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How Do We Help Them Get Along?


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I need advice on helping our 5 year old, spoiled rotten boy adjust to having a pushy 2 1/2 year old "sister" around. He's overall pretty tolerant, i.e. she pushes him away from the water bowl, noses her way in when he's getting petting, and sometimes steps on him, and he generally rolls with it. There's some growling when walks over when he's on the sofa with us, and sometimes when he's in his bed. I know that's all normal -- but I'd really like to be able to get the muzzles off them, especially since they both like to rub the darned things on my rear end when they're trying to get rid of them! She's a puppy, she's a pain in the neck, and he's not real pleased at the little pest. But my big guy isn't happy, and growled at ME last night when I got on the floor to pet him. (Not in pain, was awake, has never had space issues with people.)

 

On the other hand, he was bored and whiny, and paced around at night before she came home, and that behavior has totally stopped! They do want to play outside together, and I think a long run would help. His knees are much better, and once her toe injury heals up and she's all better from the run-in with the cat this past week I'll take them somewhere they can get the crazies out!

 

Other than being a puppy, Brees/Sweetheart (I hate the name my DH picked!) is a really neat dog! No potty training accidents, learned the stairs pretty quickly, very sweet and friendly, fun to play with, cute as heck, and BARKS at the doorbell. She crates nicely, isn't overly destructive, and hasn't yet learned to counter-surf. She'll be a great dog for our lifestyle, and is nice and intimidating for our sketchy neighborhood!

 

So far, the dogs are being walked together when we can, but separately as needed. DH has the flu, so they won't be walked together for a bit. I'm not comfortable taking them out at the same time by myself yet; she pulls and tangles the leashes! (We're going to practice one person walking two dogs when he's better, but we'll both go in case they're unmanageable). First thing every morning, after she potties and before I have coffee, she gets a good long stuffy toss session. She's exhausted when we're done. Puppy breakfast. (Joe won't eat kibble in the morning) Back outside, then in the crate while I shower. She gets some more time out of the crate while DH gets ready for work; he leaves at 9, then it's back in the box till noon when I come home for lunch and more stuffy toss! I get home at 5ish; potty time and walkies. (Her walks are pretty short. Her pads are still soft.) Dinner for people and dogs (Thank you Trader Joe's!). She paces around, wants to go upstairs, pesters Joe, etc. while we watch TV. More stuffy toss about 1 1/2 hours after dinner; by now DH and Joe are in DH's office having guy time. :lol Another potty run. (Have to add, she LOVES to be outside. If the neighborhood wasn't skeevy, I'd be able to leave her out there for hours. She'll be great to garden with this summer -- Joe thinks he's too good to lay in the grass!) Then DH and I swap dogs, Joe and I go to bed, and little girl gets a pig ear and hangs out with Daddy, who usually puts her to bed around midnight. We'll pretend he takes her out to potty first!

 

So, what can I do to make Joe happier with the new one, or happier in general? And, probably more important, how do I tire out a puppy who really houldn't run much? Or are we just stuck till she grows up a bit more and both dogs are more physically sound?

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Walking them together (when you can keep her under control) is the quickest way to get them to get along.

 

Also, when he is getting tired of her antics can you crate her to give him a break? Or put her in another room with a special treat? Same goes for him; he could be crated or put in another room maybe with a special treat.

 

When she is getting on his nerves can you distract her by playing with her for a while to give him a break?

 

Puppies are sweet, cuddly, adorable and a pain in the @ss! :lol

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Walking them together (when you can keep her under control) is the quickest way to get them to get along.

 

...

 

Puppies are sweet, cuddly, adorable and a pain in the @ss! :lol

 

We have two who are not quite two yet. Basically they are puppies but in very big bodies. So I feel your pain.

 

What helps us is walking them together. With my two I find they need about an hour in the morning and around 45 minutes in the afternoon. As they get older, I'm hoping they need less, but right now, the more exercise they're getting, the fewer problems we have in terms of behaviour.

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To be honest, it sounds like they're doing very well. I do understand the need for a 2 1/2 year old puppy to run off some energy. You said she has a toe injury. As soon as that's well, I'd take her outside (it sounds like you have a yard) and bring a stuffy or two and throw them and just let her run herself ragged. That's what I do with Bandita. She has to get out there and run off the excess energy or she's driving my older dogs, and I mean much older like 10 to 12 year olds crazy. I just brought her in from doing zoomies in the yard and she's sacked out now taking a nap.

 

I would take off the muzzles and see what happens. If Joe is giving warning growls and you hear him and intervene, chances are nothing is going to happen. I have two that still after all these years give warning growls to anyone getting close to the bed they're sleeping on during the day. The other dogs have learned to listen and go away.

 

If she listens to Joe's warnings then you probably don't have a problem. If she continues to pester him then I'd take her out to play and she'll come in nice and tired.

