For the dog experts-behavior issue

[sunlver]

Let me start by saying I am not new to dogs, I have 3, and have at least one foster dog at all times until they are adopted. I also dog sit out of my house, so I have dogs coming and going.
Currently I have 2 fosters, the newet one coming in last night. My first foster is a 8yr old some sort of mix only about 39 pounds..He seems to be the issue.

The new foster is around 2ish, a chocolate lab mix..we think maybe mixed with Aust shepared..but we are not really sure. We tested in all situations at the shelter...we walked with other dogs, she was veyr playful. We put her a pen with another dog and very playful, no dominance, no aggression. We hand fed her with other dogs around. SHe is just happy go lucky.

I brought her home. My husband came outside with one of my dogs who is a black and tan coonhound, she is queen bee in this house, but one of the biggest couch potatoes around. So we bring Ashley out to meet new dog...Ashley ALWAYS barks at new dog, like a 2 second thing, new dog didnt react, and its over..Once we get inside Ashley doesnt look her way..We bring out second dog..no reaction..My golden retriever is the 3rd one, never EVER any problems with her..
Once we got intros over we put them all in yard..and my first foster the older guy..keeps growling at her..everytime he walks by her he growls..now if newest foster"Coco" wanted too, she could take him a fight..she has growled back a couple of times, and there have been some starts of fights between these two..but we always step in..I just dont know why old guy keeps wanting to growl at her..
My question is, how do I stop old guy from growling at her..she has been good, but I know if he doesnt stop, she is not going to back down like she has b een.

COCO today, has started to growl at one of my other dogs(wasnt doing this yesterday)..She is very well trained already, and I do that sound with my voice..that ahh ahh loudly and she stops and lays down with head down...so she seems to have some submissive qualities but then she is trying to show dominance here..

I know when my hound dog got here 3 1/2 yrs ago, she was fighting with all the dogs in the house..now though she doesnt and she lays along side of them on couch.

New foster is very attached to me , as Im the one who got her out of the shelter, and sat with her on the hour ride home in car..I dont work and home with her all day..she had bath today, and I sit outside with the dogs in the yard.

Now, on a positive note..she is awesome with the kids..

How do I break old dog of growling at her, and how do I stop her now from growling at my dogs????

Any hints , suggestions would be appreciated...

Please no bashing, or negativity...

 

[walden]

Let me start by saying I am not new to dogs, I have 3, and have at least one foster dog at all times until they are adopted. I also dog sit out of my house, so I have dogs coming and going.
Currently I have 2 fosters, the newet one coming in last night. My first foster is a 8yr old some sort of mix only about 39 pounds..He seems to be the issue.

The new foster is around 2ish, a chocolate lab mix..we think maybe mixed with Aust shepared..but we are not really sure. We tested in all situations at the shelter...we walked with other dogs, she was veyr playful. We put her a pen with another dog and very playful, no dominance, no aggression. We hand fed her with other dogs around. SHe is just happy go lucky.

I brought her home. My husband came outside with one of my dogs who is a black and tan coonhound, she is queen bee in this house, but one of the biggest couch potatoes around. So we bring Ashley out to meet new dog...Ashley ALWAYS barks at new dog, like a 2 second thing, new dog didnt react, and its over..Once we get inside Ashley doesnt look her way..We bring out second dog..no reaction..My golden retriever is the 3rd one, never EVER any problems with her..
Once we got intros over we put them all in yard..and my first foster the older guy..keeps growling at her..everytime he walks by her he growls..now if newest foster"Coco" wanted too, she could take him a fight..she has growled back a couple of times, and there have been some starts of fights between these two..but we always step in..I just dont know why old guy keeps wanting to growl at her..
My question is, how do I stop old guy from growling at her..she has been good, but I know if he doesnt stop, she is not going to back down like she has b een.

COCO today, has started to growl at one of my other dogs(wasnt doing this yesterday)..She is very well trained already, and I do that sound with my voice..that ahh ahh loudly and she stops and lays down with head down...so she seems to have some submissive qualities but then she is trying to show dominance here..

I know when my hound dog got here 3 1/2 yrs ago, she was fighting with all the dogs in the house..now though she doesnt and she lays along side of them on couch.

New foster is very attached to me , as Im the one who got her out of the shelter, and sat with her on the hour ride home in car..I dont work and home with her all day..she had bath today, and I sit outside with the dogs in the yard.

Now, on a positive note..she is awesome with the kids..

How do I break old dog of growling at her, and how do I stop her now from growling at my dogs????

Any hints , suggestions would be appreciated...

Please no bashing, or negativity...

No bashing or negativity, and I am certainly not an expert, just quite experienced. I feel your pain. I would guess we are at something of a level playing field when it comes to experience introducing foster dogs. So this is probably more supportive than informative.

Nice to know you. So far you have done everything *right* according to my experience.

Honest to goodness, every time I introduce a new foster my heart is in my mouth. I observe, obsessively, and separate as required. I have asked someone else to take a foster when I was really scared that we were truly risking a dog fight. Just a total clash of personalities, it was a gut feeling, but one I trusted. I felt no shame in asking for help.

