Getting a new dog-2 bitches

[tinker512]

Ok my mam rang me up yesterday saying they might be getting a Alsation.

Someone we know runs a kennels and they have the poor dog and if a home isn't found by Sunday she has is being PTS. Step-Dad saw he yesterday and fell in love as she looks like our old dog who we lost and never found again.Apparently she is abit timid and needs condition putting on.

My only concern is that they already have another dog who HATES other bitches, its a real problem as they know as she goes mental whenever one walks down the lane and jumps out and attacks them. The garden has been secured since but she can still get out, she is like a dog on springs when she jumps.At times they have looked at finding her a new home becuase it is such a problem.I said what about Cassie and she said she will just have to get used to it?TBH I think they will kill each other!

Poor Cassie is already hated by stepdad as he doesn't consider her to be a 'real' dog....obviously an alsation is!

Just can see it going really wrong, Cass doesn't get walked enough as it is and I don't want her getting pushed out like she did when the cats come!

Its going to be a mad house with 3 cats and 2 dogs in not a very big house!!

Do you think it will be possible for the 2 of them to get on?

 

[ridebumble]

Sounds like a recipe for disaster if you ask me, no offence but your step dad(or mum as its her dog too) doesn't exactly sound like the kind of owner to deal with potential aggression problems with the current dog, never mind bringing another dog into the household who could have problems which may well be made worse by the current dog.
In saying that if the gsd is about to be put down it could be a last chance for her too, does the house have enough room to seperate them?

How often do they go to training for existing dog to try and fix this problem? They are already talking about getting rid, thus creating another possible rescue case!

The worst dogs fights I have seen (at training clubs etc) have all been between bitches, males often back down after a nip, bitches seem to want to do a lot more damage.

 

[tinker512]

[ QUOTE ]
Sounds like a recipe for disaster if you ask me, no offence but your step dad(or mum as its her dog too) doesn't exactly sound like the kind of owner to deal with potential aggression problems with the current dog, never mind bringing another dog into the household who could have problems which may well be made worse by the current dog.
In saying that if the gsd is about to be put down it could be a last chance for her too, does the house have enough room to seperate them?

How often do they go to training for existing dog to try and fix this problem? They are already talking about getting rid, thus creating another possible rescue case!

The worst dogs fights I have seen (at training clubs etc) have all been between bitches, males often back down after a nip, bitches seem to want to do a lot more damage.

[/ QUOTE ]

The only thing done is to secure the garden more as other than that she isn't a problem at all (minus stealing the cats food). As for spereating them if need be there is the front room and kitchen.My mum also has MS so if left on her own with the two of them and something happens there is nothing that she can do!

I agree it does seem like recipe for disaster, but step dad seems smitten which mean they will probably get it, i'm just worried that if Cassie does decide to go for her (which we know will happen!!!) then she will get shouted at and punished when it is only her natural instinct!!!

ahhhh!!

 

[MurphysMinder]

Sorry, agree it sounds like a disaster waiting to happen. When bitches fight it can be frightening, as you say your step dad doesn't consider your existing dog a "proper" dog I presume she is a lot smaller than a German Shepherd (please not Alsatian) so she could end up seriously hurt if a fight breaks out.
However, if the rescue kennels do a proper home check, and assess the temperament of their existing bitch I would think it is unlikely they will be allowed to take on the GSD.

 

[ridebumble]

[ QUOTE ]
, i'm just worried that if Cassie does decide to go for her (which we know will happen!!!) then she will get shouted at and punished when it is only her natural instinct!!!

ahhhh!!

[/ QUOTE ]

What breed is existing dog, small gsd is 23+ kg and if cassie is half decent size separating them isn't going to be easy, I have had to separate gsd's on a couple of occasions and its not easy, one dog nearly had its leg ripped off

, chances are your mum might not be able to cope (and risks being bitten) and if cassie flies at other dogs it only needs a slip of a door/ being left open, anytime in the next 5 years? for this to happen making it almost inevitable.

Cassie should not be aggressive, she is probably trying to defend her pack, she probably thinks she's alpha and if you got her as a young pup then her current temperament will largely be due to her upbringing and lack of socialisation, making the garden dog proof just hides the problem, it hasn't solved it.

I don't mean to have a go at you, but without all the facts it would seem that parents are being very irresponsible

 

[tinker512]

Current dog is a medium size heinz 45

She gets on with dogs fine, although she first got aggressive after an encounter with a Rotty Pup who we think scared her a bit, although she gets on with this dog fine.There are two bitches in the area we have to look out for, both who walk up the the lane at the side of our garden. One is a cocker spaniel, who she has fought with many a time, and I have to admit it is very very frightening, I didn't know what to do I was just screaming.The other one is a little terrier who luckily she hasn't managed to get to yet but she does go mental when she see's her.

However there is one bitch she has got on with and that was the bitch next door at an old house, which she knew from being a pup.Oh and actually we do have a bitch living next door to her currently and they have the odd sniff through the fence and not alot happens

Going to try my best to talk my mam out of it but at end of the day what step dad says goes....thank god I don't have to live there!

 

[Nicki85]

If you can't stop them getting the dog then all you can focus on is their first meeting.

She sounds like she is protecting her territory running up and down the side of the fence. And when out does she normally try and attack on the lead? This is another sign that she is trying to protect you.

I would suggest that the dogs meet on neutral territory, very relaxed (although your dog looks like it has quite a bit of terrier in it so maybe not that relaxed!) but as slack leads as possible. I f the dog can feel the tension up the lead they think there is something wrong, time to get defensive.

