot faster. I'm not sure we'd be able to find a walking speed that works for both of them. All of that said, I would LOVE to walk them together. Any advice you have would be great. Thanks.

 

[FourIsCompany]

I use a no-pull harness and recommend them highly. The hook is in the front, so it's very hard to pull. I can walk all 4 of my large dogs together, no problem. 4 leashes. And just a hint: I set the speed. We walk at a speed that works for ME.

Even if you have to walk them separately for Chance to get enough exercise, they should be walked together in addition to their separate walks, at least once a day, even for a 10 minute walk.

I'll be interested to hear how it goes.

 

[Bonn1997]

One more question: How can I play fetch with Lucky? Whenever I throw a toy, it's clear she wants to get it but Chance is quicker and always beats her to it. Obviously I could lock Chance in another room but that seems unfair to her.

 

[canteloupe]

Could you throw two at the same time?

 

[Bonn1997]

Could you throw two at the same time?

Hmmm. That's a really good idea!

 

[Spicy1_VV]

I do with mine.

 

[poodleholic]

Thanks for the advice. It definitely sounds reasonable. Right now, I'm not walking them together. When I tried to walk them together, Chance would try to pull both of us and the hard tugging was choking Lucky because they were connected with a leash attachment. A neighbor recommended getting a "sporn leash" that will let me correct Chance by pulling on the leash without correcting Lucky. Chance doesn't pull much when it's just her and me walking. However, she's a lot younger and bigger (with longer legs) than Lucky and she likes to walk a lot faster. I'm not sure we'd be able to find a walking speed that works for both of them. All of that said, I would LOVE to walk them together. Any advice you have would be great. Thanks.

I walk 4 dogs at one time. 2 adult Standard Poodles (50 lbs., 72 lbs.), 1 SPoodle puppy (32 lbs.), and 1 Shih Tzu. I do not use couplers; each dog has a leash attached to a collar. Each dog has been trained individually to walk nicely on lead, although I must admit that the other dogs helped teach the new puppy about manners while out on a walk (no zig zagging or leaps and "shark bites!"). They walk well together, despite the age and size differences, adjusting the pace when necessary (even for mom!).

 

[DogPaw]

If it were me I would never trust them to be out alone together. When males fight they seem to get over it, females have been known to fight until one is dead.

I had 2 females that hated each other. I could never leave them alone in the same room. They had some vicious fights. We worked with them for over a year with a trainer and they just could never seem to get along. Even if they had gotten to where they would tolerate each other I was to afraid to leave them alone in fear that they would get into a fight. And with no one there to stop it, well I hate to think what would of happened.

Good luck.

 

[Bonn1997]

I'm wondering if Lucky would prefer to be crated overnight. In general, she seems quite used to be crated. I crate her when I'm leaving the house and she doesn't complain at all. At night, she always sleeps under my bed with her body up against the wall, which makes me think she's looking for a tightly enclosed space. However, I feel like crating her for 8-9 hours would be such a long time. (I usually watch TV and unwind before going to sleep.) What do you think? Is it unfair to her if I crate her but don't crate Chance? Chance HATES being crated, although that is something I'm very gradually working on with her. Thanks for your advice!

 

[Mac'N'Roe]

One more question: How can I play fetch with Lucky? Whenever I throw a toy, it's clear she wants to get it but Chance is quicker and always beats her to it. Obviously I could lock Chance in another room but that seems unfair to her.

Given that they are exhibiting resource guarding behaviors (fighting in the presense of toys), this could be the start of a fight. Please play this type of game with them SEPARATELY. Crate on and play with the other. You don't want to have them competing to get to the ball first...bad idea in my opinion.

Even with two, you must be able to ensure that one wouldn't go after the "wrong" one, which could take some training. I would move up to that slowly.

AND, I would DEFINITELY separate them, as you are not there to control the environment. You don't know what they might decide to fight over. DEFINITELY separate when you are gone.

 

[Bonn1997]

Update: Things are going pretty well between Lucky and Chance. They never fight now. I can leave them alone with toys and bones on the floor and they're fine. They don't really play with each other as much as I'd hoped they would but every once in a while they lick and sniff each other, which is cute. Lucky likes to lick Chance's face for several minutes actually.

The other day something really touching happend, though. My neighbor's schipperke (Bebe) was playing too aggressively with Lucky (nipping on her butt) and lucky (who is the smallest of the of the three dogs and over-matched by Bebe) didn't like it and started growling. Then Chance (the biggest of the three dogs) came sprinting over from the other side of the yard and stood right in front of Lucky to block Bebe. It seemed like Chance was saying, "That's my little girl. If you want to pick on her, you have to go through me first!" Before this incident, I wasn't really sure if Chance even liked Lucky. That's why I was so touched by what happened.

 

[Sadiedoglady]

Lovely update. How did you get this to happen. I have just adopted a 2nd dog and see some issues with toys but dont really want to remove all toys and was hoping you had some tips pls

 

[DaySleepers]

This update was from more than twelve years ago, and the original poster hasn't been active on the forum in a very long time. I'm closing this thread to further replies, but please start your own thread about your pups and the issues you're having with toys, and our currently active members will help you out however they can!