Faith
I closed the crate door for my 2 to come in the house to meet her. Merlin sniffed her, Faith wagged her tail. Merlin came up to me as if to say...hey mom did you know we have a new dog! Avalon barked and growled at Faith...Faith did nothing. Then all 3 were crated for naptime. I figured they could get used to each others smells without any confrontations. Merlin and Avalon have been in and out to see Faith. Faith wont leave her crate yet. She is too scared. Avalon got a bit too sniffy and Faith showed her teeth to Avalon...Avalon being the silly dog she is...didnt get the message, then Faith growled and snapped at Avalon...she had to do this 2x for Avalon to get the message to get away from the crate. I am hoping that if we dont push things..the 2 of them will eventually get along. Anyone have any suggestions on how to make the transition easier? thanks |
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| Congratulations!!! Sounds like they are sorting it out. I would let them handle it (unless it gets dangerous for anyone). How lucky for everyone!! |
Congratulations, Kim! It's so exciting! 
Faith may be a little nervous and maybe show some fear aggression at first. Perhaps let Merlin and Avalon meet Faith one-on-one for a sniff & greet session outside their crates. Go slowly. Sorry...I'm not much help. 
I'm just thrilled to have two new babies on the forum today! Pictures please??? |
| Hi
Again, congratulations on Faith. Here's some possible suggestions that may work: Although humans mistakenly often give traits or thoughts to their dogs that are human like..they are dogs and one must often step back and remind ourselves of that. If your hubby were to bring you home and leave you in the bedroom in anticipation to meeting his already present two wives..I'm betting you're going to be a little anxious. Kinda the same thing with Faith. Neutral territory is always best. If you were to meet two wonderful new friends and they invited you to their home to live there..would be a different story perhaps than the scenerio I just gave above. Yikes! See I'm guilty of giving human like thoughts and emotions to what may have occurred with Faith. Meeting that way was perhaps a little overwhelming to her? You also have to take in consideration the space she was in at the time - enclosed with no where for her to go. So while she may have felt safe in the crate she also may have been too afraid to come out surrounded by the other two in their territory. It's always best for the dogs to meet one on one...neutral territory and get a chance to know each other before bringing them home on home turf. This isn't always possible but even a trip around the block on leashes allows them to meet and greet before the home turf which all dogs are naturally protective of. You might anticipate that the pre-existing dog(s) in the home are going to be Alpha. However, there is a glitch, as it's also normal for the pup to be the lowest in status ..so going to be interesting how the pup and Faith figure out who's gonna be the boss of who. My advice and it's just my opinion and I'm not going to be insulted at all if anyone disagrees with me...is take Faith and Merlin to the park or somewhere where the two can bond and have fun. Return home ..then it's Faith and the Avalon..but NOT all three ..only two at a time. It always takes a bit of initial work and then everything sorts itself out. Some like Maxx, George and others have had remarkable first meetings while others like myself still work on it ..16 months later. Just like people..dog personalities come into play. Good luck and please keep us posted!!! I can't wait to hear Faith, Merlin and Avalon stories!!! Marianne and the boys Oh forgot to add one more thing..Boys and girls in dog culture just like in ours rarely fight..but boy vs boy fights may occur and even less frequently..girl vs girl. Avalon's age may have a bearing on how it works out. |
| All great advice. Some dogs like to guard their bed, crate, or area, so I would suspect that Faith was not so much as showing dislike for Avalon, but more she wanted to be left alone, in her crate, and was telling Avalon that her space is to be respected. Especially dogs who have spent any time in shelters develope what is called "cage agression" which is not a fair indication of what the dog is like, but is a result of thier environment. Not to say that Faith has this trait, but it is just an example of how a dog behind bars can behave in a manner that is not a real reflection of their temperament, but a result of something else.
