pinky j asked:
My TFT has been the family pet for so long. When we bought him he was nervous and insecure. You could tell he was not raised in a happy, loving environment. Through our warmth and kindness he learned to trust people. When the new pup came, we noticed his indifference, it’s understandable it has only been 2 days. But considering we are giving him double attention to avoid rivalry he still won’t warm up. The beagle pup is female. Shows trust and socialbility to everyone. You can tell she came from a secure, loving environment. Did we choose the wrong pup?
Sit Stay Fetch, Good Dog!
My TFT has been the family pet for so long. When we bought him he was nervous and insecure. You could tell he was not raised in a happy, loving environment. Through our warmth and kindness he learned to trust people. When the new pup came, we noticed his indifference, it’s understandable it has only been 2 days. But considering we are giving him double attention to avoid rivalry he still won’t warm up. The beagle pup is female. Shows trust and socialbility to everyone. You can tell she came from a secure, loving environment. Did we choose the wrong pup?
Sit Stay Fetch, Good Dog!
Tags: Family Pet, Fox Terrier, Loving Environment, Old Toy, Tft, Toy Fox Terrier
January 30th, 2009 at 7:16 pm
Dog Food Secrets!
I would give it more time. I have fostered many dogs – and my current dogs usually go through a period of “mourning”. I try to make it as easy as possible – by having good things happen whenever the new dogs were around. Take them on a walk together – try to get them to play with a toy…mine started chasing squirrels together and became great friends!
You are definately doing the right thing by giving your older dog more attention…this shows him that he is dominant over the puppy. You can follow that track by making sure your older dog gets everything first (also reinforcing him as the alpha dog in the home – in his eyes and the eyes of the puppy).
He should be fed first, get pet first, get the first treat, etc. Dogs really want to know that the structure of a pack hierarchy is there. I mixed two dogs together last year – a crabby old Chihuahua and a young playful Beagle mix. It took about two months before the Chihuahua really tolerated her – but now they get along just great, and even hang out a bit together!
Continue to reinforce positive interactions, and never punish the older dog for putting the puppy in her place. If puppy is being disrespectful (which will probably happen) – the older dog is probably going to “cuff” her. Puppies usually make a huge deal about this – screaming – so do not over react – I would let it happen. Many people get confused about an actual dog fight.
I would intervene if it gets out of control, or if the puppy continues to harass your older dog after he has cuffed her a few times.
Stick with it – they may not be the best of friends (I have one dog like this who acts aloof with all the other four dogs – but every now and then I catch him greeting or seeking the company of another one:)
Here are some aricles that might be helpful. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions!
January 31st, 2009 at 2:49 am
Dove Cresswells Dog Training
it takes some time for then to get to know that the pup is staying with you….give it about a month and they will be the bestest friends ever
January 31st, 2009 at 1:51 pm
Dove Cresswells Dog Training
You didn’t choose the wrong pup. Give it some time. Be sure the puppy doesn’t irritate the older dog.
How is the TFT acting to the pup? How is she ‘not warming up to it’?
A lot of times older dogs will ignore puppies, this teaches the puppy not to play with them unless the older dog initiates the play.
February 1st, 2009 at 6:29 pm
Sit Stay Fetch, Good Dog!
From “the leader of the pack” to “the top dog,” plenty of simplistic metaphors come from the canine world. But relationships between canines can be pretty complex, beginning with the very first meeting. Like most animals who live in groups, dogs establish their own social structure, sometimes called a dominance hierarchy. This dominance hierarchy serves to maintain order, reduce conflict, and promote cooperation among pack members. Dogs also establish territories, which they may defend against intruders or rivals. Obviously, dogs’ social and territorial nature affects their behavior whenever a new dog is introduced to the household.
Here are some introduction techniques.
Introduce the dogs in a neutral location so that your resident dog is less likely to view the newcomer as a territorial intruder. Each dog should be handled by a separate person. With both dogs on leashes, begin the introductions in an area unfamiliar to each, such as a park or a neighbor’s yard. If you frequently walk your resident dog in a nearby park, she may view that area as her territory, too, so choose a less familiar site. If you are adopting your dog from an animal shelter, you might even bring your resident dog to the local shelter and introduce the two there.
From the first meeting, help both dogs experience “good things” when they’re in each other’s presence. Let them sniff each other briefly, which is normal canine greeting behavior. As they do, talk to them in a happy, friendly tone of voice; never use a threatening tone. (Don’t allow them to investigate and sniff each other for too long, however, as this may escalate to an aggressive response.) After a short time, get the attention of both dogs and give each a treat in return for obeying a simple command, such as “sit” or “stay.” Take the dogs for a walk and let them sniff and investigate each other at intervals. Continue with the “happy talk,” food rewards, and simple commands. Be aware that if you quickly tighten up the leash on either dog, the dog whose leash just got tighter may become tense. It’s important for you, and any other person involved in the introduction, to remain calm and casual throughout the introductions. Of course, if the dogs begin to get to aroused by each other, it may be necessary to pull them apart, however take caution to not tighten the leash prematurely.