Can I ask for a bit of clarification? Coco is the foster and Ashley is the resident, the one who barks but then settles down. So who is the old guy who has started growling? The growl is a warning and one we should pay attention to.

Can you separate them temporarily until you can get a better fix on it? Crates or doors. Controlled (leashed) interactions for a bit. I guess I need more info before venturing any opinion.

 

[sunlver]

No bashing or negativity, and I am certainly not an expert, just quite experienced. I feel your pain. I would guess we are at something of a level playing field when it comes to experience introducing foster dogs. So this is probably more supportive than informative.

Nice to know you. So far you have done everything *right* according to my experience.

Honest to goodness, every time I introduce a new foster my heart is in my mouth. I observe, obsessively, and separate as required. I have asked someone else to take a foster when I was really scared that we were truly risking a dog fight. Just a total clash of personalities, it was a gut feeling, but one I trusted. I felt no shame in asking for help.

Can I ask for a bit of clarification? Coco is the foster and Ashley is the resident, the one who barks but then settles down. So who is the old guy who has started growling? The growl is a warning and one we should pay attention to.

Can you separate them temporarily until you can get a better fix on it? Crates or doors. Controlled (leashed) interactions for a bit. I guess I need more info before venturing any opinion.

Thank you so much for repsonding..Sorry I will give you a run down on the dogs here..

Ok I own 3
Qtip-10 yr old Golden retriever
Tulsa-6 yr old lab/hound mix
Ashley-7 yr old Black and tan coonhound


my fosters
Shelby-8ish shepard/lab mix(best guess)only about 38 pds,he's been with me for about 2 months..Normally a very sweet, ,mellow dog,who lays around a lot, never messed with my dogs.

"Coco"-chocolate lab mix(53 pds)2 yrs old...

I know she's been only here for 24 hrs...and I need to give them time..Ashley, use to be afoster, and I hated her at first LOL..she fought with my other dogs when we first got her, as time when by it got better..we adopted Ashley after 2 yrs , and shes been with us for3 1/2 now..Now she doesnt fight with anybody

I do keep the dogs separated.. I have a gate that is between my computer room and living room. I let Shelby(Old guy)stay in my computer area room, and Coco in living room.It is as soon as Coco moves, Shelby is growling

At night Coco sleeps in a crate, so its never an issue, and when I leave the house, I put them both in separate crates.

 

[yoopermom]

Do you think that Shelby is "guarding" you? aka does he growl at the new dog as if to say "stay away from my mom"? Despite his being old(er), do you feel that you are "alpha" over him? No matter what his past (maybe he knew a dog like her in his past who he had a bad spat with), he MUST do as you say, whether he likes it or not. It sounds like you have good background in dog behavior, but if you can find a behaviorist in your area, please consider calling him/her in for a consultation.

Good luck, and God Bless you for taking care of these doggies

Terri

 

[walden]

Thanks for the clarification. Coco is so new to the pack. You are a person after my own heart. This is a very simplistic response, but you have everything under control. Crates, separation and everything. All you really need is a huge

Give it 24 hours of separation and carefully reintoduce everyone. One at a time. You know how.

My only caution (remember I am not an expert) is to say that if on reintroduction things do not go well please trust your gut instincts and experience. Gut instincts are not always rational, but trust them.

My "foster failure" the one when I yelled for help, was when my *anything is fine, certified Therapy Dog, can cope with most everyone of those darn fosters you insist on throwing at me* girl took a huge dislike to a guy that was (to my human eye) an absolute sweetheart. Really a doll with all the other dogs and humans. He went to another foster home and was adopted out happily. He really was sweet. We just had a doggy personality clash.

It happens.

Hang in there. I wish I could be of better help. I'll keep watching this thread in the hopes that a real expert will chime in soon.

Edit to add: I must clarify -- we have had a few fairly tense foster situations here, but most have resolved easily. I'm not sure why I focused on our worst ever foster experience above. I guess it was because you so clearly know what you are doing and were asking for help. Hope you get that. Don't give up on Coco prematurely. Best wishes.

 

[sunlver]

Ok, all is quiet for the night Coco is asleep in her cage. I put a big blanket over the cage , that has seemed to help. My other dogs do not sleep in crates. I always crate the new fosters..its less stress for me that way at night and keeps them out of trouble..plus a lot of families seem to like the fact they already come crate trained in case they choose to use this method.


So you have a therapy dog? I do not, but my golden is the closest thing. No other dogs ever have problems with her. As a matter of fact, I dont think Coco has given Qtip a 2nd look since she has been there..dont tell my other dogs..but my golden is my favorite If any dog messed with my golden..they would be out of here on their ear LOL....

The rescue group I volunteer with is very nice..if there is any sort of problem they move them around, So I am not worried about that. My last 3 fosters have been so incredibly easy that I got spoiled. Honestly if wasnt for Shelby growling at her, there would be no problem. I just think with him growling, it makes my other dogs on edge.

I sort of think its the fact that she is the new one in the house, and Shelby feels he has some rank over her. I suppose he does in a way, but he doesnt have to show it so verbally...She is young and spry, he is not.

