errica

I know most of you read and replied to my thread about my pup being terrified of, well, everything. Thanks again! He is much better overall, but I would like to get him and our 3 year old dobe to interact more and enjoy each other.

Athena (3yr old) was interested in the pup, but he was so scared that she has become rather neutral.

Apollo (9 weeks old) was terrified of Athena at first, now he will co-exist in the same room but he is much more interested in me or hubby.

My goal is for them to love each other, entertain each other when we aren't home and live happily ever after. I am fine with it taking time, but how long should it take and is there any right or wrong way to get them to spend more time together?

My other big concern is that Athena isn't getting as much attention right now since the pup has to be watched all the time. Hubby and I are taking turns giving Athena lots of attention and praise, but she isn't in the house with us quite as much as before. Am I being a terrible doggy mom? Should I just let Athena in tonight and keep an eye on them but let them work it out?

voodoolizard

im sorry you are havin trouble.

im not sure what to say, as it was different for me.

we got missy when she was nearly 2 and zeus was 1and a bit.

the first few days were stressfull, they were at each other etc.

on day 3 i got so fed up i put them in the kitchen together and just left them. i was in the house so it would not be horrible.

after a few hours of whining.. pacing, barking etc.

they emerged the best of friends..

you might need to contact a professional trainer to get one on one advice.

or if you think the older dog would not be harmfull maybe concider when yuu and hubby are at home,

just putting them togther for a bit alone and just let them work it out ??

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Zeus,Missy & Clare

errica

I am not a patient person, and yesterday my vet told me I am expecting too much. My husband could have told the vet that years ago...

So I got home with Apollo after his vet visit, which went great - he got his second round of shots and all kinds of love and attention from the whole office staff - and I decided that is wasn't fair to Athena to keep her outside anymore than usual. I figured I know she isn't going to hurt him, she knows she isn't going to hurt him, I don't speak dog so the only way to tell Apollo that Athena isn't going to hurt him is to show him.

I cut up some watermelon, Athena's fav treat, and let her in. She came running in like an idiot, as she always does, and Apollo sqealed, peed a tiny bit and then stopped, licked Athena's nose and bit her ear. She just looked at him like he had three heads. I gave Athena a bite of watermelon and she spit it out on the floor and used her nose to push it over to Apollo. (YES, I just about cried when I saw this gesture) and he ate it. That was the end of the fear of Athena. The hubby came home to me and both dogs sitting on the living room floor sharing a couple pieces of watermelon.

This morning the pup tried to climb Athena. I couldn't get to my camera fast enough though! The bonus of them getting along is that Athena tired him out last night so when it was crate time he only had the energy to cry for 20 seconds and then he went to sleep. And slept ALL NIGHT! Woke up around 5:30 and went potty outside then terrorized the whole house while we got ready for work.

As I was leaving I filled the kong with a bit of peanut butter and it turns out a PB filled Kong is now more interesting than me. Thank God for small triumphs!

Jax

Good for you and your babies! I have been following your posts as one of my guys is not taking to my new baby as good as I would like. Maybe watermellon is the ticket! Anyway, glad everything as worked out for everyone!

errica

Oh goodness, so you have seen what a spaz I am, and what a clueless puppy owner I am!

I am amazed at all the awesome tricks that the folks here on DT have. I felt 100% better just knowing I had an arsenal of things to try if one didn't work. I think part of the success had to do with my confidence, which I got here!

Good luck!

poconogal

I've been following your thread too and I'm so glad that its finally working out well. Your idea about letting Apollo see that Athena is not to be feared was a good one!

errica

I don't know if I should be flattered or worried that folks actually read what I type! But thanks!

I just couldn't take the idea of Athena's quality of life being impacted negatively at all. She is a fabulous dog, the whole reason I wanted another one, and I wanted her to be a part of the puppy coming home, not just some poor doig stuck in the backyard because something newer came along.

BlackandTans

Alright!! Sounds like everything is going VERY well!! I remember the first day we brought Duke home and I as a little nervous about him meeting Mia. She was only a little over 1 so they took to eachother right away! And having them tire eachother out IS the best part!!

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cookie725

I love it, I love it, I love it!!!! Lol Though this has been stressful at times -- your posts have been fabulous!! Thank you.

I am so glad you have made progress! Yay and high five to watermelon!

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errica

Thank you! I was watching your progress with Vito before I got the pup, thinking that it would be nice to chat with someone who has just gone through what I am facing! How is the posting going?

When hubby got home I gave him a full debriefing on the vet visit. I closed with the part about the vet saying Apollo was doing great and that I just expect too much. He looked at me, completely serious, and said "what's the vet's number, I am going to find out how much that little gem of info cost you, so I can get a refund. Heck, I'll fill her in on all your other quirks and maybe that'll save her some time and earn us some credit towards the next set of shots!" Thanks honey...where the heck was he when I was worried about the little one's progress??

As for the watermelon, I don't know what we are going to do when it's out of season! I guess find another safe fruit or veggie that can be the special treat. I want somethig like that, something we can all sit down together and enjoy, and something I can have on hand for BBQs so that folks don't give my dogs hamburgers drenched in sauce and cheese! I know that they mean well, but I have to clean up the aftermath!