Advice needed

[sandaharr]

Hi everybody,I have given this person as much advice as I can but I have never experienced this problem.Neo,BB puppy(5mths),fantastic temperament,very laid back and easy going,loves other dogs and their rabbits(sits on the sofa with a rabbit on his head!!!LOL),was supposed to be half and half house and outside dog,now a much loved family pet,always indoors.Meet his house mate Buddy,a 3yr old Lhasa.Buddy is very,very spoiled and now that Della is also staying there is very jealous of Neo as he sees della as being his!!.They are going to have him(Buddy) neutered and Della spayed.I have advised feeding separately as the Lhasa was not letting Neo get to his dinner,have also advised that sleeping arrangements will have to change,Buddy upstairs as normal and Neo in the kitchen.When left alone dogs must be separated and basic obedience taught to stop Neo following his owner all around the house like a sheep.What advice can I give for the behaviour of the Lhasa apart from being very firm and taking no nonsense.I feel a bit sorry for him as he is like an only child and then these other family members have descended upon him unexpectedly.Advice please,thanks in advance.

[mayahund]

Hi Sandra!
Don't know if this will help but this is what we did;
As you might know our situation was similar, Mubi came to live with us at the age of 4. Chilis born here and VERY spoiled, and she was almost 1 year when Mubi moved in. Chili's also a dominant female whereas Mubi didn't seem to bother with her own rank really the first year or so.

When Mubi moved in the dogs were not allowed together at all indoors or on our property for several weeks. Only when we were out on "no mans land" were they allowed tighter. Then slowly, slowly we let them play together in the garden and then be together shorter sessions indoor. I run a VERY tight ship for several months, maybe a year. Then when all went well - they were allowed together. The only period they weren't allowed together were when Chili was going into heat (up to 3 weeks before heat season since Chili's very PMS).

None of my dogs have ever been allowed to eat together - I find that an unnecessary strain on the dogs. They still eat separately but at the same time, with a gate in between them.

During this period they got equal amounts of individual cuddling and training time with me/us.

I do not allow Chili to BS. She will get told off in no uncertain terms. When living with them one learns to detect the early signs of domination and so on.

Now I live in bliss! Both dogs love each other and plays great together.
Ewa

[buliebuse]

Hi Sandra
Definately no expert me - but I for one never allow Buse on furniture or upstairs(Mean cow I know ).When Clive or kids come in , they meet & greet other 'humans' first & then lastly the dog.Also am/pm who ever is around first & no-one else is in the house there is a 5 minute 'ignore' time.Could think of nothing worse than coming in with shopping & being jumped all over by a large dog.
Would say they need to make the Lhasa 'Leader' - ie meet & greet,feed & fuss first etc - but he does sound a wee bit spoilt IMVHO.
& as we all know a BB given an inch of rope will take a mile!
As much help as ever as an ashtray on a motor-bike , but at least I try!
Ju

[temwani]

Hi Sandra,

There are two issues here, the relationship between the dogs in terms of hierarchy and the relationship with the family.

I would suggest that you, (because the family may be too close to see what is really happening) observe the dogs at play to determine the pack order between the dogs. Given a natural state which dog would dominate? The house rules then need to reinforce the pack order.

Obviously humans first then dogs with the higher ranking dog given slight priviledges than the lower dog. For example - feed separate but the higher ranking gets his/her's first. When dogs are taken out of the car - highest goes first etc.. By determining the natural order of things you remove the need for the dogs to debate it and the naturally less dominant dog can relax and let the other lead.

I agree with previous advice given. This has to be in the context of the humans being most in charge and I would put strict rules in place to ensure this is really clear. Long down stays in the evening - (whilst watching TV??) can really help. Again release higher ranking dog first.

Most of the spolit dog stuff is more in our minds than theirs and it takes a dog only 24 hours to adjust to a new situation if it is consistently applied.

Hope this helps.

Geri