Update - New Female Aggressive

[Patty1231]

I realize this is only the second night I have had Pearl home but my son and I took both dogs out tonight for walks. I went out the back with Rocco and he went out the front with Pearl and we met at the corner. Pearl was almost immediately aggressive towards Rocco when they got within 6 feet of each other. Her tail was wagging but she was snarling, growing, and barking. We managed to get them around the block for a walk without any further incidents other than one or two hurmphs from Rocco when Pearl got right up beside me; he was then okay, however, even though she remained fairly close to me. We walked them back to our back yard from around the side of the house at the end of our walk and brought them together in the back yard, distanced by their leads. Pearl continued to snarl, growl, and bark at Rocco. He did bark back and bounce at her some but mostly stood behind me. Does this sound like something that can be worked out or should I return her to the Humane Society. I'm aware of what that will probably mean for her but my first priority is Rocco. I've been reading threads on this and haven't seen anything that sounded this extreme. She did not do this at the Humane Society (according to them) and I did not witness it when I was there with her and other animals, including dogs, were walking by her. Help! She's getting spayed on Friday - will this help? I don't want to let them go at each other because she would kick his butt!

[jakesfostermom]

Patty,
I can only tell you I had the same experience recently when adding a rescue to my foursome already at the house. The rescue (80 lb male rottie) did the bouncing, barking pogo stick routine at all of them intially. We were VERY careful and kept everyone separated when we weren't with them and slowly, very slowly we started to introduce them one at a time. Now, they all play together, or choose to ignore one another - without any problems. Usually a male to female introduction is easier. I wish you good luck - we are two months into our situation and things are progressing nicely. I think you should give it some more time - and see how things go. I don't know that spaying her will change things - but others here with more experience will jump in with lots of good advice! Best of luck and thanks for giving Pearl a second chance! Keep us posted

[Patty1231]

Thanks, I think I really just need some support here. If worse comes to worse, I'll just go back to my original plan of fostering her until the HS can find a home for her. I would imagine she'd be easier to place already spayed. I don't mind absorbing the fee I paid for her adoption. I'd really like to keep her, though, because she is so sweet and so loving. She's obviously starved for attention and really is a good girl. If she can't adapt here, perhaps she would be well placed in a one-dog home. I'm not afraid to put in the work, just that all the work may not work out. Like I said, I didn't see anything in my thread search that seemed to fit this situation.

[Brooke&Ryan]

Patty---

Sorry that the first intro. didn't go to well. Hopefully Pearl will warm up to Rocco a bit more as time goes on. :) Keep us updated & hopefully someone will chime in soon to answer some of your questions.

:)
Brooke

[Patty1231]

Hey, Brooke, thanks. Right now we're all in the living room and no one's upset at anyone. The dogs are both on leads and I'm taking turns going back from one to the other. There's no barking, snarling, etc. When I brought Pearl downstairs for an outdoor break, it was Rocco that jumped her this time.

[Judi W]

I'm of a bit of a different school when it comes to introducing dogs into the family. I think it does a disservice to the newcomer to let it get the impression that it is an only or favored dog which can easily happen if the home dog is kept away and not allowed to assert it's presence. The newcomer might just become posessive of its "new person" and not respect the home dog and in fact consider the home dog an interloper and someone who is interferring. I prefer that the meeting take place in the home so that the newcomer realizes it is actually a guest and has some respect for the "owner" of the property (in a doggy sense). The balance can and often does change over time but it does so naturally and not artifically. I have a sneaking suspicion that is what happened here. She was walking with "her" person who had just finished telling her how important she was and along came this other dog!!!! More likely a posessiveness taking place than actual aggression but possessiveness generated by her false impresion that she was the privileged one.

[Patty1231]

I think you're exactly right, Judi. Right now they are on either sides of french doors in the living room and dining room and I'm with Rocco. What do you suggest as to fixing this? I am not allowing her on the furniture, etc., or extra privilegs in that respect.

[Judi W]

I suggest you all simply relax. Let them drag leashes if you wish, but they should be just fine. If Rocco tells her that something is "his" let him do so. Usually however, the boys simply say "well, if you really want it, OK"............. Generally it is a good idea to have toys and treasures put up during this period of adjustment. If she gets too shirty with him, however, do give her a warning "I'm not happy with this attitude" sound because you gave her a false start letting her think she was the princess. I think they will be fine.

[Patty1231]

Thanks, Judi. I have been keeping the toys up and correcting her whenever she becomes too aggressive (I don't want either of them to get hurt, especially Rocco because I don't think he's a match for her, even though he outweighs her by 30 pounds. I think relaxing is a good idea, afterall this is only the second day. For some stupid reason I thought this would be a lot easier - like the cats were.:(

[Judi W]

Patty,
Just remember, don't make it harder than it is and enjoy.

[MontanaRott]

Wow Judi, we did something right and did not even know for sure if it was the way to go, just seemed to be at the time. Whenever we have brought a new pet into the fold or pet sat for a friend we have always introduced them here, on the residents home turf. We just felt the newbie should know they are NEW and the residents are established. It has always worked for us and now we know why, not dumb luck just good ol common sense!

Good luck Patty sounds like you are on the right track now! As Judi said just enjoy, it will all work out and be fine.

[Judi W]

If you will observe your own dogs when they go visiting to another dog's home, you will notice that they tred a bit carefully until they are sure they are welcome and know the rules of the road in order to make sure they do not accidentally make the "owner" angry. These same rules apply to newcomers to the family. I don't know where this meet in a neutral place idea came from, but I believe it is the incorrect way to make introductions to dogs that are going to be sharing territory. It often leads to misunderstandings between the dogs that would not be there if they met where they were going to be staying. Now of course, if the home dog is not social with members of its own species, you aren't going to make it different by meeting in that mythical neutral ground, but then if you have an anti-social dog, you shouldn't be bringing in another anyway.

Dogs are quite respectful of one another's status so to remove that badge of status often causes trouble.

Yep, now you know why.

[Anne]

I too brought my rescue girl into the home without a 'neutral territory' introduction.

Initially things did not go too well with my old GSD but I kept them separated until he accepted that the new dog was one of us and belonged in the family.

It did take 2 months before I did allow them to be together under my strict supervision and now they are together all the time except when I have to leave the house for 5 or so hours. They probably would be Ok but I'm not prepared to risk it.

I sounds like your two dogs are going to be fine together.

[MAMA-LOVES]

Four weeks ago I introduced our newly adopted 2yr old Rott , Rusty to our established Husky/Shepard. My 45 lb. Odie seemed to frighten the new big guy even though Odie is very submissive but has boundless energy and always wants to play. We spent the first evening keeping them seperated. I had a bad experience years ago with two females being introduced so I guess I was kind of gun shy. I remember the trainer telling me to let them work it out on their own. Since neither one of these guys seem alpha-like I decided to do just that. I put them both in the garage and let them sniff, jump and do some chest bumping. I did notice that they took turns laying on their backs when they were overwelmed by the other. I stood back but was ready to put a stop to the roughness if it got out of hand. After about 15 minutes they both got tired! They now play, sleep, and eat together like pals. Good Luck!

[RAVENMOM]

The best advice has already been given so, all I can say now is to give it time. Both are responding in a normal way to their introduction.

Judi seems to have hit the nail on the head with her assessment, again. I'd never thought about the neutral ground -vs- home territory before. But it sure makes sense. Even dogs behave differently when they are the guest.

Anyhow, good luck! It sounds as if these two may just become the best of pals in the end. And how wonderful would that be!