I always introduce dogs off-leash, when I am sure there is no real dog-agression to be concerned about. Faith was in foster care so I assume she has been cleared of that potential. It sometimes takes time for the dogs to get to know each other, and right now Faith is confused, she is in unfamilar surroundings once again, and is feeling insecure. She does not know you, the dogs, the house the smells, sounds etc. so could be on her guard. And who can blame her? There is now reason why she would automatically feel like she is in a safe, loving place. How could she, poor dear. I am sure the dogs will work it out, but I would suggest that she be kept separated from them quite a bit, so that she starts to WANT to interact with them. It seems that your dogs are going to assist with her transition into the home, if they are accepting of her already. The big thing right now is the bonding with her human family, who she needs to learn she can depend on to protect her. I totally agree with giving her lots of crate time to get her used to the different smells, sounds etc. Seeing as she appears to be rather timid this may take a bit of time, but she needs to take all the time she wants in order to gain confidence and trust. When I get in foster dogs I watch for thier needs, and practially ignore them until they come looking for attention. You are right to take it slow, as too much too soon can be overwelming. Keep us up to date with her progress. |
| Some great advice from all... although I would just like to mention that I've always heard there are worse fights between 2 girl dogs than any other match. I haven't had that problem though. There was a health study on oesca.org that actually pointed out fighting between females is more prevalent than fighting between males, by a 4:1 ratio. |
Congrats on your new girl! She is such a beauty. Good for your for helping a girl in need. We've got 6 spayed girls and I've heard that girls can be cranky.  Here are some things to consider...
* Don't push or force her to do anything she isn't yet ready for... the fight or flight instinct can set in. * Accept the Faith on her own terms during her settling-in period and you will develop a mutual trust and bond. By showing her teeth to your other two dogs, she's telling the others to stay back... I would think she is afraid and doesn't know what she can expect from them yet. * Give your other two attention, food, treats, etc. first so they know their place in the pack has not been jeopardized by the new comer. It can help to avoid challenges amongst them. In other words, treat her like she's at the bottom of the pack to start and they should eventually work out the pecking order for themselves. * Don't leave the 3 of them together unsupervised/uncrated until you are certain they have all accepted each other and worked things out. * A neutral territory is important for introductions. A park as Marianne suggested is a great idea. We introduce all of our dogs outdoors in the backyard because it's neutral enough for them. We allow the others to see the new comer or visiting dog through the door, one-on-one. We then let them sniff each other, again through the door. If there are no challenges and they want to play, they are allowed off-leash to meet each other. We actually introduce our alpha Schipperke-mix LAST because she can be such a cranky little thing. She demands dogs give her her space and it takes the new comer time to learn this. The rest are real good about off-leash introductions. * One last thing... be sure to pick up all of the toys, chews, food, etc. There can be possessiveness over what your other 2 see as theirs which can result in a fight. Panda has a bit of food aggression... even when it came to the water dish, she would chase off the others. She wanted to drink alone and the others now respect this. Same thing with food. I make them all sit to get a treat and go through the pecking order when I had it out. (I feel kinda like a priest giving communion  ) Panda has improved and will now control herself so we allow her to help clean up the floor after Kaytee (she is such a messy eater!). She and 3 of my other girls get right in there now without any problems.
Good luck to you! |
| Thank you Jaclin for the great advice.
