Here on Trial...

[quinstar]

Well, crazy as we are we brought "Bullet" home last night. The meeting with him and Alfie went well. He's very underweight and has had no training. We also discovered on the ride home that he is very possessive about things. Not with us but with Alfie. He definitely seems to feel that things he gets are "his". On the ride home he smiled at Alfie and later that night when he was eating and Alfie tried sniffing at his bowl he snapped at him. I've never had to deal with these types of aggression issues, especially where a dog has had no proper obedience training what so ever. I'm planning on calling my trainer on Monday but does anyone have any advice or ever dealt with this type of situation before. Alfie is my baby and I can't keep this dog if he's going to be a threat to Alfie.

Thanks a ton!

[quinstar]

Oh, sorry about the poor photo. We left our camera in FL at a friends so I had to take that one with my camera. He loves his crate which is nice. He's very friendly and other than the possession issues he gets along great with Alfie.

[fairlight]

If you are calling your trainer Monday. I would put Bullets bowls, his water, his food in a crate. I would not let Alfie beside the crate. Everytime you feed, scoot Bullet into his crate. Hopefully that will hold you until Monday. Just keep the dogs food bowls separate.

[quinstar]

Thanks Fair, I tried to call him today, but no one was there as their hours are Mon-Fri. I really want to work with "Bullet" (if we keep him we're going to name him Faust) but I can't have him be a danger to Alfie. We'll definitely put all his bowls and toys in his crate and will keep Alfie away from there. He seems to be getting a little possessive of DH and I as well, so for the time being, we're not going to let the be around each other too much.

[fairlight]

You can still walk them together Quin or if you want to be on your guard, you take one and DH take the other, You and your husband in the middle with dogs on the outside. If this works well graduate to where you or DH has one in each hand...just keep them walking fast. This way both dogs will be learning to become a pack.

[Bclover92]

I hope you can work it out hes a beauty!

[quinstar]

Originally Posted by fairlight

You can still walk them together Quin or if you want to be on your guard, you take one and DH take the other, You and your husband in the middle with dogs on the outside. If this works well graduate to where you or DH has one in each hand...just keep them walking fast. This way both dogs will be learning to become a pack.

We just did that. They are fine when they are together like that. We're definitely going to continue to walk them together, but as far as being around each other in the house, I don't think that I'm going to allow that for long periods. They were fine last night, but there was a bit of a scuffle this morning over food. My leg got nipped and I'll definitely have a bruise, so until the trainer gives me some instruction I'm not going to put myself or the dogs in a situation that I don't know how to handle.

On a good note I can already see that he is submitting to DH and I as the dominant members of the house. He's even semi-starting to learn sit. I think once we know exactly what to do he'll be a fast learner.

Should I allow one of the dogs to be dominant to the other? I've read mixed things on this so I'm not sure if I should allow some dominant behavior or not.

[fairlight]

Originally Posted by quinstar

We just did that. They are fine when they are together like that. We're definitely going to continue to walk them together, but as far as being around each other in the house, I don't think that I'm going to allow that for long periods. They were fine last night, but there was a bit of a scuffle this morning over food. My leg got nipped and I'll definitely have a bruise, so until the trainer gives me some instruction I'm not going to put myself or the dogs in a situation that I don't know how to handle.

On a good note I can already see that he is submitting to DH and I as the dominant members of the house. He's even semi-starting to learn sit. I think once we know exactly what to do he'll be a fast learner.

Should I allow one of the dogs to be dominant to the other? I've read mixed things on this so I'm not sure if I should allow some dominant behavior or not.

This I can't answer. I know I am the pack leader in the house....DH is the mush! Some owners will let the dogs decide who is the dominant one, some owners will set a certain dog above the others as the alpha.

[alimel]

Originally Posted by fairlight

This I can't answer. I know I am the pack leader in the house....DH is the mush! Some owners will let the dogs decide who is the dominant one, some owners will set a certain dog above the others as the alpha.

Hee hee, That's how things are in my house!

Qunistar, When we first adopted Buddy (Beagle) from the shelter, he growled and snapped at Mel (Rott/Dobe) if he came near his food or treats. There was never a fight as Mel is very submissive. He was so used to fighting for food with 60 big dogs, he brought that with him. Fortunately, with constant correction from me he stopped, they can now lay next to each other and chew a bully stick.

Of course, your guys are the opposite size and strength wise, I think you should follow Fair's advise until you are able to work with your trainer.

[Dauxside]

Quin Fair's advice is spot on - as far as fighting for dominance between the two I'd not allow it. If you keep him and he settles in a warning off when either doesn't want to be bothered is one thing but going after the other dog, uh no.

Xing all paws he relaxes and settles down - I'd bank a lot of the behavior on his past history.