Judy, mom to Darth Vader, Bandita, And Angel

Forever in our hearts, DeeYoGee, Dani, Emmy, Andy, Heart, Saint, Valentino, Arrow, Gee, Bebe, Jilly Bean, Bullitt, Pistol, Junior, Sammie, Joey, Gizmo, Do Bee

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To be honest, it sounds like they're doing very well. I do understand the need for a 2 1/2 year old puppy to run off some energy. You said she has a toe injury. As soon as that's well, I'd take her outside (it sounds like you have a yard) and bring a stuffy or two and throw them and just let her run herself ragged. That's what I do with Bandita. She has to get out there and run off the excess energy or she's driving my older dogs, and I mean much older like 10 to 12 year olds crazy. I just brought her in from doing zoomies in the yard and she's sacked out now taking a nap.

 

I would take off the muzzles and see what happens. If Joe is giving warning growls and you hear him and intervene, chances are nothing is going to happen. I have two that still after all these years give warning growls to anyone getting close to the bed they're sleeping on during the day. The other dogs have learned to listen and go away.

 

If she listens to Joe's warnings then you probably don't have a problem. If she continues to pester him then I'd take her out to play and she'll come in nice and tired.

 

She totally ignores a mild growl. She's dense. Big growl, snarl. lunge, air snap had her sailing onto the bed and into DH's arms the other night. Joe's never (that we've seen) made contact with her, but I'd hate to take the muzzles off too soon and have one or both of them get hurt!

 

Her toe injury is a webbing tear that she came with, and that the kennel hadn't noticed. She'd licked it pretty raw, but it was improving, then tore more when she got the kitty. Post-catfight antibiotics are probably helping a good bit. She also had some stitches in one ankle, which I removed last week. That ankle is pretty "lumpy", so I'm thinking it's the career-ending injury. Dunno for sure. She's a bit gimpy after the cat incident, Deramaxx fixes it.

 

I'm glad that this all sounds ok to you! She's a really neat dog.

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Just normal adjusting when adding a new hound. I guess I've done it so many times I just don't sweat the small stuff any more. :lol When it gets to where Joe is just giving a low growl without the snarling and snapping I think you'll be safe to take the muzzles off then. Truly the only reason my pack hasn't gone ballistic on Bandita is I recognize when she's getting on everyone's nerves, I have a few hounds that will put her in her place and she listens to them because they're a lot bigger than she is, and I give her a ton of time outside to work off all that energy. :lol I'm enjoying the heck out of her though. She's a lot like my first greyhound, Emmy was and we haven't had a little girl with that much spunk since Emmy lost her sight and passed away so it's really nice having Bandita here. I'm sure in a couple of months you'll find out that your girl will start listening to Joe and once they can get outside together, they will probably bond over play time.

Judy, mom to Darth Vader, Bandita, And Angel

Forever in our hearts, DeeYoGee, Dani, Emmy, Andy, Heart, Saint, Valentino, Arrow, Gee, Bebe, Jilly Bean, Bullitt, Pistol, Junior, Sammie, Joey, Gizmo, Do Bee

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:nod

 

Yes...to what 'Jilly' said in both her posts.

 

And walking together will also help. Very L-O-N-G walks.

:)

 

Nancy...Mom to Sid (Peteles Tiger), Kibo (112 Carlota Galgos) and Joshi.  Missing Casey, Gomer, Mona, Penelope, BillieJean, Bandit, Nixon (Starz Sammie),  Ruby (Watch Me Dash) Nigel (Nigel), and especially little Mario, waiting at the Bridge.

 

 

SKJ-summer.jpg.31e290e1b8b0d604d47a8be586ae7361.jpg

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Guest Greyt_dog_lover

You are overthinking and worrying about nothing. Muzzle them when they are out in the yard together and dont worry about the house. They will work things out. As for walking, maybe get a splitter, then she wont be walking all over the place as she will be connected to you boy.

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I also think it all sounds like a pretty normal adjustment. When my Jilly came home at 2 1/2, I could not believe her energy as opposed to Jack. I reeeeeeaaaly needed to tire her out. Running was good but honestly taking her to obedience classes did the trick. they exhausted her busy brain as well as bonded her to me. In the end it was the best thing I did, bringing her home.

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Susan, Jessie and Jordy NORTHERN SKY GREYHOUND ADOPTION ASSOCIATION

Jack, in my heart forever March 1999-Nov 21, 2008 My Dancing Queen Jilly with me always and forever Aug 12, 2003-Oct 15, 2010

Joshy I will love you always Aug 1, 2004-Feb 22,2013 Jonah my sweetheart May 2000 - Jan 2015

" You will never need to be alone again. I promise this. As your dog, I will sing this promise to you, and whisper it to you at night, every night, with my breath." Stanley Coren

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