Originally Posted by AlwaysTexas  I recently added an addition to our family, a 6 year old spayed female yorkie who is the sweetest, most loving dog I've ever met. She had one previous owner who retired her so I know her history, her siblings, her other life before she became my new one. She's currently adjusting to her new home with me and because she's so new, she is right next to me all the time, right on my heels, wagging her tail, wants to be as close as she can get. All is great with her and I.....but....not so much with my resident yorkie (that I've had for 4 1/2 years since he was 13 weeks old). He is neutered and he's always been "my baby". Both dogs are close in size and weight. Both are "fixed".
The first 4 days, my resident yorkie of 4 1/2 years basically ignored the new one, as she did him (she's so focused on me and adjusting). I've tried to ensure that he is fed first, petted first, etc....so that he does not think that I am replacing him, but the new one is so needy right now with her adjusting to a new life that I sometimes show her quite a bit of attention.
Two nights ago, resident dog walks in front of new dog (new dog is laying next to me as I'm sitting watching television) and new dog growls at resident dog. I give the ahhhh sound, both look at me and continue on with their day. Later in the evening, resident dog is wanting to play with one of his toys that I am tossing for him. New dog is watching and is the first to get to the tossed toy and brings it to me, resident dog now growls at new dog. Like hey, that was MY toy and that was MY mommy that threw it in MY house. How dare you get my toy!
I've also noticed that resident dog doesn't want new dog around food, even though their food/water bowls are on opposite ends of the room and I noticed new dog appearing to be afraid to go near the food because of how my resident dog was behaving.
I had a vision of them being buddies, playing, walking,sleeping together and everything would be wonderful, but so far, that's not happening. Have I just made resident dog very unhappy? How do I help the transition so that we have a peaceful household and they bond? |