Faith is not leash trained...she is too timid yet to take to the park for neutral introduction. She tried to bolt when we got home with her from the car...I dont dare take her anywhere yet until she knows me better and feels more comfortable that I am her new mom. She has met my 2 thru the crate...she doesnt mind Merlin (he's 2 1/2) she shows her teeth and growls at Avalon (she is 8 months). But then again...Avalon seems to have forgotten dog language...Faith was telling her get away but Avalon didnt get it. She snapped at Avalon thru the crate...that got Avalon's attention...Avalon layed down right away! Faith will not yet come out of her crate willingly. I pull the blanket out gently and she will come out for potty. Ihave 3 separate fenced yards...so she can go out without the others there. She is starting to get a bit more comfortable with the yard and is starting to explore more. This morning she actually came to the door when I called her...but then she ran into her crate and wouldnt come out again. I talk to her a lot and she gets petted when she will look at me. When she turns her head away I figure she has had enough. Her tail wags everytime I speak to her. I feel that she is starting to bond with me...tiny steps. I am taking it ever so slow with her as I do not want to frighten her even more. Maybe by the weekend the dogs can meet her (one on one). I really would like her to feel more comfortable with me first. |
| It sounds like you're doing great with her. Since she has a strong tendancy to want to bolt it's very wise to keep her home. In fact, I've read where they recommend you actually keep a rescue home for the first few weeks so they know that this is now home and can feel safe/secure. Keep it slow and just don't force her to do something she may not be ready for.
We have an NEOESR rescue-sheepie named Panda that adopted us in September. We started slow with here too although she is not timid. Panda doesn't seem to understand dog language either. When our alpha growls, the others know to turn away from her or "leave-it". Panda just stands there and looks at her... right in the eye. Grannie Annie said some dogs learn real quick what's appropriate... and then, well, then there's Panda. She's gotten nipped a few times but is slowly learning. She is such a filbert.
My alpha is very possessive of her crate. She is the only one that still uses a crate and can be a real snot about it. NONE of the other dogs is even to approach it so it's off in the corner of the dining room well out of the traffic area. I think being small (she's a 40 pound Schipperke-mix) she has a thing about not wanting another dog in her space... that goes for outside the crate too. And you know sheepies... they want to share everyone's space! Please let us know on how your first introduction goes! I know it can be stressful at first wanting everyone to get along. Once they all accept each other and settle in, things will calm down and there will be some really good times. |
| Sounds like you and I are going through a similar thing right now with our timid new rescues. At first, I thought Maggie's hyperalertness was dominance but I now see that she is just so afraid of everything that she is constantly on guard. I admire your patience and kindness in working with Faith. I am trying to be the same with Maggie. It is absolutely wonderful when she will sit still to be petted a bit. I also stop as soon as she looks away or starts fidgeting. . . Keep us posted on her progress! |
I would recommend getting something that the dogs , both Maggie and Faith, really love to eat. Some cheese, or a smelly peice of bacon...teeny pieces. Leave a bowl close to their crate or area and anytime you walk by, or come close, just toss them one. Or drop it on the floor beside them. That will help them to associate you with good things and then Faith will start to get up when you approach, knowing that you have some goodie for her. The next step for her would be to start to look for her treat, when you are too slow in giving it to her 
Don't use it as a bribe, just yet, as you may indermine some trust if you do. Once fooled they remember very well. I would imagein in the next day or so you will be seeing some better progress. Just continue to keep it low-key and slow. Perhaps the foster homes can give some insight on what worked and what didn't, as they may have experienced the same things with Faith and Maggie. |
| Faith came out of her crate to go potty without me prodding! She comes right back to the door when she is finished. That is a HUGE improvement. She runs back into the crate tho...next step is for her to take a step out of the crate when it isnt potty time.
Good idea about the treats...she already wags her tail every time I see her to speak to her...but the treats idea will just reinforce that she looks forward to seeing me. |
Congrats on Faith. Just let things progress. It will slowly happen. I'm so happy for you.  |
| Sounds like you're doing good and Faith will develope that bond with you as it seems as if she's made attempts so far! Way to go!
Jaclyn - Had to chuckle as MY Panda is still a work in progress...it's been 16 months and each day I can see changes in him. Don't want to scare anyone off from rescuing a dog whom desperately needs a much needed home. Some, especially those with sad backgrounds just take a bit more time. Keep us posted on Faith's milestones and I'm sure each one will bring you joy as you were responsible for making a difference in her life. Take Care! Marianne and the boys |
| Good luck on your new girl. |
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