Any & all suggestions welcomed...
 

I thought I'd toss this out here and see how you all have handled a similar situation.

A few days ago, I adopted out my 7 mth old male foster Yorkie, JoJo to a family who already had an only child...a male Yorkie who is a "young" 10 years old named Gizmo.

The family has become concerned just a few days later by Gizmo not wanting to interact with JoJo and the fact that he is "retreating" to another room...in other words not interested in JoJo.

Gizmo has been their only baby and so, they're ultra sensitive to this new behavior. They're worried that Gizmo will get depressed or just not ever accept JoJo.

I've told them a few days does not make a relationship between dogs who've just met. What would worry me is if there were displays of aggression, biting, etc...which there has not been.

I suggested not forcing them together and to allow Gizmo his space and time. Also, taking them for walks together and most of all make treat-time always where JoJo is...so, he will associate JoJo with something he likes (treats)...and most of all to give Gizmo lots of reassurance that he is not being replaced with more attention.

So, if you have had a similar experience do you have any suggestions to add to my meager little list of what they can do...besides be patient!:rolleyes::D

What you told them to do was right on point... we added max to the family about a month ago and when we introduced him to our only child (a four year old bichon frise), she wasn't interested in him either, but these kind of things take time. The treat association is really affective. And please don't let them forget to give reassurance to Gizmo... every minute if they have to. You never want him to think he's being replaced because that could hurt his feelings and he could start showing aggressive behavior to the dog thats "stealing" his family.

I love your list, are you sure I didn't say it ? Just kidding :) My favorite is walking them together. I also like to take them to a dog park this really lets them see who 'their family' is. They have the same smell, same Mommy, same car, same treats and so on.

It's all about that nasty four letter word: time

Hahaha!!! so true. :)

Well said!

I've never had experience with this particular issue, but you sound like you gave perfect advice!

It sounds like all of your suggestions are spot on Jo Ann. It doesn't happen overnight and they shouldn't expect it to. Gizmo has been an only child for a long time and it is not reasonable to think there wouldn't be a time of adjustment. Same would be for a skin kid who had been an only child for 10 years. I say advise them to be patient they will be adjusted to each other before you know it. You can't force it and always put Gizmo first in treats and attention so he doesn't feel threatened.

Exactly!

When I brought Doodlebug home Pebbles was a total F R E A K! She barked, hid, drooled, peed for weeks. But eventually they began to interact and finally play together. What I would suggest it to always pay attention to JoJo first, feed him first, pet him first, love him first. To this day Pebbles is still the first to eat~it helps to keep the peace :)

I think you gave them great advice. I would just add to make sure that Gizmo always gets everything first and knows that he comes first. I always made sure to always give Couver his treats first, he eats first, gets love first etc. I continue this today because he was here first and he deserves to know he's top dog.

Jo Jo first? Or Gizmo first? I was always told to feed, treat, and greet the senior dog first. Gizmo is the 10 yr old right?

The people who adopted Katie said the first few days it was katie who was hiding and not interacting. Which I thought would be normal for a dog to all of a sudden be in a new environment. For the senior dog to be hiding, I think he must really be sad. :( I think more attention for Gizmo, and treat, greet, and feed first.

Thank you everyone for your input...I'll be sharing your suggestions with the new family!:)

Any serious change in life needs 30 days:even the decision to buy a green sweater in stead of black...sounds trivial & shallow huh?

Well if stores give me 30 days to be sure about a trivial purchase adjustment shouldn't it be way too much to expect a dog used to being the only attention receiving pet to totally buy into someone whom is most likely stealing everything theirs let alone encroaching in GIZMO"S domain?

In a perfect world it would be a gradual adjustment of the new dog into the home: world's not perfect, unless there is a serious aggression issue they need to give it some time for both to adjust IMHO.

Did you remind them of common dog jealousy issues? Favorite spot, toy, person& to think of trying a gradual 'togetherness' divided attention & maybe separate areas, even just for sleep, feedings etc?

Hey worse comes to worse at least they are loyal to their 10 year old dog right? Way too many "pet owners" ignore or worse dump their older dog over getting a new pup.

Sounds like maybe they are super loyal & concerned people who need patients & a little insight on adding an edition that's all.

Hiding doesn't always mean fear. I'm scared of lil kids sometimes too...especially ones that are loud, hyper, or just researching their new environment:o)

Yes, this may help little Gizmo to adjust. He needs to know that he is still the 'top dog' (at least for now) and will not lose his status in the house.

Treat first; greet first; feed first; leash first . . . .

It really helped to ease Ringo's jealousy when Lucy first arrived on scene. And he was only 4!

You might have to talk them through this a bit - I called Lucy's breeder several times worrying that I had done the wrong thing.

And like LJ said it will take some TIME for them to adjust.

That nasty, four-letter word!

It does take time and alot of patience. Lexi is now 3 and she still can not get enough petting and loving. If she hears me or my husband talking to Dudley or Kayla, she will come running. Here they are yorkies and she is a mini schnauzer and she thinks she is a lap dog. We just go ahead and hold her and make sure everybody gets the same loving, treats, attention and everything. She has a sweet attitude, she is not aggressive but just do what you have been doing and eventually they will come around. Ours know that Tina is old and sick and now they help me look for her, and Lexi washes her face. Its really cute how they help to take care of her. So just be patient, they will get there and probably end up best friends. lol!!!