dogs need therapy

[debbiej]

We have set up a more 'secure' arrangement for keeping the old boy Gobie apart from Boris. Now that I am home more, when I'm home, Gobie is staying in the large rottie crate in our bedroom. Boris and Hilda have the run of the front yard and house. There is no intention of ever letting the boys together, but I am trying for a little desensitization between them. Boris spends a lot of his time in front of Gobie's crate (which is Boris' night time crate) He has his ears back, and tail wagging when I peek in there, and sometimes making a soft friendly whining. Not an excited 'let me at em' whine either. When I go in to put away wash or find something, I try to ignore the dogs, but I'm always watching. Weird thing is they do fine together until I come in, then they start very aggressive in your face barking at each other. At first, I tried to stop it, and I can make Boris leave the crate and settle down, but I've noticed that they stop the minute I leave the room. It is odd to me.... they act as if they are putting on some kind of show.

[rottielover2004]

psssssssssst who is Gobie. Is he a new dog you adopted?

[debbiej]

Gobie is an elderly rescue shar pei who has lived here the longest. He hated Boris on first sight. long story short, they were not properly introduced and now must be kept seperate.

[rottielover2004]

ok gotcha. Thought you rescued another

[Miabella]

debbie, I don't think it's very fair to make Gobie sit in a crate, pretty much trapped with nowhere to go, with Boris gawking at him outside the crate. It's a good way to make Gobie even more defensive around around Boris.

[debbiej]

Ok, good point. I'll keep Boris out of the bedroom. One or the other has to be crated. When Gobie is out free, Boris is kenneled or crated.

These boys will even bark at each other through the window, and Gobie starts it 95% of the time.