New dog = New issues!
So as most people may know by now, I got myself a cardigan! He's 4 years old and came from a show home. The old owners showed cardigans and show/breed French Bulldogs. He was one of 7 dogs and low man on the totem pole. The female cardigan and all 4 Frenchies made a habit of beating him up. Because of this, he has some fear aggression. He and Franklin are doing very well together because Franklin is just the cutest friendliest little guy on the planet! Lol. Anyway, my issue is with larger dogs (and the cats). My parents have a very sweet submissive lab and Truck (the cardi) keeps attacking him. If the lab is laying down, Truck is ok with him or if Truck is on the couch and the lab is on the ground, that's ok too, but if the lab and he are both standing then Truck attacks him. What should I do in this situation? I was letting it go at first because the lab doesn't react and will even go so far as to lay down and get to Truck's level, but now Truck will snap at him without being provoked, just whenever the lab is looking like he MAY come in Truck's general direction. I'm not worried about my lab reacting, but I am thinking about when Truck is introduced to some of my friend's dogs. At least 2 of my friends have dogs who WILL NOT allow another dog to attack them and it may result in a fight. I really want to try to build Truck's confidence, so best ways to introduce him to larger dogs? Do I allow him to snap or do I stop him? He is VERY responsive and will stop if I tell him to. Since he is a very submissive dog, I am of the idea that maybe I should stop him from attacking a dominant dog because its only going to result in him fighting and then getting even more scared.
He appears to have some separation anxiety as well, which is odd based on his breeder's description of him. I think he is just really liking all this attention and doesn't want to end up out in a kennel again or in a crate so he gets super clingy. I am going to have to crate him for school, and so far when I put him in his crate he whines and barks when I leave the room. He can't bark while I'm gone because I live in an apartment. I made him sleep in his crate last night in my room, but should I begin leaving him for short periods of time NOW so when I do have to leave him for school on Tuesday he won't freak out as much?
And last question, I guess he is a toy, towel, bed destroyer......ideas on good toys to put in his crate to keep him busy while I'm in school? I need toys that I don't need to supervise him since I will be gone at school. The owner never gave him Kongs bc she was afraid he'd get his bottom jaw stuck in the hole and she said no rawhides because he will bite off and swallow big hunks. So I need safe distraction/toy ideas for when I'm gone.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Beth on
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I've had good luck with this for smearing peanut-butter inside (a teaspoon of pb can provide a good 15 minutes or so of licking is smeared thinly enough).
http://www.amazon.com/Premier-Buddy-Twist-Treat-Small/dp/B0002I0RLW
However, it seems like if a dog wanted to chew it apart they could. Why it works for me is that neither of them has any interest in it as a toy when empty. The shape has zero appeal to either dog. So I put PB on it, leave, and when the pb is gone they ignore it completely. Might not work if the dog decided to chew it.
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Permalink Reply by Jane Christensen on
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I use kongs or nylabones. I used to use some others but they seem to have gotten cheaper and the dogs can chew them up. I also have the small Chuck it balls and Livvy constantly has it in her mouth although she is constantly biting on it she has NEVER destroyed one.
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Permalink Reply by Bev Levy on
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I have had success curbing dog aggression by leashing the offender in the house and attaching the leash to me. If he growls or stares (I recognize the stare) I give a slight tug and say no. When the dog stops I pet him. Watch for times that you know are going to be a problem and be sure to use the leash. Classes would be a great way to become his buddy and increase his confidence. Agility is also a great way to increase confidence, look for a group near you.
I have had good luck with Kongs with cheese smeared inside to give the dogs something to do when we are gone. Watch the Nylabones, they can break teeth on them. I can not imagine how a dog could get a his jaw caught in one unless you get too big of one or an off brand...
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Permalink Reply by Jennifer Markley on
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Hi Bev! We got our German Shepherd mix from the shelter, where she'd been for over three months. She of course, has issues. She is the worst that I've ever had, as far as all her anxiety goes. I agree that the poor guy is definitely going through a tough period now. He's wondering if this is for real, if this is too good to be true. Until he is comfortable around you and latched onto his comfort person, I wouldn't take him around anything new, dogs or people. It seems to just increase their anxiety. As far as the other dog in your house goes, that's great that they don't fight. Let Franklin show him the ropes. It will take tons of time to get him to where he's functional...and it may be years. We've had Sage for two and a half years now, and she is just at the point where she is comfortable and knows she is here to stay. Even though, she still has severe seperation anxiety. We absolutely cannot put her in a cage when we leave, as she destroys it trying to get out, to the point of hurting herself. We have doorknobs chewed up, and two weeks ago she ripped the door trim off where she tried to get out to follow us. When he is doing better, then slowly take him around bigger dogs. Keep him on a short leash, with a short correction when he starts to growl or look aggressive. Just be slow with him, and he'll get there. I think more of his issues now are just insecurity.