Getting them both home fit a stair gate let them sniff through it. Make sure the strange dog has a chance to check out its new territory so it knows its hiding places etc. Depending on how it goes leave the stair gate up for a week and gradually let them have time together. Make sure there is nothing for them to fight over food toys etc. Also if your dog gets excited in the garden don't let them out together.

One tip to make them feel more like a pack is to walk them together, with the other muzzled if need be, your dog will learn to accept the new dog as a pack member, not a threat.

Hope that helps, and if there is a fight a bucket of water may help..... goodluck

 

[tinker512]

[ QUOTE ]
If you can't stop them getting the dog then all you can focus on is their first meeting.

She sounds like she is protecting her territory running up and down the side of the fence. And when out does she normally try and attack on the lead? This is another sign that she is trying to protect you.

I would suggest that the dogs meet on neutral territory, very relaxed (although your dog looks like it has quite a bit of terrier in it so maybe not that relaxed!) but as slack leads as possible. I f the dog can feel the tension up the lead they think there is something wrong, time to get defensive.

Getting them both home fit a stair gate let them sniff through it. Make sure the strange dog has a chance to check out its new territory so it knows its hiding places etc. Depending on how it goes leave the stair gate up for a week and gradually let them have time together. Make sure there is nothing for them to fight over food toys etc. Also if your dog gets excited in the garden don't let them out together.

One tip to make them feel more like a pack is to walk them together, with the other muzzled if need be, your dog will learn to accept the new dog as a pack member, not a threat.

Hope that helps, and if there is a fight a bucket of water may help..... goodluck

[/ QUOTE ]


Thank you thats all good advice.We have a field just outside the house so will do it there if possible.

On the lead she is very well behaved and you wouldn't think she had a problem, although she definatly tenses up and hackle comes up if she see's the spaniel on a walk, becomes obsessed

 

[CorvusCorax]

Sorry, I think it is a terrible idea, especially if the GSD is already 'timid' - this can be a huge problem in a GSD, she may be a fear-biter, she may feel insecure and she be just as dog-aggressive as your exisiting dog.

I am another who has had to watch two females fighting (both GSDs) and it can be horrific.
Your dog-aggressive female will NOT 'get used to it'.
I have a dog-aggressive male GSD and I have been working with him both at home and with the assistance of three police dog trainers, for almost a year and while he has come on in leaps and bounds, he is not yet sorted - and he is only 20 months old and has only been with me for just over a year, not established in your household like Cassie.

Show this thread to your step-dad if you like.
GSDs are 'real' dogs alright, but they can also have 'real' problems and issues, and I say that as a lifelong GSD fanatic.

 

[tinker512]

Yep I said that too about her being so timid she may be the one who snaps.

As for current dog's aggression, me and my mam only found out yesterday that my little sister had taken our dog and the spaniel (which she hates) on a walk together with the owner and it was the Spaniel who bit ours first!Can't believe my sister hadn't thought to tell us this until now when we have been wondering for so long what made her suddenly change.

I haven't managed to talk them out of it, but they have agreed to do the meeting in neutral territory and if they really don't get on then she will have to go back.The saddening thing is that step-dad is claiming the dog as his own, is going to walk it everyday and do this and that, but when I mentioned the fact he could take Cassie out with her he said no he wouldn't be seen dead in public with her, poor Cass

 

[MurphysMinder]

Well you have done your best, just hope everything turns out okay but would be really concerned. Doesn't sound like the kennel has carried out its homecheck very well. Poor Cass, what an awful thing to say. Hope this won't offend you but your step dad sounds like the sort of person I would never sell a GSD to, just likes the image of being seen with a "macho" dog

 

[tinker512]

Yep thats all it is, whenever me and my mum voice concerns over it he just says it will be 'reyt' she will have to get on with it and the GSD will sort her out and become top dog, which in my opinion we should make Cass top dog if possible.Sunday is D-Day I will let you all know how it goes

 

[MurphysMinder]

I'm sorry I am not getting at you because I know you are powerless, but I think his attitude is awful. I don't want to scare you but if they have a serious fight the best case scenario is you could have some big vets bills. Is this GSD coming from a rescue kennel, would it be possible to have a word with them and tell them your fears? I really hope everything works out on Sunday for you, but I personally would be worried

 

[tinker512]

[ QUOTE ]
I'm sorry I am not getting at you because I know you are powerless, but I think his attitude is awful. I don't want to scare you but if they have a serious fight the best case scenario is you could have some big vets bills. Is this GSD coming from a rescue kennel, would it be possible to have a word with them and tell them your fears? I really hope everything works out on Sunday for you, but I personally would be worried

[/ QUOTE ]

Well the kennel owners are really good friends of his, and he has been doing work down there which is when he seen her and fell in love and put his name down as there is noone else wanting her and will be PTS Sunday if they don't have her.I think he is expecting her to be exactly like our old dog.Apparently a chicken pecked her nose today and she ran to the back of the kennel so she is very very timid which is probably going to be a bad thing when she is confronted by Cass!!

I have got him to agree to let them meet on neutral territory and hopefully I will be there to have Cass

 

[CorvusCorax]

[ QUOTE ]
he just says it will be 'reyt' she will have to get on with it and the GSD will sort her out and become top dog

[/ QUOTE ]

I could tell you a million stories about dogs putting each other in their places, but I don't want to scare you.
They all end in blood and vets' bills.

Oh well, if he is that determined....hope all goes well tomorrow, please please do not hesitate to come on here for help.

How will he react if this GSD turns out to be a windy, neurotic scaredy cat? Will he kick her to the kerb for not being 'hard' enough?
I read your post about the hen pecking her - that might not mean much, I had a very strong-charactered bitch who was scared of mice

As I said, please continue to come on here for help and advice and let us know how it all goes.