Need Some Heavy Duty Advice Quick!

[Mary Beth]

How is your adult GSD reacting? Is he trying to get away from the puppy when she approaches him? Does he turn his back to her or sit or ignore her? If he does that - does she stop?

[MchaelS]

Originally Posted by Mary Beth

How is your adult GSD reacting? Is he trying to get away from the puppy when she approaches him? Does he turn his back to her or sit or ignore her? If he does that - does she stop?

Most of the time he kind of backs up if she comes at him from the front. He doesn't ignore her, no, I think he's still trying to figure out what in blazes is going on.

Which leads me to my next series of questions.

1-For those of you who have been in this situation, about how long does it take on average, before the two dogs start getting use to one another?

2-When the pup goes after the adult dog, do we merely hold her back and try to divert her attention? Do we correct her in some manner?

The pup seems to be settling down a little. She is barking about half the time when Zeke walks by her crate, and she can stroll right by him in the house or whatever and ignore him about half of the time also. Several times now both dogs have been laying down, Xena in her crate and Zeke outside about five feet away, calm, cool, collected, just glancing at one another from time to time. I am taking this as a good sign.

Mike

[JakodaCD OA]

sometimes dogs view their crates as "theirs", so it doesn't surprise when a dog crated goes "off" on another dog within close proximity.

She's 3 months old, so around 1 weeks? I would be correcting her for going 'off' on him or bad behaviors, redirect as well if it's not working, well you need to 'up' what your doing..I'd be telling her to "KNOCK IT OFF"..and / or "LEAVE IT"..

[MchaelS]

Zeke and Xena actually went nose to nose today and were very calm. Only when there was an outside stimulas (this time it was my bro-in-law ringing the doorbell) got Zeke barking and that set Xena off, barking and lunging at him a bit. Presently they are both sleeping, Xena on her back in her crate and Zeke not too far away.

Would Xena be considered an "agressive" dog or would she have to show the same trait towards humans. Does anyone have any links to aggressive puppy training?

Mike

[Gharrissc]

I haven't read through the other posts,so this may have been brought up already.The shelter should have had you bring your dog first to meet the puppy,but since she is already home I would start all over with neutral ground. Introducing the dogs in a neutral area is a lot less threatening than just putting a new dog together with the resident dog. I would also stop letting them hash things out for themselves.

[Mary Beth]

Originally Posted by MchaelS

Zeke and Xena actually went nose to nose today and were very calm. Only when there was an outside stimulas (this time it was my bro-in-law ringing the doorbell) got Zeke barking and that set Xena off, barking and lunging at him a bit. Presently they are both sleeping, Xena on her back in her crate and Zeke not too far away.

Would Xena be considered an "agressive" dog or would she have to show the same trait towards humans. Does anyone have any links to aggressive puppy training?

Mike

They both are making wonderful progress in short time. Your Zeke is doing great with her. I think Xena is just an excited puppy and has gone through a lot of adjustments. I wouldn't be concerned about any aggression issues.

[MchaelS]

Originally Posted by Mary Beth

They both are making wonderful progress in short time. Your Zeke is doing great with her. I think Xena is just an excited puppy and has gone through a lot of adjustments. I wouldn't be concerned about any aggression issues.

Do I have to worry about Zeke, at some point in the future, having to do the dominance thing with Xena? He's neutered, but I don't know if that makes any difference or not.

Also, I've noticed some "different" behavior in Zeke that may have been triggered with Xena's presence, in that he appears to be "humping" objects more , most notably his bed. Despite being neutered, is this normal?

Xena still has a tendency to do a crazy lunge at Zeke once in a while but she only barks at him, again occasionally, when she's in her crate. While turning to lock our front door after bringing her in one night, I was surprised to find Xena, up on her rear legs, just laying on Zeke's huge head as he stood there with his head lowered. It took me a moment to digest what I was seeing as the light was low in the hallway. But neither dog was growling, or nipping, or freaked out by the proximity. An hour latter they were bitching at one another about something. Oi.........

[Mary Beth]

They both seem to be doing well. Zeke is still a young dog (not even 4 yet) and the humping is probably excitement. My Aussie who was neutered did that. He has had a lot to adjust to. That would have made a cute photo of Zena on the big dog's head. You may still get a chance yet :-)

[MchaelS]

I've noticed that Xena appears to be pretty succeptable to noise and actions around her. I don't remember Zeke being this way, but then he was our only dog at the time. Too much outside stimulas and Xena goes a little wacko. I am assuming this is normal?

Actually had both dogs tugging on each end of a play rope today. Didn't last too long as I think the "hey that's mine" kid mentality kicked in and they started yelling at each other....

[RebelGSD]

I suggest to exercise Xena enough so that she is too tired for tantrums. A tired puppy is a good puppy.