introducing pets

[cellie]

I have new puppy he is 4months old and very friendly.My parents have rescued older dog 6yrs who previously lived with his brother although they were split up at dog rescue.Both dogs are lovely with other dogs off lead and friendly.My parents new dog is possesive of his toys at home and the pup just wants to play and will steal anything .
They have met twice once on nuetral ground but in mum and dads house the older dog is growling but not snarling.We are afraid to let them sort things out as my puppy was rehome after his parent dog savaged him and he nearly died.He is over the trauma but we dont want to set him back.
Any constructive ideas about gradually introducing them would be helpful.
They seem to be fine in the garden without toys its in the house as both dogs are toy orientated.
The obvious is to remove all toys but it does seem a shame
We will make next introduction at my house as my pup wont be terratorial but tips would be handy thanks everyone

 

[soloabe]

Toys would be gone in my house.

They shouldn't all be left out anyway.

Toys come from you, they are yours.

If they can't play nicely then the toys go away.

My dog has probably 30 toys but only has 2 or 3 out at a time so that i can rotate them and they are still new and fun.

Toys are in the toy box until i pull one out to let him play with.

 

[samtaylor]

hello,

i bought a pup when my lab was in season (bad idea) my lab was very bossy and didnt want to share her toys etc.i just had both dogs in the room and they had to get used to eachother.it helps having one dog on the lead until they get on. in the end there were best friends.

hope that helps a little

 

[CorvusCorax]

Toys do not belong to dogs, they belong to you and you remove them whenever you like, including when they cause issues between dogs, as they so often do, you decide when and where they are played with and by whom.

It's not a shame, they can play with toys, one on one, with their humans, they won't mourn their loss!

If they are fine without toys, but not with, then just remove the toys, dogs live in the here and now and a good play with one another will be just as good as playing with toys which they may then start scrapping over.

 

[cellie]

Toys would be gone in my house.

They shouldn't all be left out anyway.

Toys come from you, they are yours.

If they can't play nicely then the toys go away.

My dog has probably 30 toys but only has 2 or 3 out at a time so that i can rotate them and they are still new and fun.

Toys are in the toy box until i pull one out to let him play with.

The toys at mum and dads are in drawer and the ones I have at home are kept in a tin.Both dogs happily give up toys on command and wait for food discipline isnt a issue.The older dog occassionally has grumble but we dont know all his history as he is a rescue, parents have only had him couple of months.
The reason I prefer my pup to have toys is that he is teething and if he nibbles he is given something of his to chew on.
I felt sure that someone would have experienced something similiar .

 

[CorvusCorax]

So he can play with toys when he is the only dog around, I am sure he will have plenty of time for that? No one is saying remove all toys permanently, just limit their use and don't allow constant access, especially if the old dog is grumpy around his things.

 

[soloabe]

I have experienced it.

And at the first sign or an argument the toys were gone.

Its not going to be the end of the world if the dogs don't get to play with toys when they are together.

 

[CAYLA]

They are displaying very natural behaviour and until the boundaries between them are set and the puppy is old enough to understand what "pish off and leave my gear alone" via the older dogs warning is, then don't go there, I have seen puppies killed in this exact same scenario, as suggested "toys away", go out into the garden and see if ball throwing is a better bonding game, the bigger dog is almost certainly going to always get the ball and it will wear the pup out and create a more positive play time.
Also lots of walks together where there focus is not so much on each other but on the sorrounding environment, again more positive association.

 

[Cop-Pop]

When we first introduced Yellow Dog to Bear she growled and barked a lot BUT we'd had her since she was 6months old and knew she wouldn't go further than being vocal. After numerous tellings off by her Yellow Dog learnt to be more respectful (tho she was still telling him off for putting his nose where it wasn't welcome many years later ) We used to keep Yellow Dog on a lead to stop him boucing in her face quite so much

 

[cellie]

They are displaying very natural behaviour and until the boundaries between them are set and the puppy is old enough to understand what "pish off and leave my gear alone" via the older dogs warning is, then don't go there, I have seen puppies killed in this exact same scenario, as suggested "toys away", go out into the garden and see if ball throwing is a better bonding game, the bigger dog is almost certainly going to always get the ball and it will wear the pup out and create a more positive play time.
Also lots of walks together where there focus is not so much on each other but on the sorrounding environment, again more positive association.

Makes me wonder if that is what happened with parent dog trying to kill him
hence rehome
Good result today walked without toys and dogs fine Axel just trundled around behind Bud. Both slept in different rooms kitchen and conservatory so older dog was undisturbed ,no toys allowed and pup brought home for my return from work unscathed. Hopefully it will get easier