Need advice for rescued dog

[monica12]

Hello. I am hoping someone can give me some advice about a dog I got from a shelter last week. I found "Butch" on the internet and he looked like a good match. He is approx 2 year old hound/mastiff mix who was in the shelter for about one month. They reported he was good with dogs and children. He was surrendered by a woman who did not take care of him or his brother. He was skinny and has wounds on his leg probably from laying on cement floors.
Butch was friendly, but shy when I met him. He and my 3 year old bullmastiff "Dylan" were introduced and taken for a walk together. The got along well, but were not particularly interested in eachother. They rode 2 hours home together in the car with no problems. They have spent a lot of time together without incident until yesterday (6 days later) when I noticed him showing his teeth and growling at Dylan after she and I had been sitting on the couch together. I left the room for a minute and when I came back I noticed her in the corner with bite marks on her face, ear and neck. She was scared, and I was really surprised since I hadn't noticed any real signs of aggression until this time. He has been growling at her often now and I have kept them apart since this incident. Any advise or ideas about what is going on and how to fix this? Thanks, Monica

[dobermom]

Have both dogs been fixed? If so when was Butch fixed? Sometimes recently neutered males still have all their hormones.
As far as the bite marks, did you hear what happened? Where you able to see any of it?

[Dax]

Are you reinforcing that your existing dog is the alpha in your mind. If you try to let the dogs sort out who is the boss, they will do so with teeth especially if evenly matched.

Your existing dog must be treated as the dominant dog. Give attention & dinner & treats first. Take a firm hand with both dogs - even growling should not be allowed.

[monica12]

Thanks for your replies. Butch the new dog has not been fixed... he will be in two weeks. I have read quite a bit about bringing a new dog home. Some info recommends that the original dog should be enforced as the Alpha, while other info states that the dogs need to decide who will be Alpha and then you treat them as such. Naturally I would feel better about my "old" dog being the boss... but she backs down to him. It seems like the more I promote her as Alpha- the more aggressive he gets.

[Dax]

Originally Posted by monica12

Thanks for your replies. Butch the new dog has not been fixed... he will be in two weeks. I have read quite a bit about bringing a new dog home. Some info recommends that the original dog should be enforced as the Alpha, while other info states that the dogs need to decide who will be Alpha and then you treat them as such. Naturally I would feel better about my "old" dog being the boss... but she backs down to him. It seems like the more I promote her as Alpha- the more aggressive he gets.

If he is intact, I could see that. Even after he is neutered, the hormones can be in his system for over a month.

I would keep them separated unless I was in the room to supervise. At which point, I would reprimand any aggressiveness in either dog. I would still make sure to give your girl special time with just the two of you.

[Nightrise]

It's sad but when a new dog is introduced into a new surrounding, especially with another dog, you can't make quick judgements like that. A dog that's new probably won't act the way he wants to act until he is comfortable. It may pass, it may not, but marks were left and thast's what I'd be worried about. I can handle growling and nipping but to make her that afraid and wounded is something I'd work into. I've never woned two dogs at ocne so I wich I had more help... Thankfully we have people with wisdom in many fields of dog ownership ^^

[monica12]

Thanks again for your thoughts. I have never owned a male dog before. It sounds like neutering generally makes a big difference. I hope it helps. I will keep the two apart when they are not in my sight. He has continued growling at Dylan occasionally today. He stops when I firmly say "stop growling". I was reading another thread with a similar topic and someone had suggested using a spray bottle with water and a little vinegar when the dog is caught in the act. What are your thoughts on that?
monica

[piperpatooti]

good luck...always great to rescue! thanks for saving a lifew!

[2ndchance]

A water gun may help, but if the aggression builds up, I would try putting myself in the alpha position and not leave it to the dogs to fight over.