I did get an email tonight from a man who maybe interested in "Shelby"...so we will see how that turns out. Even though he is being a pain in the rear, Im very picky on who my fosters go too..

 

[walden]

How is it going today? I've been thinking of you! Good news about Shelby, and I hope Coco is settling too. The blanket over the crate was a great idea.

Your foster group sounds very supportive. Fostering is such a rewarding experience but I'm always sad to see them go, and I'm way picky on the new homes too. Luckily all the adopters have kept in touch with me (so far) so I know the pups are doing well.

Right now I own and foster retired racing greyhounds, but I have had various other breeds and rescue mixes in the past. Including a JRT -- I loved that feisty difficult little girl.

On the Therapy Dogs (TD) -- I have certified 3 of my hounds, but only have one active volunteer TD presently. I always like to tell people that it is not that hard. If your dog can pass a CGC, is friendly and calm, and you have the time to volunteer then the last 4 points on the TD test are easy. It just takes a bit of desentitization to medical equipment.

Sadly, we lost Cat, the one I mentioned above (she came with that name) to hemangiosarcoma at age 7. I am still incredibly bitter about it because she shared so much joy and was so brilliant a TD. My other two are very good, but not quite as outstanding. They all get better with experience.

I just retired my old guy from TD visits because he is now 13 and finds it too tiring. He was a foster that we eventually adopted because we all fell in love with him. He was 10 when he arrived here, with quite a few minor health problems to put off potential adopters. He passed his TD test with flying colors with 6 months training. Finally, Little Miss Pooh, who I never thought would qualify when she first came here because she was so shy, has blossomed into a really good TD.

I hope everything is going well. We are thinking of you.

 

[sunlver]

How is it going today? I've been thinking of you! Good news about Shelby, and I hope Coco is settling too. The blanket over the crate was a great idea.

Your foster group sounds very supportive. Fostering is such a rewarding experience but I'm always sad to see them go, and I'm way picky on the new homes too. Luckily all the adopters have kept in touch with me (so far) so I know the pups are doing well.

Right now I own and foster retired racing greyhounds, but I have had various other breeds and rescue mixes in the past. Including a JRT -- I loved that feisty difficult little girl.

On the Therapy Dogs (TD) -- I have certified 3 of my hounds, but only have one active volunteer TD presently. I always like to tell people that it is not that hard. If your dog can pass a CGC, is friendly and calm, and you have the time to volunteer then the last 4 points on the TD test are easy. It just takes a bit of desentitization to medical equipment.

Sadly, we lost Cat, the one I mentioned above (she came with that name) to hemangiosarcoma at age 7. I am still incredibly bitter about it because she shared so much joy and was so brilliant a TD. My other two are very good, but not quite as outstanding. They all get better with experience.

I just retired my old guy from TD visits because he is now 13 and finds it too tiring. He was a foster that we eventually adopted because we all fell in love with him. He was 10 when he arrived here, with quite a few minor health problems to put off potential adopters. He passed his TD test with flying colors with 6 months training. Finally, Little Miss Pooh, who I never thought would qualify when she first came here because she was so shy, has blossomed into a really good TD.

I hope everything is going well. We are thinking of you.

Well unfortunately I have not heard back from the man who was interested in Shelby. Maybe I scared him off?? I always like to be honest, I said all postiive things, but did say he has a bit of arthritis and taking some meds for it.
Well Coco had a good night, she was quiet all nite in crate, no whining. I do think the blanket over the cage helped.

She was still growling at Shelby. I took Shelby and Coco out for a walk together. Doesnt Ceaser do that(dog whisperer), and I have heard other volunteers at rescue group do that.Well so odd, I walked them side by side, they were inches from each other and no growling. At home, Shelby wasnt as bad..but still did it.
Since my dogs wont play with Coco, I took her over to my friends house who has 3 dogs, so COCO had a playdate ...I took Shelby and CoCo for a 2nd walk as well...they are both probably pretty tired now..I will say the growling has calmed a bit, but by no means it is gone..

 

[walden]

Ooof, we had to leave state because my elderly FIL wasn't doing well. He has stabalised now so we are home.

I'm so sorry. How goes it today? Andy reduction in the growling?

 

[sunlver]

Ooof, we had to leave state because my elderly FIL wasn't doing well. He has stabalised now so we are home.

I'm so sorry. How goes it today? Andy reduction in the growling?

Im sorry to hear about your fil..

Well after I wrote last time, Shelby was really in Coco's face, and they had a little "fight"..nothing major. I saw it happened, basically, Coco finally got back at him. Shelby ended up with a small wound on his neck, nothing serious. He still growls at him, but its not as bad, or maybe I am not letting it bother me as much. I mean for the most part, Coco has nothing to do with him,so its not like both of them are going after each other. Coco has no problem with him. Mostly Coco is constantly where I am, and if I cant supervise I put her in her crate. BUT.. today I found out she is a bed dog ...
SHe laid with me on the bed earlier, while I watched a movie. This actually makes mylife easier as I am upstairs a lot, so if she can be with me, less time inher crate.We do have a gate by the stairs to keep all 5 dogs from coming up at once