Do i tell her off?!

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poiuytrewq

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Now new girl is not happy for my dogs to come in the house! (or leave once they are in) She likes to lie by the back door in the sun and they are growled at if they try and pass either way, or if they happen to get too close to her in general.
I've taken her food up and hidden it away, bowl included. Do I reprimand the slightly aggressive behaviour or just ignore it for now?
 
I'd be controlling movements personally- it's still early days. I'd not leave doors open and not leave dogs together, but walk together and be outisde together so no problems.
 
Agree, I'd currently be trying to avoid any flash points - so narrow spaces (keep the doors shut), food lying about, toys lying about etc. If you want them to go out, make sure everybody is calm and sitting before you allow this and keep it a controlled process - put the leads on if you need to. If she's been an only dog, getting used to sharing will be something that will take time.

Away from any guarding issues, I wouldn't worry too much about her trying to keep the others at a distance for now, so long as the situation isn't escalating. She's probably feeling quite insecure - new people, new place, and all these other dogs about is a lot to handle for a dog - I think mine would get a bit grumpy as well in that situation. If you reprimand a growl too much, you may just suppress the growl and leave her feeling she has to move to the next stage - which would be a snap. So let her keep the others away if they are accepting of that - obviously if it's looking likely to turn into something nastier you need to intervene and honestly, that's when I'd say you need help from someone who can actually go and take a look rather than online, simply because you can only assess what's happening so much from the written word.
 
I would move her from the area before the issue esculates. She is new but she needs to learn the rules and what is and not acceptable. It will take time for her to settle with your dogs but she needs to learn she also cannot prevent their movement, you have done right by removing toys/food or anything that can provoke conflict but I personally would move her on from the spot she is grumbling from also.
 
She won't be growly about being moved, she genuinely has a lovely temperament hence I've been surprised at this issue.
So just to make sure!

Eg- she's growling at one of mine trying to take a drink from the water bowl so I just take her collar and move her away, allowing the other dog to drink?
 
If one of my dogs did this whether they are mine or foster I would point away and say oy get out and the dog would comply, I wouldnt shout it but would say it in an authoritative manner and with my body language the dog would know it had to move. I would be wary of taking her collar in those situations not knowing the dog as you could be setting her up to bite you, I dont see the need personally for leading her out.
 
depending how sensitive the others dogs in the house are to your voice and body language I would leave a line on her and any resource guarding with mean instant movement from the location via a tug on the line-I would want her to learn to move herself from a situation she feels she has to be 'guardy' in, so would not want to be directly involved in the moving as far as the dogs are concerned. she would not be allowed to lay near doorways if they are areas she guards-I consistantly more her from them by using the line.
the idea is you are showing there that there is another way to deal with the situation-the only other thing is due to her weight could she be in any pain when getting up and she is trying to keep the other dogs away from her space?
 
poiuytrewq said:
She won't be growly about being moved, she genuinely has a lovely temperament hence I've been surprised at this issue.
So just to make sure!

Eg- she's growling at one of mine trying to take a drink from the water bowl so I just take her collar and move her away, allowing the other dog to drink?
Click to expand...

If she has a lovely temperament I would be curious to know how relationships are between the dogs when you're not there. Just a thought.
 
Fellewell said:
If she has a lovely temperament I would be curious to know how relationships are between the dogs when you're not there. Just a thought.
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I don't ever leave them alone. One us at work all day with my partner. Two come with me in the morning and she stays at home. I come back at lunch time so she spends about 4 hours alone then im back supervising.
If I have to work afternoons I've taken her instead and left the others, it all gets complicated!
To be honest today's been a lot better, she's very waggy tailed today, and has tried (still in a slightly growly manner) to join in the playing or at one point actually seemed to be initiating play.
Fingers x'd
 
poiuytrewq said:
I don't ever leave them alone. One us at work all day with my partner. Two come with me in the morning and she stays at home. I come back at lunch time so she spends about 4 hours alone then im back supervising.
If I have to work afternoons I've taken her instead and left the others, it all gets complicated!
To be honest today's been a lot better, she's very waggy tailed today, and has tried (still in a slightly growly manner) to join in the playing or at one point actually seemed to be initiating play.
Fingers x'd
Click to expand...

Sounds like a logistical nightmare, so I'm guessing the sofa got eaten in the afternoon!?

She had a litter 18 months ago and she's eight years did you say? I would certainly look into getting her spayed, hopefully there are vet records to help you with any health queries. Good luck with everything.
 
No it's not that bad really, sounds a nightmare written down but I come home for lunch and if I need to go back out swap dogs!

She has been spayed, I couldn't have had her otherwise. The puppies were a second accidental litter so she was done after they went to new homes.
 
Oh and yes the vets were really helpful once they knew the situation. She's 8.5 been spayed, all bloods were clear and she's never had any major accidents or illness. Last seen in the beginning of May for fleas!
 
It sounds like she is settling in and you are doing a good job, I never ignore an unwanted behaviour, I dont punish them for it I either get them to do what I want with a treat and praise or remove them from the situation. I will train them so they dont repeat it. When I have a foster dog in very often they have been allowed to do exactly as they wanted but here they have to follow my rules and any unwanted behaviour I will get rid of it using the most appropriate method, when the dogs are adopted out they are issue free and very occasionaly they will develop a new one I havnt seen before like grabbing the mail through the letterbox. As none of my dogs have had access to the front door I just suggested the new owner put a box up, problem solved.

I never make allowances for the foster dogs however much a horrible life they had before because I know with rules and routine they settle very quickly and adapt, I might sneak them an extra treat out of the way of the others but I dont give them extra cuddles or allow them to get away with anything.
 
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