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Need help introducing new dog into home.

1K views 13 replies 6 participants last post by  kait18 
#1 ·
I have 2 black labs and a mastiff. I brought home a great Pyrenees/lab mix today and they do NOT get along with the new dog. I introduced them outside 1 by 1 and it's just not going well. The new dog has no problems and wants to play etc.. but when he is growled at he growls back and it blows up into havoc with all of them. I don't want to have to give this new dog away because he is my dream dog :cry: any help would be very appreciated.
 
#2 ·
Let them crack on. So long as it doesn't get to the point where they're literally ripping chunks off each other, they're just getting their pack sorted, new guy will probably be the bottom for a while.

Every time we have bought a new dog in to the home, or a friend's dog comes over, our matriach Sorrel wants NOTHING to do with them, and it usually takes a week for them to settle.

I would ignore the three of them until they sort it out. Growling and snapping is fine, but if they're going in to harm, watch the teeth, don't listen as they sometimes make horrific noises, then you need to think about rehoming the new dog.
 
#4 ·
I think the muzzle is a good idea. I work at a dog kennel and every-time we add another dog it's havoc as they figure out the 'pack order'. If there is a dog that we think will be causing a problem we keep him on a leash until it all calms down. Once they get used to each other (when they're all loose together takes about five minutes normally depending on the energy level of the new dog) though it calms down a great deal.

Sometimes if you have the option, taking them on a walk together (even if they have different people leading them) helps them to see each-other without getting too focused on the 'new dog' because they have a job. Sort of like a pack walk.
 
#5 ·
Thank you guys for the suggestions. I just let them at it this morning. The 2 labs are okay with it for the most part now. A few growls here and there. The mastiff (pack leader) I think is in shock because the new dog stood up to her. She ignores him now but he put her to the ground. The mastiff is old she is 12. I keep her inside most of the day and the other are outside.
 
#6 ·
Well as a guy who has 6 dogs and has had packs of hunting dogs for 18 years, I think the advice above sucks. The problem is that you have dogs who think they are the alpha dogs. Probably males but I personally think a bad female can be worse. You need to be the alpha female and let them know who is in charge. A muzzle doesn't do anything but prolong the inevitable. Letting them fight it out causes more problems than it's worth in the long run. Not to mention vet bills. These aren't horses and a dog can do alot of damage in a hurry. One bite to the wrong spot could permanently hurt one of them. I would keep a switch or riding crop and as soon as ANY of them showed aggressive behaviour towards the other I'd use it. I'm not talking about a beating. But enough to let them know YOU'RE in charge and any new members of the pack that you introduce are to be accepted. I'd also make sure you can feed them together in the same manner or you'll have a big fight when your back is turned and may have vet bills or worse, a dead dog. Some dogs just won't ever get along. I've seen it a few times. They can build a hatred for each other. In which case you'll have to get rid of one.
 
#10 ·
I would keep a switch or riding crop and as soon as ANY of them showed aggressive behaviour towards the other I'd use it. I'm not talking about a beating. But enough to let them know YOU'RE in charge and any new members of the pack that you introduce are to be accepted.
I don't quite agree with that :\ I'm not 'all natural' with dog training but I think with proper training and exercise for all dogs you shouldn't have to put your dogs in a situation where you would have to use a crop or switch to physically get them off of each other. Especially if you are there to supervise you should be able to read dog behaviors well enough to stop a potential fight before it even begins.

I agree the dogs should know the 'leader' is the owner, but there are other ways of doing that without a crop. Proper training and discipline go a long ways.
 
#7 ·
the new dog is protective over his food. The people we ot him from said he wasnt but he will growl when one of the other dogs gets near. I'm going to have to feed them separately and keep the food put up
 
#9 ·
I am correcting the behavior don't get me wrong I'm not ignoring it. I'm always out side with them anyways and when I'm not I plan on seperating them for a good long while
 
#11 · (Edited)
i don't think using a crop will help... if the dog wants to attack the other no amount of hitting you give to the dog will stop him from attacking. and ontop of that you will be in a bent position which will give the energy of joining the fight. adding the hitting will just make it worse... i do agree however that the op needs to be alpha whatever female or male as that will help alot.
now i am no expert at all but i have retrained fighting pits and other dogs and the one thing i learned is you never want to bend towards them when they are showing any signs of bad behavior. just you bending into them shows you are encouraging the behavior. the easiest way i have found to calm them in a group of other dogs is to muzzle them (make sure they are sturdy muzzles that wont break) and let the dogs on leash. one dog starts walking the other dog walks behind so they have to smell the butt. then switch until they both have done there smelling. then let them loose and see how they do... i would still keep leashes on when loose so you can grab at them easily.

edit: so you are not bending towards them you want to bend straight down ..does that make sense... instead of hunching over do more of a squat and keep your back straight..
 
#13 ·
I guess I'm curious, redape--how have your 2 dogs reacted to other dogs, in the past? I know that my 2 dogs, who are devoted to each other, react differently to new dogs. "Rose" is friendly, but she's the alpha and she'll growl against an aggressive dog, but she won't start a fight bc she'd rather play with another dog. "Pyg" bristles with ANY new dog or new person. She's the beta--maybe even the omega bc she will back off while growling.
I have considered this since I intend to get another puppy in about 2 years, mostly bc mine are pretty much the same age, and I don't want to introduce another puppy to an aged dog. I waited too long with my GS/Collie cross, "Xena," and she passed away when Pyg was 3mo, and Rose was 9mo. Xena loved to play and would have really enjoyed a younger dog when she herself still could run and play with it.
USUALLY dogs, like horses, are nervous that their place in the "pack" and this includes YOU, will be diminished and that a new leader will make their lives miserable. Horses, when introducing a new one, imho, aren't concerned about you, but more concerned about pecking order and their food. I believe that they are more like cats, in this respect.
My DD says that "Pygma" doesn't exist when I'm out of the house. She springs back to life when I come home.
 
#14 ·
[/QUOTE]
Kait, I've seen dogs beat each other up, pretty good, with muzzles on. What exactly are they learning by wearing a muzzle? Are you going to keep them muzzled for the rest of their lives? Are you going to have to worry about them all the time? Why not just fix the issue now?[/QUOTE]

no it takes a few minutes for them to realize that the dog is just uncomfortable with the other. and when they relax enough then you take the muzzles off. you dont keep them on there how life just for there start of interaction if they have already showed aggression towards eachother. and yes they can still cause damage but not to the full extent with the muzzle off. it would be fixing the issue now. the most it would take is probably a half hour for the op dogs to realize they are not allowed to fight or show aggression towards eachother and that oh look heres a new buddy.
 
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