One body posture that indicates things are going well is a “play-bow.” One dog will crouch with her front legs on the ground and her hind end in the air. This is an invitation to play, and a posture that usually elicits friendly behavior from the other dog. Watch carefully for body postures that indicate an aggressive response, including hair standing up on one dog’s back, teeth baring, deep growls, a stiff-legged gait, or a prolonged stare. If you see such postures, interrupt the interaction immediately by calmly getting each dog interested in something else. For example, both handlers can call their dogs to them, have them sit or lie down, and reward each with a treat. The dogs’ interest in the treats should prevent the situation from escalating into aggression. Try letting the dogs interact again, but this time for a shorter time period and/or at a greater distance from each other.
When the dogs seem to be tolerating each other’s presence without fearful or aggressive responses and the investigative greeting behaviors have tapered off, you can take them home. Whether you choose to take them in the same vehicle will depend on their size, how well they ride in the car, how trouble-free the initial introduction has been, and how many dogs are involved.
If you have more than one resident dog in your household, it may be best to introduce the resident dogs to the new dog one at a time. Two or more resident dogs may have a tendency to gang up on the newcomer.
It is important to understand that either dog may exhibit resource guarding in your home. Items that can be guarded include food, toys, beds, entire rooms, owners, etc. If either dog growls, snaps, bares its teeth, at the other dog, then resource guarding may be the cause. Please contact a behavior specialist to set up a consultation if these behaviors are present.
Puppies usually pester adult dogs unmercifully. Before the age of four months, puppies may not recognize subtle body postures from adult dogs signaling that they’ve had enough. Well-socialized adult dogs with good temperaments may set limits with puppies with a warning growl or snarl. These behaviors are normal and should be allowed. Adult dogs who aren’t well socialized, or who have a history of fighting with other dogs, may attempt to set limits with more aggressive behaviors, such as biting, which could harm the puppy. For this reason, a puppy shouldn’t be left alone with an adult dog until you’re confident the puppy isn’t in any danger. Be sure to give the adult dog some quiet time away from the puppy and some extra individual attention as well.
If the introductions don’t go smoothly, contact a professional animal behaviorist immediately. Dogs can be severely injured in fights, and the longer the problem continues, the harder it can be to resolve. Punishment won’t work and could make things worse. Fortunately, most conflicts between dogs in the same family can be resolved with professional guidance.
Also, If you haven’t already had your pets fixed here is some info regarding that-
Why Should you Spay or Neuter Your Dog?
Prevent pet overpopulation: Over 7 million healthy dogs and cats are put to death every year in Animal Control facilities in the U.S. because there aren’t enough homes for them.
Fewer behavior problems: Intact dogs dig out of yards, jump fences, and run away from home more often than altered dogs. Male dogs can smell a female in heat at a great distance away. Neutered males are also less likely to mark their territory.
Less aggressive: Altered male dogs are less aggressive towards other dogs than intact males. Altered females are also less aggressive, since a mother may become aggressive if she thinks her puppies are threatened.
Better health: Female dogs are at risk for mammary or uterine cancer. Male dogs often get testicular or prostate cancer. These risks are reduced or eliminated as soon as your dog is altered. They are also less likely to escape your yard and get injured while running loose.
Females do not go into heat: Female dogs in heat are messy, and can leave stains on your furniture and carpet. Heat “seasons” can last up to three weeks, twice a year. Four Paws Sanitary Pads The scent of a female in heat can attract males from a great distance away.
February 1st, 2009 at 8:03 pm
Sit Stay Fetch, Good Dog!
Give it time. Older pets sometimes need a little longer to warm up. TFT’s are very smart and very stubborn, he is doing his best to accept this newcomer.
Try refering to the puppy as his. When you interact with the puppy say “isn’t your puppy so sweet, (then the TFT’s name)”. Use a high pitch voice and coo a little, (don’t worry, they won’t tell anyone).
I think a beagle puppy is a great addition to any family. Like I said, I think everyone needs a little time.
February 3rd, 2009 at 7:22 am
Sit Stay Fetch, Good Dog!
No absolutely not! Beagles are great dogs. Just give it time and leave them alone and they will eventually warm up to each other. In fact, they’ll probably become best friends.
February 5th, 2009 at 4:03 pm
Sit Stay Fetch, Good Dog!
This is very normal behavior for dogs. He’s jealous and will be for a while but he’ll get over it. My first dog was the only pet for several years. Then my parents decided to get a kitten. I never knew until then that dogs could pout! Our dog was so mad at us that when we would call her she would give us the dirtiest look and turn her butt toward us! I am not joking! It was the funniest thing. After a while we would catch her being nice to the kitten but when she’d see us watching her she would get up and move. It all turned out good. My husband and I started out with 2 dogs. Then we got a third and then a fourth. It was the same situation. It’s the same with cats too. Animals get jealous just like we do but they get over it.
February 8th, 2009 at 4:43 am
Sit Stay Fetch, Good Dog!
i had the same problem with my dog he’ll soon warm up my dog took about 3 weeks don’t force him too play with the beagle let it happen on its own