I think B will be absolutely fine. One or two altercations are inevitable. She sounds like a good girl and the dogs like each other. Like kids, a few squabbles occasionally. Don’t let them escalate that’s all. They’ll settle.
Dog sports will exhaust the dog and give you an activity you can do together. Learning how to do them also exhausts the dogs. (Do you see the pattern?) It builds trust between you.
Nose work is designed for dogs to do what they do best but it is set up to minimize stressors for the dogs. So you're not crating next to another dog, you're not being yelled at, if the dog freezes because the floor is scary, no judgement because a lot of people have had a dog freeze when faced with a new surface.
The judge sometimes likes the dog more than the handler, but in fairness, that's because I'm more likely to have screwed up the search than the dog.
A lot of anxious dogs have built confidence doing nose work.
As I said earlier, I had two high energy, smart puppies. Dog sports got us through their adolescence without blood or a nervous breakdown.
Thanks, Bridget, for sharing all this and for the "Fear Free" resources. ""Tired dogs are good dogs and good dogs are happy dogs." - I couldn't agree more!
Thank you, Nancy. I am so glad I listened to my gut. I also think it's important to acknowledge how difficult rescue can be (and my "Baby Bebe" is not difficult!).
Nothing you've mentioned or experienced is alarming to me as a long-term foster of multiple dogs. You've done all the right things and have been thorough in your thoughtfulness. It appears you are adapting as you witness and experiment. Go easy on yourself. No need to stress. Usa and B are lucky to have someone so patient and willing. Trauma is not easy to repair, but they have you on their side!
I thought of you last night. I sat down and propped my feet on the ottoman. Foster cat Midnight came and sat by my feet. He will never sit on my lap. The one time he did, Snickers came out of nowhere and spoke a few words to him. Next thing Midnight got down. SNickers did not get on m lap, just had to insert his ideas into the mix. Usa and B will find their groove. It may not be what you want or expect. It will just be.
Bosco and I just completed our 3-3-3 and we're both doing great. He's trusting me more and I'm seeing more of who he is. Our new partnership has a lot of promise. All good thoughts to you and your 4 legged family!
a dog settle in. Reading this story, I can see so much progress already. Beatrix came from an unknown source so nobody could say how much trauma she had. The fact that she trusts you already is a huge plus. I share your feelings and your love for her. 💖💖🐾🐾
I'm not a behaviorist, but I was involved in animal rescue for quite a few years and fostered a hundred or so dogs in that time. My unsolicited advice based on bringing many new dogs into the pack:
Feed them separately. It doesn't have to be in separate rooms, but at least at opposite ends of the kitchen with you standing in between. They shouldn't feel pressured by the presence of the other.
Are they crate trained or do you have crates? If you can feed them in their crates and make them feel like that's their "room" like a child would have their personal space, they can use the crate for chill time when play time has gotten too intense.
If play time turns into fight club, both dogs go into the crates for about half an hour. This gives them time for the adrenaline to leave their systems. Toss in a Nylabone so they can chew out their aggression. It's like a time out for kids.
Try to see the invisible offense that causes the switch from play to fight. Who is the one to take offense and does the other dog back off appropriately? I have had dogs who are toy possessive, but only for certain toys. Or they don't want their butt sniffed, or face. When they go from goofy, loose body to stiff body, that's the prelude to the fight. It can happen in a heartbeat. Once you learn the trigger, you can head it off.
And lots of praise and treats when they do it right. No punishments, just a time out when necessary. They're just like little kids testing their boundaries - with you and each other.
Woof long nap time
I think B will be absolutely fine. One or two altercations are inevitable. She sounds like a good girl and the dogs like each other. Like kids, a few squabbles occasionally. Don’t let them escalate that’s all. They’ll settle.
Thanks, Penny. That’s how I see it, too. And now it’s been over two weeks with no squabbles.
A beautiful girl❤️
She is. ❤️
I think you are iron the right track. Best of luck. 🙏❤️
Thank you.
I found with my two that young dogs need more exercise than the books recommend.
The mantra my vet and a couple of trainers used was "Tired dogs are good dogs and good dogs are happy dogs."
So if we had class at night, the dogs went to doggie daycare and they were more settled to learn.
Is your vet "Fear free"?
https://fearfreepets.com/
Because my vet now is and although it lengthens some appointments, overall it reduces stress for patients and owners.
