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Originally Posted by WandaJ  It's now been 10 days. I brought Zeus home on Dec. 11th, and things are starting to settle down.. a bit. They are both neutered. Sam will be 2 Jan. 20th and Zeus turned 3 this past Oct. 24th. Zeus is still growling and snapping if you try to take toys away from him; however, using a water bottle, he will eventually, very reluctantly, let go. I make sure to pet him and sometimes treat, afterwards. As for Sammy, he's accepted Zeus, but only to a point. He still gets upset if Zeus tries to get in my lap first, so I have to hold Zeus back and let Sam up first, then invite Zeus up and he seems to accept that. Sammy has started to refuse to get in the bed if Zeus is there and last night, slept in his plush bed instead, even when I tried to put him in bed first, he insisted on leaving so I let him. They have started chasing each other around the house but it seems to be more play and they don't seem to be trying to hurt each other. The only things that really concern me is the toy thing and possibly making Sam feel left out with the new dog. (in the pic, Sam is on the left, Zeus is on the right) |
Awww they are so cute and so close in age. Thanks for the info I asked for, it's important to know in order to help you. So now it sounds like Sammy is starting to accept zeus except for bedtime, sounds like Sammy is sulking even if you put Sammy on the bed first. As lovetodream advised, Sammy is to be the first dog to get anything which is what you are doing, this helps with Sammy not feeling jealous or feeling he's taken the back seat so to say. But it does sound like they are getting along better, chasing and playing is a very good sign. As far as toys, again, like lovetodream wrote, its very possible he never had any toys with the prev. owners and it is called resource guarding, also possible his prev. would take things away from him. Now that you have two dogs always buy two toys, one for each dog, they could be the same toy or two different ones, let Sammy select which one he wants, then give the other to Zeus.
I will tell you this, whatever Sammy has, Zeus will want, that is kinda natural with dogs. My pack of 3 girls were always doing that and would come whining to me if the other dog didn't give up the toy lol. Why are you taking the toys away from Zues? Are you playing fetch and Zues will not release the toy? If Zues is playing nice with a toy, leave him be. If for whatever reason you want the toy, like lovetodream suggested offer him one of higher value if Zues drops the toy you want then give him high verbal praise. He's still kinda new to his new home, still getting use to all new things especially you as a human. My Cody is a rescue, we're together 8 years. When I first got him he was like a 5 year old testing the new babysitter, "let me see how many buttons I can push before she explodes" lol. I am very fortunate because Cody was a surrender and relatives wanted updates if possible from the ppl or person that adopted him. After 3 weeks of having him I was given their number and spoke with them. Seems there were a lot of things Cody was not allowed to do, like be on the sofa, he could sleep on the foot of the bed only, never near or against the prev. owner. The first day the entered the house he jumped on the sofa and looked at like he was saying "hey whatta you gonna do about this" I said Goooodddd bbboooyyy, then he jumped and ran all over my bed, again the look, again I praised him lol. But it took me one year to get him to sleep near me.
You not knowing his background, everything is going to be trial and error, all baby steps. Before you know it, Zues and Sammy will be BFF, they are just starting to know one another.