Two more days till we have a sister!!

[kimmispangler]

Verbena I have a lot to ask. Can you read my newest post that I literally just posted??!! I need advice.

[Wallee]

Good morning everyone. Summer arrived yesterday.It was a pretty traumatic day for her as the took her puppies from her and then she had to come to a new home with me.
She peed on the pee pad in the kitchen as soon as I brought her in. She ate well and Wallee seemed to welcome her as he does all visitors. I put her in her crate for a bit for a nap and then let her out. She wants to follow us around and looks for lots of petting and lap sitting. I took her out back when the rain broke for a bit and she seemed happy to see outside for the first time in months. After she and Wallee went to the bathroom I brought them in. Wallee being his ordinary self wanted to play with his toys. When I threw them for him, Summer actually got little excited and wanted to play too...NOT...first bit of jealousy and snappy by Wallee over toys. I put the toys away and stopped playing as I could see that was going to be a stresser. She slept well last night in her crate and I brought her back out to her pad where she peed no problem. When I replaced it she pooed on the new one. I replaced it again. She was wanting out of the kitchen with Wallee and the rest of us so I let her out. She has had few pee accidents on the carpet even though I have pads down so it seems like she will only use them if I put her in the kitchen.
This morning when she was sniffing at Wallee's face I heard a growl from him......twice...again when she came to me to be petted at the same time as him. I put her back in the crate and gave some love to Wallee. She is out again, and they are sleeping one on each side of me on the couch..
So....looking for advice on how to make sure that Wallee doesn't change into a grumpy bear and start growling and biting. Since we are having rain for the next week it looks like walking together is going to be a no go.

[crystalsmom]

Originally Posted by yorkietalkjilly

I'm so happy for you and for her and Wallee. For the moment, how she adjusts to this big change in her life is far more important than anything else. I'll just offer some thoughts and you can read them and consider if they are something you would be interested in trying as she arrives in your home. You might want to consider these things for your new girl as a home change to many dogs is one of the more stressful times in its life though few people ever think of that as the dog often acts so excited, they think it's happy. The open-mouthed panting as a new dog comes into a new home and looks around they think of as smiling and enthrallment. It's usually not. It's excitement only and it often hides the dog's anxieties.

The day she changes homes and leaves all she's known and has her puppies taken from her having not that long ago whelped them and is no doubt still recuperating from that, comes to a new home with a new dog, cats and new people is going to be a highly-charged occurence in her life, very stressful for her, whether she outwardly shows it or not. She will be highly excited and anxious as she leaves her old home and arrives at the new one filled with a whole cast of new characters, smells and situations. Her bed won't be there, nor her regular food bowl, toys or her favorite spot. Life will be forever different for her. None of the smells she's come to know will be there.

I would probably have plans for how to help her transition and settle in and get a good, quiet start where she's allowed to go to her crate or special area set aside just for her and rest and observe the household as it goes on around her as she adjusts and accepts what just happened in her little life. It won't hit her probably for a couple of days that her entire life is changed forever and she won't see her prior owner or puppies ever again so I'd be prepared to gently nurture her through this time and leave her be, not allow Wallee or the kitties free access to her unless she happily and willingly approaches them. I would simply not approach her the first few days and act a bit aloof so she doesn't feel smothered by these new people. Allowing a new dog their space and the time to slowly access their new surroundings and take the measure of their new family members without stressing them with lots of affection, touching or activities involving family and friends flooding in to meet them will help them go forward at their own pace.

I'd feed her the first couple of days in her new crate or pen, allowing her to see it as the place she's safe and can get her food in peace and security where no one can bother her, though I'd withhold her actual food for a couple of hours when she first arrives. Placing her food and an old toy or two of hers in the new crate will help her want to go in there and make herself comfortable on her new pillow or bed. If she's acting anxious, a blanket over 3 sides and one end of the crate should help her for the first day or two. In time, she'll spread her own scent in there and feel better about her new accommodations.

Allowing her to meet Wallee out in the front yard would likely be a good way for them to meet and get to know one another without challenging his territory so much the day she comes home. Both will likely sniff and pee, etc., though she may be too tense to pee, even after the car ride. Then, I'd allow him to go on into the home and bring her in and allow her to lead you on the leash where she like to go for a few minutes. Then I'd put her in her crate where she can rest and her food and water bowls are there, with no food at the present time, just water. I'd probably have a chew toy in the food bowl as she likely won't be very hungry. After she rests for 30 - 60 minutes or longer if she's asleep, I'd allow her out to pee/potty as she probably needs to go by now if she didn't at first. Bring her back in to her crate and food in her bowl now and allow her to go back in to her safe "den" and rest, observe and consider things for a while longer.

I'd keep some kibble treats sitting in a container on top of the crate and occasionally toss one in as I walk past as she's still adjusting.

Once she's showing signs of wanting to come out of her crate and interact, slowly begin to rub, scratch, pat and show her some gentle affection and the same for Wallee and the cats, keeping them back from her until she approaches them at first. When she begins to voluntarily approach you or your husband or Wallee, you'll know she's settling in and accepting you all as her new family but allowing the new pet to move at their pace makes for a much quicker, calmer and more sensible progression into her new life and in time, she will be begging for attention and you will be lavishing her with all that you have to give. Just some thoughts to consider and use or not as you see fit.