Last (and this doesn't work for everyone because of schedules and costs -- dog sports.
Nose work specifically.
https://nacsw.net/about-us-0
Dog sports will exhaust the dog and give you an activity you can do together. Learning how to do them also exhausts the dogs. (Do you see the pattern?) It builds trust between you.
Nose work is designed for dogs to do what they do best but it is set up to minimize stressors for the dogs. So you're not crating next to another dog, you're not being yelled at, if the dog freezes because the floor is scary, no judgement because a lot of people have had a dog freeze when faced with a new surface.
The judge sometimes likes the dog more than the handler, but in fairness, that's because I'm more likely to have screwed up the search than the dog.
A lot of anxious dogs have built confidence doing nose work.
As I said earlier, I had two high energy, smart puppies. Dog sports got us through their adolescence without blood or a nervous breakdown.
😁
Thanks, Bridget, for sharing all this and for the "Fear Free" resources. ""Tired dogs are good dogs and good dogs are happy dogs." - I couldn't agree more!
Thanks for your love of dogs, your patience, and especially for sticking with your gut feelings about keeping this baby in your home.
Thank you, Nancy. I am so glad I listened to my gut. I also think it's important to acknowledge how difficult rescue can be (and my "Baby Bebe" is not difficult!).
💜💜💜thank you for working with her. every dog deserves a chance.
Thank you. Every one sure does.
Nothing you've mentioned or experienced is alarming to me as a long-term foster of multiple dogs. You've done all the right things and have been thorough in your thoughtfulness. It appears you are adapting as you witness and experiment. Go easy on yourself. No need to stress. Usa and B are lucky to have someone so patient and willing. Trauma is not easy to repair, but they have you on their side!
Thank you, Cindy. That's very helpful. I want to go with the flow as much as possible.
I thought of you last night. I sat down and propped my feet on the ottoman. Foster cat Midnight came and sat by my feet. He will never sit on my lap. The one time he did, Snickers came out of nowhere and spoke a few words to him. Next thing Midnight got down. SNickers did not get on m lap, just had to insert his ideas into the mix. Usa and B will find their groove. It may not be what you want or expect. It will just be.
Perfect example of sentient beings having their quirks.
My two rescues. Athena and her look like they could be sisters
I’ve had three rehomes and one rescue. It’s not easy, and it’s not a straight shot,
You’re invested, bright and reasonable. Some of it you can solve, and some you can most likely tolerate. Onward!
Thank you so much, Kathryn. Onward!
Bosco and I just completed our 3-3-3 and we're both doing great. He's trusting me more and I'm seeing more of who he is. Our new partnership has a lot of promise. All good thoughts to you and your 4 legged family!
Thank you, Kate. I am looking forward to the final "3!"
It takes time and patience to help
a dog settle in. Reading this story, I can see so much progress already. Beatrix came from an unknown source so nobody could say how much trauma she had. The fact that she trusts you already is a huge plus. I share your feelings and your love for her. 💖💖🐾🐾
Thank you, Anna. B has come a long way already indeed -- she listens and is good on the leash, and no potty accidents.
I'm not a behaviorist, but I was involved in animal rescue for quite a few years and fostered a hundred or so dogs in that time. My unsolicited advice based on bringing many new dogs into the pack:
Feed them separately. It doesn't have to be in separate rooms, but at least at opposite ends of the kitchen with you standing in between. They shouldn't feel pressured by the presence of the other.
Are they crate trained or do you have crates? If you can feed them in their crates and make them feel like that's their "room" like a child would have their personal space, they can use the crate for chill time when play time has gotten too intense.
If play time turns into fight club, both dogs go into the crates for about half an hour. This gives them time for the adrenaline to leave their systems. Toss in a Nylabone so they can chew out their aggression. It's like a time out for kids.
Try to see the invisible offense that causes the switch from play to fight. Who is the one to take offense and does the other dog back off appropriately? I have had dogs who are toy possessive, but only for certain toys. Or they don't want their butt sniffed, or face. When they go from goofy, loose body to stiff body, that's the prelude to the fight. It can happen in a heartbeat. Once you learn the trigger, you can head it off.
And lots of praise and treats when they do it right. No punishments, just a time out when necessary. They're just like little kids testing their boundaries - with you and each other.
Hope this helps!
Thank you, Dawn.