Successfully integrating the dog family
My two girls want to get along with Abby (5 yr old husky) but Abby wants nothing to do with them. The way she growls and shows her teeth if the other dogs even go near her is kind of frightening to witness. My two get away quickly and haven't been bitten yet, but I have no doubt that Abby will bite them if they get too close. She hasn't even been here for 24 hours so I know I need to be patient, but I'm wondering if anyone has had things start out like this and then the dogs get along eventually, or if things start out this way and only get worse? Is there anything I should do to help introductions? Abby is such a sweetheart with us, I really want them to get along, I really want to be able to keep her. |
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| Willowsprite,
My dogs are not adults, but I went through something similiar. I had had Max for about 1 year and half when I was sure we needed another one so they could keep each other company....or me company. I brought in a Rescue, Miller (approx 18 months at the time), who after the first weeks I was positive we could not keep. I realized he was a rescue, but things were pretty bad. they would fight and draw blood. But after having him for 2 months I couldn't give him back, and really wanted to give him a chance. He had had such a rough puppy life living on the streets for who knows how long. Now they are almost best buds. They are still jealous of each other with me, but its has gotten much better. Yes, they will still show teeth over a bone, but I have learned that is just Millers history, so they no longer get chew bones in the same room. They do play constantly and are learning each others tempers still. I have had the rescue now for almost 5 months and I know now that Max would miss h im dearly. I hope this helps, and i do hope things get better. |
| Probably Abby feels very scared about the new surroundigns and she's nervous about her new home. When we've had our foster dogs at home, it's always very rough for the first week, so it's advisable to keem them separated if you cannot supervise their interaction. Also, encourage play and games outside, in an area that all consider neutral.
Imagine that you were suddenly transported to a home in China (Just an example, bacuase it's the farthest place I can think of, ok?) You would not know what boundaries or rules are at home, so you may feel anxious, specially if you cannot communicate how you feel. If you are allowed to interact in a place that does not have that structure and invisible rules, it will be easier to blend in. Hang in there! It's difficult but it's worth it. Soon you'll see they become best buddies and won't want to be apart from each other. |
| Well, Abby is an absolutely wonderful dog. She is so well mannered, so elegant, so quiet, and calm..lol.... so NOT OES. LOL
Things are going really well. I'm still keeping them separated for the most part with a gate, and occasionally letting one of my girls try to get closer to Abby. Dancer is afraid of her now, and doesn't bother to invade Abby's space, but Sky of course is such a big goof that she just bounces right over and Abby seems to be getting used to her. She still growls, but not as much, and didn't show her teeth this morning so I think things will be fine eventually. Abby doesn't wander much, she seems to pick a spot and stay there until someone encourages her to go somewhere else. Right now she is laying by the front door. What surprises me the most is that when the kids are coming in and out Abby doesn't try to go out the door. That's not husky-like, as they are known to be dogs that run away every chance they get. Abby also seems to be great with our cats, and even the guinea pigs, also un- husky- like. LOL I watch her like a hawk anyway, because once she feels more comfortable she may change her mind on the smaller fur-creatures. I wish I knew for sure how old she is, we were told 5 or 6 years old but she appears much younger. The only thing that gives away her age a bit is her upper canine teeth. They are very large, and worn off at the tips. One of them may have a cavity, it has a dark spot, so I'm going to get the vet to check that. She does NOT like her mouth touched, so if any work needs to be done she would likely have to be put out for it. When I looked at her teeth she curled her lip at me, no growling or snapping, but then immediately looked guilty and afraid. She looked up at me with those big blue eyes and thumped her tail a little as if to apologize. She still has not had a single accident in the house, this dog is just so amazing I can't imagine how someone could have been so cruel to her or want to give her up. I don't think any animal deserves cruelty of course, but what on earth would make someone hit such an innocent, loving, gentle dog? Anyway... she seems to both love and be confused by being spoiled here...lol... I'm going to try to borrow a camera tomorrow so hopefully I can post pics soon.  |
| Shelly>> I'm SO glad to hear that things are working out for you with Max and Miller. That gives me hope as I know things did not go well for you at first.
Saul>> I think you are absolutely right, it must be overwhelming for her. If she were a little younger I think she would adapt a little faster, but she's been through a lot, and probably doesn't trust that anyone is really going to be kind to her. |
| Stacey-
It sounds like you're doing all the right things to welcome Abby, but as others have said it does take time. She sounds like a beauty, can't wait to see pictures  |
| When Sofa arrived, she was like Abby, she curled in a sofa and stayed there for an entire week, only came down to eat and drink water. We even had to teach her to eat from a bowl because it seemed that she was used to eat from the floor... I find it really strange that people are mean to these great animals.
The time when Buzz was at our hose, at first he growled and barked a lot to everyone, then he became more sociable as time passed by and ended up bossing the big guys around. It was very funny to watch Lennon run away from him while Buzz chased him barking like crazy in the park. Abby will get used to your family, I'm pretty sure of that... I feel like her every time I am a guest at someone else's home  Maybe I need doggie therapy too.
