Rehome type question

[Patti]

Originally Posted by livingdustmops

Nikki has moved over to you..which is great for him. I am glad the nursing home lets you take him in to visit and while he might be happy to see Carol I am sure he watches you very carefully..so as not to be left behind. I had many rescues do this..

I didn't think that would happen so fast. he watches me all the time and follows me everywhere. He sleeps as close to my head as he can. It is so different bringing in a rescue/rehome and I appreciate all the insight.

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by Patti

I didn't think that would happen so fast. he watches me all the time and follows me everywhere. He sleeps as close to my head as he can. It is so different bringing in a rescue/rehome and I appreciate all the insight.

He's doing what Maxine did with me and still does. He's afraid he's going to lose you too.....so, you just need to have to reasure him.....it'll take a bit of time but, he eventually will become more secure.

[Patti]

Thanks! I am having a problem with him, where he sits as close as he can to me and if one of my 3 girls come over as they always do, he is attacking them, especially Roxie. He has no teeth so he can't hurt my girls but Roxie is fighting back and she could hurt him. Also, he is crying terribly now when I leave and I am in and out a lot due to caring for my Dad and other commitments. Today he cried for 2 hours even though my dtr tried to play with him and hold him. I am really at a loss on this situation as I don't want my girls attacked or Nikki hurt. If I show him more affection than I already am I am afraid her will just get worse. If anyone can please help me that have gone through this. I don't want to make the situation worse. Do I leave often and come back after short periods of time to get him use to my coming and going? Do I not let him sleep right next to me? Help!!! Thanks

[kjc]

You will have to get super tuned into both Roxi and Nikki's behavior. They will give signs right before they go into attack mode, and you'll have to step in to stop it. I use verbal startle 'No', to break the stare down, if that doesn't work, I grab for the offender and temporarily remove them from being an immediate threat. Peek A Boo no longer sleeps on my bed, as this is where his worse attacks occur. He sleeps at the foot of my bed, and the others sleep in the bed with me and DH. He will still attack if one walks through the bedroom, he's worse with Sapphire, so she comes to the doorway and will wait for me to come pick her up and place her on the bed. If Nikki can't behave when he's on your lap, he should be banished to the floor. If you allow him to stay on your lap, he will continue to protect you or defend his space, and is rewarded by staying on your lap. When he tenses up or signals attack, a firm 'no' and put to the floor. If Roxi is relaxed, pick her up and give her some lap time. Eventually they will get it, but don't accept any unwanted behavior. Be firm and consistant and fair. They may still fight occasionally, but the times should be fewer and futher between.

Nikki's aloofness towards Carol made me laugh. He's mad at her for not being there for him. He'll forgive her eventually and be friendly again, depending on how long he holds a grudge. The first time I really corrected Peek a Boo he wouldn't look at me for hours! and stayed aloof for a day and a half!

Don't continue to feel sorry for Nikki bc of his history with Carol. Dogs are pretty much 'in the moment' (except when holding grudges), and you need to treat him normally without the 'poor baby you were tore away from your family and all the things you know stuff' or you'll be feeding into his behavior issues, and singling him out as being abnormal, which your other pups will pick up on (and can cause an attack). If you can walk them together, this would be most helpful, or at least him and Roxi together. Best pack bonding exercise ever! Plus it may make them too tired to fight as much. Sometimes it can be helpful to keep leashes on them as an aid in separation. You can also incorporate using treats, when they are in each others company and behaving correctly.

[kjc]

About the separation anxiety... maybe have DH feed Nikki. also, when he can bond with your other pups, I think his anxiety will lessen.

[Patti]

Thanks Kathy. Nikki wouldn't eat for me, so I did like you said and had my husband feed him and he ate for him. So I think we will have him feed him fro awhile. I did notice when Roxie would come close to me on the bed he would get this stare going on and go rigid, so I will put him on the floor when I see this from now on. I can't walk them right now as the sidewalks are snow covered but will do so as soon as I can. Great advice. I really appreciate it.

[kjc]

Originally Posted by Patti

Thanks Kathy. Nikki wouldn't eat for me, so I did like you said and had my husband feed him and he ate for him. So I think we will have him feed him fro awhile. I did notice when Roxie would come close to me on the bed he would get this stare going on and go rigid, so I will put him on the floor when I see this from now on. I can't walk them right now as the sidewalks are snow covered but will do so as soon as I can. Great advice. I really appreciate it.

I had to laugh when you said about him going rigid... Peek a Boo does that too! Like a little statue .... then boom rocket dog in flight to the sorry or soon to be sorry offender! Peek actually bit me ( he's 13 and missing some teeth!) he was so focused on his target, and I was a second late in grabbing him, it took him a few seconds but when he realized he bit his Mommie OMG the sorry look on his little face melted my heart. I just kept saying 'I don't believe you bit your Mommie!'. He was very sorry. Just be forwarned! You can use a pillow to block the stare (works sometimes) or a magazine when I fall asleep reading. Once he was sleeping above my head, and I was just about asleep... he jumped and ran right over my face! Thank God my eyes were closed I think he almost scratched them out! That's when he started sleeping on the floor. I fixed him up with a comfy bed and all ... I do occasionally take naps with him so he won't miss the bed. He likes to rub and roll on it when he comes in from outside. It helps too that he can't get on the bed by himself.

This snow is making us crazy! Pups are bouncing off the walls! We might have to make a mad dash to PetSmart and spend the day, or a good part of it anyway!

[Patti]

LOL! Luckily Nikki is missing all his teeth. Nikki can jump up on my bed and I have a ramp for my 3 so it's hard to get him off the bed. I will try tonight to move his bed away from my head and see if he will settle down in it. He always slept in his bed on the floor at Carol's because she had a real high bed, so I started a bad habit. I am preparing for his attack mode tonight and will nip it in the bud. Thanks!