Bruschi's mom here. Ok so fostering Tyson is NOT going as planned. Bruschi and him are now fighting every chance they get. Bruschi is not, and has never been an alpha dog. He's the most calm and passive dog and loves to play with all dogs. The first night, Tyson was all over Bruschi and Bruschi literally laid there and just whimpered and shook. By day 2, Bruschi had apparently had enough and actually started snapping and snarling at Tyson! Bruschi has never in his life even growled at another dog, let alone show teeth and snarl!! Well today is Day 3, and it's only getting worse. Every time the 2 of them are in the same room, they go at it and I have to break them up and put them in opposite sides of the house. It is EXHAUSTING! I don't know what to do to get them to get along, and I am not going to let them fight it out in my living room. Tyson has been shuffled from one foster home to the next, and he is SUCH a good dog, and wants someone to love him. That's very evident. But he is trying to claim me.....and everytime he comes near me, Bruschi goes after him. It's putting me in a difficult situation and I am not sure what to do. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks! Christen, Bruschi's Mom
11 comments:
I don't know what I would do -- sorry I can't give any advice. Must be so hard....
I know when I get into it with the house cat mommy uses a water squirter with us but this is a lot more serious!! I hope you figure out something that works or tyson get adopted asap!!!
lola.
We are sorry to hear you and Tyson aren't getting along. I would not be very happy with another dog trying to take my place either so I don't blame you one bit. My mom used to foster dogs but that was during a period in her life when she had no dogs of her own, only kitties. So she never had a situation like this. We know from reading books and watching the tellyvision that your mom should be the pack leader and then the dogs work out who is next in the pecking order. But seeing your own pet being pushed around, specially in his own home, is hard to accept so it's understandable you not wanting to let them work it out on their own. Have you taken them on long exhausting walks together? We see Cesar doing that and every buddy then gets along. Don't know if that will work or not but if Tyson is really tired maybe he won't wanna fight.
Good luck and hang in there dude.
Waggles,
Bijou
I'm so sorry to hear about that! My cousin Tails is just like that, and he would try to wrestle Knuckles and I whenever the humans aren't looking.
I can only cross my paws that someone else has better advice for you!
Sonic
Hi, I saw your post and just wanted to let you know about some of our experiences. When we were looking into getting our second dog, our trainer told us that dogs are generally dog selective, and just like we don't like other people, they might not like other dogs. Your foster group should be able to help you with this...did they do a formal introduction when Tyson came to live in your house? Sometimes it's just a matter of having a slow introduction, and setting limits, rather than introducing a new dog that immediately comes in and starts playing with all the toys and taking over. Make sure that Bruschi knows he's still the top dog--gets fed first, gets petted first, gets toys first, etc. Tyson needs to know he is second dog, and sometimes it's ok for Bruschi to snap at him because it's just a correction and it's the only way that Tyson will learn.It's just natural for the dogs. Check again with your foster group, but it might just be an acclimation period, where Bruschi needs to show he is top dog (which is completely natural) or figure out if he just doesn't like him, which in everyone's case there may be a better placement.
I agree with Schwang. Mom used to give Boomer and I time outs too in our crates when we got a bit rambunctious . Mom still makes sure I am the top dog (not that there was ever any argument there) by giving me my food first, treats first etc. I also still get quality time with Mom and Dad 1:1. I love my cuddle time. Good luck guys! I hope things get better soon.
Thanks for all the feedback! I have been doing everything to make Bruschi top dog, feeding him first, walking him first, greeting him first, etc. And they are walking 5 miles each a day (yes I am exhausted) and nothing seems to tire out Tyson! Today is going a bit better then yesterday, so Im going to keep doing what Im doing, and hopefully as time goes on, they will learn to get along!
Thanks again everyone!!
i think you better be the alpha to both of them. sounds like ty is trying to be the alpha of you and bruschi. crate him when you are gone? glad to hear you are walking them together. 5 miles? you go girl. :) keep him on leash in the house?
any training you can do with him would be great so he can get adopted. make him work for his food. make him go down in front of you. teach him stuff. sit etc.
just teach him how you want him to act. no one has prob. done that yet.
oh pray.
bought one of those bungie leashes you told us about. i was at the IKC dog show today. took it for a test run tonight. works great. thanks!
I wish I were qualified to answer - but I have access to a behaviorist. If you don't have luck please e-mail me and I'll put you in touch...
oh this just too bad. You want to do such a nice thing but Bruschi has to come first.
Can you get any advice from the rescue you fostering through. Mum's on a good rescue forum (it in the uk, but has members from all over) there lots of people involved in foster and rescue and they might has some advice for you. the addess www.ruffdogs.org.uk
~lickies, Ludo
It's Me or the Dog Check out this Episode Not exactly your problem but might help... Sydney
http://animal.discovery.com/videos/its-me-or-dog-difficult-dogs/
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