Keep up the good work! |
it was only a few short months ago that we brought Bogey home. If you remember my posts, it was a nightmare at first. I thought i had completely ruined Tecumseh! Now we only have an occasional scuffle when someone has gotten the peanut butter jar and the other wants it 
lol Mostly its me trying to stop them from chasing each other thru the house. they do leave an awful mess in their wake, especially with bogey still having his tail. Reintroducing them in a neutral area helped immensly! Maybe trying short periods with just one of the other girls with her at a time, two sheepies coming at you at once might be a tad stressfull for her. Mostly just take a deep breath, and know that they will work things out. It really does just take time. You are an angel for giving her a warm and loving home. It will take her a bit to realize that it is her home now, that she has nothing to be afraid of any longer. Bogey will still look at me once in a while with that look, am i here to stay? are you my mom now? which ofcourse you will reply with lots of hugs and kisses reassuring them that yes they are home and a part of the family |
| Good afternoon,
I came across this discusson thread when I did a search about integrating a rescue dog into a household with an established dog--and I was very much impressed by the good advice and the supportive nature of everyone's posts. Sorry to interrupt your thread, but I don't have a OES and wondering if any of you know of any good discussion groups for someone like me who has a different breed (GSD). Many thanks... D. from Vermont |
Dhelfrich wrote: Good afternoon,
I came across this discusson thread when I did a search about integrating a rescue dog into a household with an established dog--and I was very much impressed by the good advice and the supportive nature of everyone's posts. Sorry to interrupt your thread, but I don't have a OES and wondering if any of you know of any good discussion groups for someone like me who has a different breed (GSD). Many thanks... D. from Vermont We have so many guests that stop in to bash the folks on the board, I'd like to thanks D. from Vermont for the lovely comments. |
Sheepdogma wrote: Dhelfrich wrote: Good afternoon, I came across this discusson thread when I did a search about integrating a rescue dog into a household with an established dog--and I was very much impressed by the good advice and the supportive nature of everyone's posts. Sorry to interrupt your thread, but I don't have a OES and wondering if any of you know of any good discussion groups for someone like me who has a different breed (GSD). Many thanks... D. from Vermont We have so many guests that stop in to bash the folks on the board, I'd like to thanks D. from Vermont for the lovely comments. I second that
D. - we have several members here who also have GSD's, so maybe they will reply soon - thanks |
| Try germanshepherds.com. To the gsd person
When I brought home my sweet bailey (HSD at the bridge) she was 6 mos old and we had two labs and a schnauzer at the time. I thought she would kill them!! Snapping and snarling We tried two intros both times she went ballistic. My labs were like ?????? what is this We want to play. I put her in a large crate and she bloodied her teeth on the wire trying to get at them I thought holy crap what have I done>> It took about 4 weeks teach her they were not demons and she was the nicest dog ever. She was a great example of the breed So be patient don't rush Maybe place a gate between them so she can sniff, try walking side by side but with one person with the new dog and someone else with your dogs A fence in between works well. Sometimes when I bring in new fosters I let them stay away from the other dogs a week, then bring them together on neutral ground and then when in the house I put a barrier up for a week and then did one dog at a time. Lots of praise for no snarling and take the dog in the other direction when snarling and snapping. I have done this several times buy yes had one that never got along and had to be an only dog placement Good luck!!! |
| I've had mostly good experiences with adding a rescued sheepdog to the family: [P=raised from pup; R=rescue]. All my dogs have been OES so I cannot speak to other breeds.
1. Young, VERY dominant resident male [P] and young, deaf female [R]: No problems. 2. Same very dominant male [P] (now older) with another young female [R]: no problems. 3. Young laid back male [P] with older dominant female [R]: Genuine affection between these two, no problems. 4. Same male [P] (older) with older, VERY laid back male [R]: no problems. 5. Much older, VERY laid back male [R] (above) with young, energetic male[ [R]: benign indifference, no problems. 6. Young male [R] above with very submissive, younger male [R]: Long term relationship with these two, became best of buddies. When the older dog finally died of old age, the younger one went into depression and died two weeks later. 7. Both dogs above [both R] in middle age with a 3rd very energetic, but submissive male [R]: The older dogs ganged up on the newcomer and tormented him. Ultimately didn't work out. 8. Young male [R] with young, jealous (but not dominant), unsocialized, male [R]: Tension and occasional conflict lasted over a year. Has settled into something like a pair of close siblings who get along together when no one's watching but compete for attention when people are around. My experiences: • Male/female pairs always worked out fine • Older male with younger male always worked out fine, regardless of which dog was introduced. • With two young males, I have had mixed results: one pair, which had a clear dominance relationship, was fine; the one where dominance was not clear has had tension and initial conflict (fights) but eventually settled down. • Two older males with an established relationship did not work out well when a third and younger male was added. • No experience with female/female pairs. |
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