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Permalink Reply by Sam Tsang on
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Hi Melissa,
Most dogs reveal its true colours around the 1 month mark, I've learn to ignore what the previous owners say and only take their experience with a grain of salt, you see, every dog owner is different, their dog handling comfort levels are different, what's hard for someone can be a cake walk to others. I've dealt with show dogs breeders that don't really have a "normal" pet life like pet owners, I've seen show dog owners that don't really know much about living as a pack and only capable with dealing with one dog at a time, where the rest of the pack are in kennels.
My recommendation for you is walk walk walk. Walk the pack side by side, no distraction, no sniffing and greet, focus on the journey, it is only through walking that the dogs can learn to focus on your direction and guidance. Remember you are leading the pack, you dictate where and which direction to go, once they've learn to look up to you, they'll listen better. Exercise, discipline, then affection. In that order.
I've fostered a lot of corgis in the past, averaging 1.5 month stay each, that's 10-12 corgis a year, if you read my old blogs, I've documented snippets of their stay. My pack go through a pack restructuring every other month. they deal with new fosters with all kinds of background. I've learn to put very little weight on the foster dog's past, only take their previous owner's experience with a grain of salt and focus on building their future instead. With your help, a little exercise, structure and love will totally change Truck's life :) Keep up the good work!
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Permalink Reply by Melissa and Franklin! on
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Thanks Sam. I am coming to the conclusion that everything the past owners have said has been VERY different from reality. Truck's owners fall into the 2nd type you described, 7 dogs who live outside in kennels and are brought in and crated at night, each dog is worked individually in prep for show or obedience/rally competition. He has no idea how to be a "pet" and has no manners inside. He doesn't know boundaries and is constantly jumping on me and pushing me for attention. He is very smart though so I am working him NOT jumping on everybody. The owners also say he should be used to being away from home because they have sent him off to different handlers for training, and that he should be fine in his crate bc he is used to being crated. I do think he has adjusted to my house pretty quickly as far as feeling comfortable enough to play, but he is VERY insecure. I tried crating him for a very short period of time yesterday because I had to do some errands and didn't want to have to constantly watch him and he barked and clawed at the kennel the ENTIRE time, it was about a half hour he was crated. I'm going to need to work on that, he just can't stand to be out of site of me which is something I hope Franklin will teach him is no biggie. Franklin is a good role model and I'm hoping he will rub off on Truck and not the other way around! Lol
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Permalink Reply by Anna Morelli on
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Congratulations on your new dog! I would have him on a long leash when the lab is there, so that you can immediately correct any POSTURING (or attitude) rather than wait for the full aggressive display. ( I would do this for three or four weeks) He needs time to adjust to the new home and new dogs, but the limits on his behavior should be clear from day one . As for leaving him, I would definitely start doing that now, starting with a short time and increasing gradually, so he gets into a new routine at your house and becomes comfortable with it, knowing what to expect. Good luck.
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Permalink Reply by Ace and Jen on
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I found that Zogoflex dogtoys are wonderful~ My Aunt got Ace one for his first birthday and that toy has been the only toy he hasnt destroyed~
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I bought him the Tux toy, the one on the top left. It's doing a great job of holding up. But I'm finding he isn't as destructive as the owners say he is. I think he was just not getting enough attention and exercise. They didn't allow towels or beds in his crate because he would tear them up, but he has been totally fine with a fluffy bed in his crate for the last week and hasn't even begun to munch on it.
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I bet it's because he knows he has a home...gets good exercise and the attention he needs? He doesn't need to destroy.
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Im glad he isn as destructive as you were told :) Ace doesnt tear up beds or towels he sticks to squeak toys and rope toys >wbr/>
Ace got the green Z thing he doesnt play with it that much anymore :)
but they are awesome for dogs that love to chew >w/p>
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Excellent point Amy! This aspect is rarely recognized or addressed. It is the same with people and anger . Neuroscientist Jill Bolte Taylor (My Stroke of Insight, a fascinating book) has demonstrated that the chemical reaction in the body which follows anger, if not reinforced, will dissipate within 90 seconds. Dog metabolism may vary from human metabolism, but my guess would be towards less time, rather than more, so interrupting the behavior as you do and keeping the dog calm, even for a short while, makes eminently good sense.
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