A question for dog owners

[LynAnne]

Im just looking for any advice anyone might have on a new doggy situation. I know this might be better in a doggy forum but you ladies are always much nicer and more helpful so I thought I'd give here a shot.

My OH and I have a four year old Jack Russell, who we got from a rescue centre last June. We got her after she had been moved into another home with 3 other Jack Russells but didn't get on with them and, apparently, started to cause fights between the two boys. She only stayed with them a month before they put her into the rescue centre so I don't know if it is a case of she was the last one in so had to go or if she was aggressive and really causing problems. On walks she whines and, occasionally, barks at other dogs but its always seemed more out of fear than anything else. We have never had to socialise her with other dogs. Until now...

My parents and my sister (they live in separate houses) just got two yorkie puppies. We introduced them to each other last night and, IMO, my dog handled it really well. She allowed them to sniff her and and jump on her a little. However, when they got a bit too in her face she would growl quietly until they backed off. Now, I know she's just trying to emphasise her rank in the pack being higher but I don't know whether to allow it or not. Because they are not coming into her home, I'm not sure how to handle where she should "rank" in each of the other dog's homes or if it should be a case of where she ranks in the overall pack when we are all together.

Obviously I want all three of the dogs to get along so I'm just looking for any tips and advice to make it easy. (If they don't it'll make seeing my family very difficult). Also, what warning signs should I look out for if my dog has had enough and is ready to snap?

 

[SophiasMummy]

you will probably find she was telling them off because she had enough my dog gets told off by other dogs a lot as he very playful and probably annoying to older dogs often they growl or snap at him (though don't actually bite) to tell him that's enough so he learns boundaries, I would just leave them all to it but don't leave them all in a room together for a while and keep an eye on them as long as she isn't attacking them then its fine. if she really isn't liking the attention from the pups then put yourself between them or steer them away from her and say 'enough'. she's the older dog so will have a higher standing in the pack automatically you cant influence her standing in the pack with the puppies that's something they have to sort out themselves once they get older, though they are likely to just accept it as it is. don't forget its the mum that normally disciplines the pups to tell them when to stop playing etc so that's down to your family now to teach those boundaries HTH

 

[weewdy]

I am a breeder or terriers so i have quite a bit of experience.

Are the two pups dogs or bitches?

What she is doing is completely normal, introducing them must get done gradually and never leave them alone. Ideally you should introduce them in the garden, even though its still her space she will be less territorial over it than the house. At first i would just allow them to be together for 5 mins then increase the time. She will growl to warn them off and give them their place.

 

[LynAnne]

They are all bitches we just had a 10 minute visit from my parents with their puppy to our home. My dog was a little defensive over her bed (she would run to it if the puppy got near it) but otherwise she was more than happy. She even got her favourite cuddly toy off a small table and dropped it in front of the puppy deliberately. Only one tiny growl when the puppy was trying to climb on her a bit but the pup backed off straight away.

ETA: We are taking it slow and easy but so far so good. I'm not getting ahead of myself though. I know they'll need constant monitoring and such.

 

[amjon]

Growling is normal and just tells them she's had enough. They usually won't attack puppies, but will snip at them if they go too far. They should be fine.

 

[Pandora11]

My old dog trainer would encourage people with rescue dogs to attend the training sessions to allow the dogs to socialise in a safe environment and at a distance. I've heard of a lot of people having to socialise rescue dogs as you would with a new puppy( you know, introduce to as many dogs as poss) to build confidence. and walking dogs that are uneasy with each other as a pack. they also taught how to avoid nervous, defensive, possessive type behaviours, could you sign up for a local training session?

I have the friendliest dog in the world but my in-laws have an aggressive dog. When we first introduced them he would just bully our dog and i was more than concerned, they just said 'oh, it's normal, they're showing who is dominant and will work it out themselves.' three years on and i rarely have my dog in the same house as theirs, it bites, draws blood, pins him against the wall and has ripped fur out of my dog. he's gotten more aggressive the more they have been together and my dog won't defend himself in anyway. we have walked them together hundreds of times and nothing helps.

hope you have more luck than me

 

[weewdy]

They are all bitches we just had a 10 minute visit from my parents with their puppy to our home. My dog was a little defensive over her bed (she would run to it if the puppy got near it) but otherwise she was more than happy. She even got her favourite cuddly toy off a small table and dropped it in front of the puppy deliberately. Only one tiny growl when the puppy was trying to climb on her a bit but the pup backed off straight away.

ETA: We are taking it slow and easy but so far so good. I'm not getting ahead of myself though. I know they'll need constant monitoring and such.

As the pups get older be prepared for them to growl and sometimes fight. Especially when they are coming into season. Im sure they will get on like a house on fire.