Existing dog not accepting new rescue dog

sarahann1

sarahann1

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How long realistically should it take for an existing dog (he’s 7yrs) to get along with a new dog in the house (she’s approx 5mths).

He’s playing away fine with her at the park, but hating having her in the house, growling and showing his teeth. We’ll have had her two weeks tomorrow and there’s been very little in the way of him showing he’s going to be happy with her being in the house.

The rescue want a decision from us now whether she stays or goes, it’s breaking my heart at the thought of her going back, but also breaking my heart seeing my existing dog so unhappy/unsettled with her. :(
 
If he's been a single dog for a long time, try and see it from his point of view.
I'd utilise things like stair gates and crates, let each of them have their own space and not try and force them to be best mates immediately.
I have two dogs who live here but separately if that makes sense, I can PM you our daily routine if you think that would help.
 
Well my two greyhound boys had a spectacular fight after about 9 months of seemingly getting on fine..... and ever since then, they have got on a lot better ?

Rescues will take anywhere between 6-12 months to really settle in and show their true characters, there is quite an age gap between your two so I’m not surprised that your boy feels like his nose has been put out of joint at home.

As others have said, I’d be making sure that both dogs can have their own space, are getting individual fuss and attention etc. I’ve never had a rescue dog that didn’t settle, but 2 weeks is no time at all really
 
We kept an adult Rottweiler and 2x 8 week old pups separated in the same room/garden by judicious use of crates, which the Rott was used to, and leads for a month. She was desperate to play with the pups but is a very big girl and they were tiny in comparison. She actually played very gently with them (if somewhat noisily) when we allowed them to mix enough to play.
 
Ours got on really well from the start, but it was a couple of months before they were left alone ever. We've still got the crate sup, we just took the door off. We have to be aware its a 2 bed house with 3 dogs, so theres 4 spots in the bedroom and 4 downstairs. If the younger one bothers anyone too much, we dont allow it. shes distracted until she settles and the older one chooses where he wants to go for peace and quiet,
 
Mine got on ok. Helps that Mrs Spaniel isnt really all that bothered about other dogs and Miss Collie didnt know how to play to begin with so kept to herself.
They had a couple of squabbles organising who was in charge and one major dustup when Miss Collie forgot to brake and clattered Mrs Spaniel knocking her flying. Its the only time i've I've really seen them have a pop and have to seperate them. Rest of time they get on ok in house doing their own thing. Mrs Spaniel likes playing with a ball outside and Miss Collie likes herding her (or attempting to) and they muddle along fine!
 
Amymay said:
What’s the puppy’s temperament like? Typical boisterous behaviour?
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She’s a normal boisterous puppy yes, though she submits to him immediately anytime he’s given her a warning.

Thanks everyone else for your replies, that’s reassuring to hear everyone has made it work one way or another.
 
I may get shouted down about this but also in my experience you are much less likely to have real trouble between a dog and a bitch? They generally potentially get on a lot better than 2 dogs or 2 bitches might.

my big fella Ace (6 in September) has been incredibly patient with Millie lurcher from the start, even though he has taken nearly a year to settle in properly - she is 3 but still rags him endlessly and hangs around his neck (literally) as he is twice her size, he just plays with her or if he can’t be bothered pretends she isn’t there ?
 
sarahann1 said:
She’s a normal boisterous puppy yes, though she submits to him immediately anytime he’s given her a warning.

Thanks everyone else for your replies, that’s reassuring to hear everyone has made it work one way or another.
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Some older dogs simply can’t abide puppies (my own for instance), and so you might find the situation improves as the puppy grows older and calmer.
 
Levrier said:
I may get shouted down about this but also in my experience you are much less likely to have real trouble between a dog and a bitch? They generally potentially get on a lot better than 2 dogs or 2 bitches might.

my big fella Ace (6 in September) has been incredibly patient with Millie lurcher from the start, even though he has taken nearly a year to settle in properly - she is 3 but still rags him endlessly and hangs around his neck (literally) as he is twice her size, he just plays with her or if he can’t be bothered pretends she isn’t there ?
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how does the lovely George fit in?
 
Parrotperson said:
how does the lovely George fit in?
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I think it’s safe to say the idea of ‘fitting in’ doesn’t occur to George ? When he arrived I had 2 dogs and 2 bitches - my beautiful Amy lurcher was always good with other dogs so she accepted him from day one without a murmur. Marty greyhound pretended George wasn’t there, and still does so - although to be honest Marty pretends most things aren’t there except me ?? Ace wanted to eat George which was interesting.... but George was quite clear he wasn’t having it and snapped back, so Ace gave up pretty quickly. Millie lurcher is (as always!) slightly more of a challenge- she wants to play with George and he does NOT want to play with her, he will only play with me, and they’ve had a few spats about food. I’d be very wary about leaving them alone together, but Millie is a tricky little madam at the best of times...

so basically George toddles around doing his own thing and barking a lot ??? He is left apart from the others when I go out, it all works fine, they just tolerate each other really ?
 
Took Brig several weeks to accept the pups. To be fair, we were stupid to imagine he’d merrily accept 2 very lively puppies with no issues. They deliberately tormented him and found it hilarious when he reacted. We separated them and gave him big dog time with us and he then decided he loved them.
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She is very cute!!

Mine don't have a big age gap between them, just a year, and so I didn't really predict any trouble. They are also a dog and a bitch, which I have found always works well. They were best buddies for the first few months but then my older dog went through a phase of resource guarding his favourite spaces in the house (ie my bed, his food dish, the treat cupboard) and he had a couple of pops at the bitch pup. She didn't retaliate at all and was very wary around him inside the house for a little while, although they still got on brilliantly outside. Fast forward a couple of months and they are definitely best buddies again. They sleep snuggled up against one another and play all the time. It is really satisfying to see and makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside, as all my dogs have tended to prefer my company to those of the other dogs and none have had the relationship these two have.

I am glad to hear you are going to keep her and persevere. I am sure it will be alright in the end.
 
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