cthyreno: Our 5 mo old doxie is very aggressive (fights)and jealous of our 3 mo doxie. How do I go about keeping peace?
We purchase a doxie one month ago and it has been established from our vet that she was abused physically and mentally by the cleaning person at the pet shop (every thing from slapping her from her food (we have had a horrible time getting her to eat), teasing her and physical slaps and pulling of her little ears, the Good Lord only knows what else as she is terrified of MEN (which includes my husbad and it breaks his heart). One of my husbands clients gave us a 3 mo doxie, and she is adorable . . . the problem is that our 5 mo. old is jealous and has at times been to aggresive with her, which means actually getting her down around the neck and fighting. I find this totally disturbing, how can I rectify this and still let the 5 mo. know she is toally loved.
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Answer by novel_kennels
I'm so sorry to hear about the history on your puppy. That's the bad thing about pet shops. Finding a breeder that personally cares for each dog, and sells it directly from their home, is a much better way to go.
It sounds like there are quite a few issues going on, but let's make sure that the puppies are actually "fighting" and not just playing like puppies do. I have two puppies about the same age as yours, 2.5 mos and 4.5 mos. They routinely run, jump, knock each other over, bite each other in the ears and on the neck, growl and bark at each other. It's ALL playing. Very occasionally, one or the other will play too rough, and a different "I mean it" growl will come out. Then they get separated for a bit, until they calm back down. That always works. They're just puppies and they are learning from each other what is appropriate play and what is too rough. It's best to let them learn that now when they are small.
You must also make sure that they know that you are the leader. And you will want to decide which pup is next on the hierarchy ladder. All dog packs have a hierarchy, and each dog has a specific place on that ladder of order. I have 5 dogs and they have an order, and I acknowledge that order to keep the peace in the house. The "Top" dog gets to eat first, gets to go out the door first, gets petted first, gets the treat first, etc. But you must remember, you are actually the TOP top dog, and so you should go out all doors first, you should eat your meals before them, etc.
Hopefully, treating them one above the other will help your older doxie understand that you know that she is higher up on the ladder. She will then stop trying so hard to instill her dominance over the younger dog. That should create some peace.
Good Luck!!
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wolfribbon says
We have an alaskan malamute who was severely abused before we got her. She still (after having her for 6 years) asks for permission to eat. Try feeding her from your hand. Cheese is a good food to use to get her to eat. All dogs love cheese.
I suggest taking her off to another part of the house or outside for periods of time. That way you can be alone with her to let her know she's special. She has been through alot of abuse and needs special care. You need to love her like you've never loved a dog before. Tell her that her days of being abused are over & that she'll never have to endure that again.
You need to be the one to help bring her out of this. Your husband can tend to the other puppy while you're tending to the abused one.
The abused one thinks that the younger one is there to take her place. Reassure the abused one that that is not the case. The abused one has finally found a good home & is learning what it is to be loved for the first time in her life. She feels threatened by the new puppy. She is afraid of losing her new found good home.
This will take ALOT of patience and love on your part. As far as your husband goes, I completely understand about that. Our malamute was afraid of my husband too. It took her a year to trust him & she still trusts me more than him. Your abused doxie may never completely trust your husband but don't force the issue. Eventually, your dog will realize that not all men are bad.
Just try to have your husband be nice to the younger doxie in front of the abused one. Eventually the abused one will get the idea that your husband isn't like the ass**** that abused her.
I am so sorry for your dog. I have worked with abandoned and abused animals for about 30 years now. I will never understand why people are so cruel to God's creatures. Good luck & if you need anymore help, I'd be glad to help out.