help...transition to a multi pooch family

[CBear]

We have a 2 yr old yorkie, Charlie and this weekend we are welcoming Harry, my mom's 5 year old Pom to come live with us.

The boys (both neutered) have spent holidays and long weekends together before and get along well. But I am a bit nervous about managing them both for more than a few days, and about Charlie's transition from being an only-child. He has shown agression to other dogs about his food/ treats/ toys and while we have managed it without incident before we need to teach him that not everything is his only while he and Harry figure out the Pack order.

Any advice other parents of packs can provide would be helpful!!

Look forward to this new chapter and posting pics of the boys together soon.

[SWHouston]

When the new guy gets there, it's a different environment, so I don't think his expectations will be so well defined, as when he was at "home".

But, if you have to leave, close one or both off in separate areas, just until you get back.

[gemy]

Some ideas; when Harry get's there, it is often best to take both dogs out for a walk. Hopefully you have a friend, or a partner that can go with you.

Then once the walk is done, enter into your home. Harry will go second into the house after your Yorkie.

If there was any incidence of aggression on that walk, do NOT let either dog off the lead when you enter the house.

Instead walk both dogs through the house, on lead, and be prepared to correct any aggression on either dogs' part.

See how they respond to each inside the house. If all is good, then let your Yorkie off the lead, and then Harry.

Feeding time, try to feed them in the same room, but at different ends of it. Hopefully both dogs understand sit/stay and will wait for you to put down the food.

Stand between the dogs until they finish eating. One will almost always finish ahead of the other. Do NOT allow which-ever dog finishes first to go to the other dogs' dish. Use your body to block the dogs forward movement.
Do this for every meal. I always stay in the room until the dogs are finished eating. Magic my big male, is my fastest eater, garbage guts! And he will always try to advance to the next dogs' dish. Now of course a simple NO, stops him in his tracks.

Toys: I never leave toys out unattended. Toys are high value rewards here. We use them as rewards for training. In the beginning, if you want a play session with both the dogs at the same time; then you need two humans to play too; ie one on one. Throw toys in different directions. etc.
Or alternatively one dog is crated or kept in separate room when you play with a toy with the other dog.
The only exception we make is at Christmas time, when all our dogs have a new toy hanging on the tree. They each get to "open" their toy together. Have a good chew and play with it. Then what will usually happen, one dog will drop their toy, and go over to investigate the others' toy. Once this starts, toys are put away. And we open up our own gifts then.

Walking together, sleeping in the same room/house, eating together, will do a whole lot to help them bond with each other.

Good luck, and I hope all goes well.

[CBear]

Thanks for the tips!!!

Harry came over this afternoon, the only incident so far was at dinner... Charlie went after Harry's food and when I blocked him he snapped at me. We decided to feed Harry first, then Charlie and did pick up the bowls after. They are eating different dry food, once were a little more settled we'll transition Harry over to Wellness like Charlie. I will have my BF help me with breakfast so we can try to feed at the same time.

Both dogs are crated, so separating them when we are not able to supervise will be easy (and normal for them). Harry has already taken a nap in his crate; Charlie went in there too and Harry gave him a warning growl to beat it. The crates are just across the room from each other.

We spent some time playing outside all together, which went pretty well, while my mom was still here. Since then, Harry won't go outside at all. He primarily uses potty pads, so doesn't 'need' to go out but typically enjoys it (actually he is a 'runner' which is part of the reason he is with us now). I think he may just be uncertain about why he is here (he is spending alot of time circling the door my mom left through, poor baby). Later we are going to take them out in the yard on leashes and see if that helps him (the long term plan is to eliminate the pads).


What about treats? Charlie is finishing his and then going after Harry's. Should we stop Charlie, or give Harry the opportunity... so far Harry just lets him take it. I realize they need to (safely) figure some of the dynamic, but I can't help but want to step in.


More to come, thanks for the responses so far!

[Sweet Girls]

Around meal times...if managing alone is challenging, I would feed the dogs in their individual crates...esp. if they are used to being crated...I would call the dog to his crate, put him and his food in, and call the other dog to the other crate...that way you don't need to be hyper vigilant, and the dogs can both relax, not worrying about someone else coming after their dishes. If you find this a "pain", you can slowly work to getting them to eat in the same room with your presence (as mentioned by Gemy) little by little. It will get easier as they get used to being together in the same pack.

[CBear]

Originally Posted by Sweet Girls

Around meal times...if managing alone is challenging, I would feed the dogs in their individual crates...esp. if they are used to being crated...I would call the dog to his crate, put him and his food in, and call the other dog to the other crate...that way you don't need to be hyper vigilant, and the dogs can both relax, not worrying about someone else coming after their dishes. If you find this a "pain", you can slowly work to getting them to eat in the same room with your presence (as mentioned by Gemy) little by little. It will get easier as they get used to being together in the same pack.

Thanks for this idea!! yesterday, and this morning we fed in the same room at the same time and it's going OK, but definately takes two of us. Crate feeding could work if we both aren't home for a meal.

[CBear]

We made it through another day, had a nice long walk and spent time in the back yard together. Harry even snuggled up on the couch last night with my BF (and Charlie was OK with it) and all 4 of us spent some cuddle time in bed this morning.

The boys behaved like little gentlemen and sat for treats (carrot sticks) without being jealous/ aggressive.

Jeff and I are exhausted, but I think were doing pretty good.

[CouversMom]

It's good to hear that the transition is going well... It will take time, but soon you won't be able to remember being a one dog family Having two dogs is the best!

[CBear]

Originally Posted by CouversMom

.. It will take time, but soon you won't be able to remember being a one dog family Having two dogs is the best!

Thanks Michelle, we're atill experiencing some 'moments'... Charlie has decided that #2s go in the house, and although Harry's marking is getting better his new fav place to hit is the outside of his crate. Hopefully a sign that he is feeling safe in there and wants all to know it is his (only).

It is fun to see them start to relax and chase eachother around the yard and up and down the hall in the house. Harry is coming more and more out of his shell, and Charlie is acting less like a little bully. (He was caught chasing/ blocking Harry out of the living room and the people bed a few times last week).

[gemy]

[QUOTE=CBear;4022093]Thanks Michelle, we're atill experiencing some 'moments'... Charlie has decided that #2s go in the house, and although Harry's marking is getting better his new fav place to hit is the outside of his crate. Hopefully a sign that he is feeling safe in there and wants all to know it is his (only).

It is fun to see them start to relax and chase eachother around the yard and up and down the hall in the house. Harry is coming more and more out of his shell, and Charlie is acting less like a little bully. (He was caught chasing/ blocking Harry out of the living room and the people bed a few times last week).[/QU

SOTE]

Sounds good so far. In a couple of weeks, they may become best buds!. Yes dogs do get possessive of their crates. My alpha male who is large has the largest crate; and guess where everyone wants to sleep in, if and when Magic is out of it? Yup his crate! Even the cat gets in his crate; which reminds me I have to get a pic of that lol. Magic just saunters on up to his crate gives a little growl, and the interlopers exit forthwith

But in terms of housebreaking, start to flush/wash out that crate with an enzymatic cleaner, because you don't want the dogs marking inside.