Wonderful advise Jeanie.

When I flew back from Chicago with Crystal who was age 3 and still having a pup with her but not nursing, I was concerned about the change for her. This adorable, loving Mother (Crystal) had this mean puppy. Roberta said don't worry she will be glad that she is anywhere this pup is not.....and she was right. Walked in used a pea pad I had out for her, made herself at home and that was it for 11 more wonderful years of her life. I kept in touch with the breeder all those years, she told me once that when she died she wanted to come back as Crystal.

They are all different, so your introduction may be somewhere in the middle and I'm sure it will work out. Enjoy!

[yorkietalkjilly]

Personally I try to allow the dogs to settle their hierarchy and pack dynamic issues and as long as just growling and teeth baring occur for the first few days and nothing more, I leave them be. They are animals and often use their use teeth like we do hands or fists. The two dogs have to find a way to co-exist comfortably. If it gets more drastic and the one dog bites the air close to the other or tries to nip, you will have to discipline him to let him know his behavior is unacceptable. Immediately arise with a firm"No!", point at him, focus your eyes into his with burning intent and walk into his space as you intently stare into his eyes, and back him off until he lowers his head and turns away, leaves the area as you stand your ground of what is and isn't acceptable behavior in your home, still staring at him. Some will even place their hand in the shape of a claw over the back of the dog's neck and hold it there(without digging in hard or hurting the confused little guys) for 30 seconds as you bend over them until they receive the message that that kind of dangerous use of teeth will always be immediately rebuked.

The dog whose home is being "invaded", as he may initially look at it, is usually a little confused by the big changes in his life himself and may be determined to protect and guard his territory and resources at first. But the "new" dog may be the one who gets scared and defensive or tries to dominate and tries to bite or nip at times.

In time, with a few warnings and spats and maybe some near-biting, nipping, the dog who aggressed will begin to see his behavior won't be tolerated by Mommie, begin to control himself and adjust to the other dog as a pack member once they've had a chance to settle their places in the family and truly bond. Some dogs never make the transition but those are few and far between.

By taking up the toys and chews at first, feeding them separately, keeping their interactions limited at first, allowing the new girl to spend time observing from her crate or a spot on the couch and watching both dogs' body language as they interact with each other and with you stopping behavior before it gets drastic, you can prevent a lot of troubles.

Putting Wallee in a crate right beside you or making him stay at the end of the couch or across the room a bit as you pat Summer and hand-play with her, kiss her and concurrently toss him a luscious treat will help him adjust to their new girl's "right" to have your attentions. It may take time but if you treat him as you play and interact with her, it can help ease the first dog into thinking having you play with her isn't so bad. Later, he should accept your affections and attentions to her as part of her due.

Most dogs tend to be extremely jealous though usually they don't fight over that jealousy - just try to push themselves into the forefront and wedge the other one out, growl if another dog approaches their resources and don't try to hide their jealous natures! They readily steal from one another and don't care to share food, toys or chewies much at all if ever. Add to that two adult dogs trying to adjust to each other and the new pack that is forming and you have a stressful time at first and maybe all along the way, at times, as dogs are not always perfectly happy companions every day of their lives, just as humans aren't. But as a rule, dogs love to have another dog in their home.

[dollydoodle]

So exciting to have your new doggy home with you! We need photos.....many photos!!!!!

[Verbena]

Originally Posted by kimmispangler

Verbena I have a lot to ask. Can you read my newest post that I literally just posted??!! I need advice.

Sorry I did not see this until late . . .

[Verbena]

Jeanie gave you great advice. I am glad she is home !

[mugwee1]

Summer is gorgeous, Wish I was her new mommy. Congrat's on your new addition. Hope she fit's right in. Have a good week will be keeping your family in my thought's while your babie's make their adjustment's.
Anne/Luci

[Wallee]

Thanks again Jeannie for the wonderful advice. We are moving along very well with this little girl. I took her for two little walks yesterday (on her own as I wasn't sure how she was on leash) and she enjoyed it a lot. I can tell she is still a little nervous from not being outside for such a long time, but she was eager to go the second time.
I also got the two of them playing with toys simultaneously yesterday. She is starting to perk up a lot and even trying to play with Wallee. He, on the other hand is not really ready to physically interact with her but that's ok. I also notice that when he doesn't like something she is doing, it is more of a grumbly growl than anything so I am just leaving it be. I know they have to figure out who is in charge so until I see him actually do something that I think is aggressive, I will let him teach her the rules. (hehehe..although sometimes I even have to remind him that he is "not" the referee of the cat's play fighting).
Today I am hoping that we will see a little sunshine and am going to try to walk them together. I am still having some potty issues with her which I expected and feeding is a whole other ball game. They said that they were cooking her chicken and rice and mixing in her kibble...well, I have tried the same thing and she picks the kibble out and leaves it on the floor. I don't mind to cook for her, but just chicken and rice is not good. So, now to try to get her eating some dog food.