[Maryn]

Reich has dog aggression issues.
Currently, she's the only dog in the house. She does have one buddy, Wolfgang, my mother's GSD who is about a month younger than her.
We simply brought him right in at 8 wks old while Reich was at my mom's with me.

Now...I am considering taking in a boxer pup who needs rehomed. 2 months old, basically a tpyical bouncy boxer pup who is proving too much for the owners with their 3 yr old child. She keeps jumping up on the tot and knocking him over.

With my previous dog, Angus, I never had to worry about bringing any pups in. I'd walk right in, holding the pup, and say 'mine!' when he'd come to sniff. He knew that meant it was my puppy and he wasn't allowed to be rough or rude. Plus, he simply loved puppies.

Her aggression is towards strange dogs, especially while out away from the house.

I'm not sure if it's better to take the standard neutral ground approach, or simply place the pup in a crate while Reich is crated, then let her out to check it out within the crate.

I'm also considering leaving Reich at mom's, and bringing the pup there to meet her.

Any opinions?

 

[jarn]

hmmm....teagan is dog aggressive, but luc was the existing dog.

still, while i brought her in immediately, i did VERY slow introductions of them together....i kept it positive, short, and they're great together.

i recently brought in neb, who is 6.5 weeks old (unfortunately). i did have the advantage of watching video of him interacting with his litter and then meeting him and watching him interact with his litter - it's why i adopted him specifically - b/c i felt his personality would mesh well with both luc and teagan.

do you know how the boxer pup is around other dogs? how did you introduce reich to wolfgang? what went 'right' there?

teagan has been great with neb, but that's also her personality - she does really good with helplessness, it appeals to her better side (i can't think of a nicer way to put it). i'd look at reich's personality, what she does and does not respond to (and not just with dogs; teagan responding well to helplessness i have previously only observed with people in situations where she was amped-up aggressive or in situations where she would normally have responded aggressively). if it helps, teagan initially checked out neb while he was crated. she was also tethered to me and i've done a lot of work w/her to make sure she knows my expectations.

don't know if any of this helps, but i would really look at reich, not only her dog behaviour, but as a whole, as well as at the puppy and it's behaviour - do you think they'll go well together? can you find out more about his personality if necessary?

good luck!

 

[Maryn]

Thanks for the reply.

With Reich and Wolfgang, she was about 12-13 weeks old and he was 8 wks. Her dog issues had just begun the week prior when a little dog across the street got loose and came after her. At that point she was very fearful, but not aggressive.

She was free roaming in the house, I set Wolf down on the floor, and she came to sniff and check him out. At first she looked uncomfortable, unsure. But within maybe 10 minutes, they were fine and actually cuddled for a nap.

They've just always been fine, and he's her total opposite. She is calm and quiet, he is a typical working line pup with mega drive and boundless energy.

About a week ago, mom brought Wolf to our house for a play session. Up until then they'd only played at her house.

They came through the door, she saw him and spazzed. Hackles up, deep barking and charged. As soon as she got close enough to smell it was him, it was like someone hit the light switch. Instant play-time.

He annoys the **** out of her at times, and she will correct him...but she puts up with near anything from him as if he's still a little 8 wk old puppy.

I'm not sure if it's because he was a pup at introduction (and so was she), or because it was prior to her becoming aggressive.

It's a shame because her first experience with a dog other than her parents was very positive. Brought her in, and my Angus went right over to her in play position, then would roll onto his back and lick her like 'look....I'm super nice and you look like fun!'

As for the boxer pup, I know the current owners have a mixed toy breed as well...and there was no mention of any issues there. Just with the child being jumped on.
I'll be speaking with them again this week, as well as going to meet and observe her with everyone in the household. I doubt being boisterous would be an issue, Wolf is **** near obnoxious when he wants to play and she doesn't seem to mind in the least.
I'm just unsure of how accepting she'd be of any dog or pup.

 

[Amaruq]

Personally I would reconsider bringing another female into the house with a dog aggressive female already living there. It might work out in the end but it is also possible that the older dog could easily kill a small pup before it had a chance. Generally speaking in a two dog home it is best for a male/female combo but I personally know that the old addage is not always true (from someone who successfully raised littermate sisters).

 

[BowWowMeow]

Here is my opinion: Reich has fear issues and she is still a young pup (a little over 6 months, correct?). Taking on another puppy right now is going to mean she gets less training time. If you do have problems with the two dogs they may not show up until they get a little older and Reich may pass along some of her behavioral issues to the puppy so that you will have two dogs acting out around other dogs.

If I were you I would continue working to counter condition and train Reich for another year or so before getting another puppy. If you really want a second dog I would find a rock solid older dog to adopt. That might really help Reich.

 

[Maryn]

Originally Posted By: AmaruqPersonally I would reconsider bringing another female into the house with a dog aggressive female already living there. It might work out in the end but it is also possible that the older dog could easily kill a small pup before it had a chance. Generally speaking in a two dog home it is best for a male/female combo but I personally know that the old addage is not always true (from someone who successfully raised littermate sisters).

I totally agree. After my temporary stupidity subsided I realized that if we brought in another dog, at any point, it should be male.

BowWow....thanks alot. Another common sense issue that totally got away from me.
We still have alot of work to do with her..basic obedience starts in about a week, and I really want to pursue competition obedience or agility with her (or both if we can manage it!), on top of working through her DA issues.

Sometimes my heart gets in the way of logical thought. When dogs in need pop up, I impulsively want to help without thinking about all of the aspects of what I'd be taking on.

But my girl has a ton of potential and needs my focus 100% right now to get her there.

I'm used to having 2 dogs. I put down my buddy at the end of April, and I guess it still feels like there's an 'empty spot'....but even inadvertantly trying to fill it at this point is just not a good idea.