so the new lab has arrived and my shihtzu has gone ballistic, as predicted. i honestly didnt think one dog could bark so much. the lab is wonderful, she is a dream - with the exception of a few nips because my god, i would be nipping too if someone was barking at me like that! its getting better every hour and we went out for two walks. the first walk was nothing but barking. the second walk was peace and quiet. then we get back to the house and it starts again..... poor neighbors.......
Re: OMG STOP THE BARKING! Oh dear, sure it will settle down soon. Must be a bit stressful with the barking. Hope you have a peaceful night xx
Re: OMG STOP THE BARKING! Hi Tami, I am not surprised your Shihtzu has gone nuts this is just as difficult for him as it is for your new addition. We rescued a Labrador x Pointer 2 1/2 years ago and it was difficult to start with and Hattie was not happy at all : but eventually all was calm and they are really good friends. Don't expect too much too soon and take things slowly and don't forget to give your Shihtzu plenty of attention as his nose will put out of joint for a while. I wish you luck, you have done a lovely thing and don't forget it xxx
Re: OMG STOP THE BARKING! the lab has started lunging at romeo and i am a little worried. she is snarling a bit and wanting to bite him or whatever. i'm starting to panic because of the size difference she could really lay into him. we are currently keeping them separated. we are upstairs and my husband and the lab are down stairs so they can calm down for a bit. is the snarling and lunging normal? i dont think it is and i am worried. i doubt we are going to get any sleep tonight!
Re: OMG STOP THE BARKING! Could you maybe give the rescue centre a quick call and explain what is happening, hopefully they will give you some advise. x
Re: OMG STOP THE BARKING! they just keep saying its 'early days' and there is an adjustment period. to be honest, i am not happy. i dont like seeing romeo so upset and i feel a bit deflated. i know he has to learn to share, but i am worried now and the joy is gone. i can't even go to the kitchen to make dinner. its a mess.
Re: OMG STOP THE BARKING! Tami, did you introduce the dogs to each other in a neutral place? I would give it some more time and see how things go tomorrow, please don't despair I know this seems difficult but a lot of settling needs to happen for both dogs. How old is the Lab and do you have full background information on her?
Re: OMG STOP THE BARKING! yes, we introduced them on neutral territory and went for a quick walk. romeo was already starting to bark then. it got worse in the house and accidentally a treat got loose on the floor and the lab was eating it, while she was eating it romeo went up to her barking and she tried to attack him. we know that is a problem with any dogs but it still freaked me out. since then, she has been snarling and she looks like she wants to say hi to him and then when she gets closer, she lunges. its scaring me. we took them for another walk later on and there was no barking and we thought maybe we had made some head way. we got back to the house and it started all over again. i hope that by tomorrow some settling has happened. i am prepared to give it 3 days but if its no better, i think its safe to say it never will be. i am home alone on monday and a bit worried, i dont know how i am going to handle the two of them if no advance has been made. her background is that she came from a good home, well taken care of. they gave her up because of their daughter being pregnant and she has shown a bit of growling around little kids and they loved her enough to not put her in the position of possibly biting the baby and ahving to be put down. is it good we keep them separated for a while to calm down or should we just persevere?
Re: OMG STOP THE BARKING! Tami, 3 days is not really going to be enough time for any settling to take place, is there anyone you can ask to help you on Monday?. As for keeping them apart I really don't know what to suggest as I didn't experience this. I really hope someone will come on and help you with that issue. I am sorry you feel so worried Keep posting to let us know how things are going and we will help as much as we can. x
Re: OMG STOP THE BARKING! Hi Tami , the trouble with keeping them apart is that you are going to set a pattern , and keeping two dogs apart on a permanent basis is going to be nigh on impossible, to say nothing of stressful to everyone , dogs and humans alike . I think supervised togetherness is whats called for here, and really close supervision too, but allowing your little one the space it needs right now should things turn iffy . Its a fact of life that dogs dont take to all other dogs, just as humans dont like everyone , allow a bitt of time to see if they each adapt , it is very early days and your resident dog is bound to be feeling confused just as the Lab is also confused and anxious . Vigilance is the key, watch them like a hawk, but take then out for walks together as much as possible , time to adapt is the order of the day, good luck and let us know how it goes please x
Re: OMG STOP THE BARKING! we are keeping the lab in the kitchen with a puppy gate and trying to have dinner and destress a bit. if romeo would just stop barking, they would stand a chance. we are going to keep the separated over night because we need sleep, if we dont get sleep, it will only be worse on us tomorrow. we are going for another walk and hopefully they will be tired enough for bed cause i sure am....
Re: OMG STOP THE BARKING! I bet you are all really tired; it's been a big day for all of you. Can I suggest wine? Hope you are all calm enough for a good sleep and wake up excited to see each other tomorrow. Well done
Re: OMG STOP THE BARKING! I think taking them for walks will help, single file if won't matter who is in front allow the one behind to sniff the one in front but keep moving. Then allow to swap positions allowing the other to do the sniffing. If one poos or pees allow the other to sniff it, but make sure the other dog has moved away. This is communication between dogs, if both dogs can poo or wee in the presence of the other they are getting to know each other. Keep walking in line for a while then try together but with you in the middle, at home do not favour one dog or the other. Be careful at feeding time keep them well apart, if one eats quickly make it does not approach the others food. I think there will still be a few grumbles for a while yet, but it will get better.
Re: OMG STOP THE BARKING! Oh dear, sorry you are having a hard time with this. I have never had more than one dog, so am short on practical experience, but others, like Kate and Helen, have welcomed a rescue into their previous one dog household successfully. It can be done, so don't despair. But it will take time. Your new dog is bound to feel threatened and out of sorts, make sure you are giving him lots of attention. I agree with walks together, but maybe walks apart would help too? Keep in touch with the rescue centre, I'm sure they want this to succeed as much as you do. This is very early days yet, so don't lose hope. And I do agree that constant separation is not the answer. But maybe there is a neutral territory (off leash dog park?) that you could go where they can get together off lead? Dogs are often more relaxed off lead than when they are "attached" to someone physically. Hang in there, keep us posted....
Re: OMG STOP THE BARKING! Tami,how was your night and how are things today?im the same as Lisa,a one dog household and Dexter is my first dog so no experience to draw on for you I'm afraid. Don't be deflated,try to remember how good you were feeling about pursuing this path.Both dogs will be very confused at the moment and this will take time to work through. You've had some great practical advice from a few of the other members, I hope that it helps,let us know what progress you make Good luck Angela x
Re: OMG STOP THE BARKING! well i got some sleep but only because husband and lab were downstairs. all in all, i am not happy. i'm stressed to the max and while i realize i am not giving it enough of a chance, i'm being honest when i say that i just dont think having a large breed dog is going to suit us, and two dogs i think may be more than we can handle. we were told she was good with cats and i have two - one crept downstairs last night before we went to bed and she growled at him - now i know she is stressed as well, but it just kind of added to how i am already feeling, which is regretting this decision. i know that 3 days is not long enough but i honestly did not know that it would take longer and in my mind i thought within a day or two everything would be fine. i'm not happy and i just dont think its gonig to change. i thank everyone for their help and feedback, but i think this was a bad decision, sadly.
Re: OMG STOP THE BARKING! Hi Tami, very stressful for you, I'm sorry this is difficult for you. It's tempting to say give it longer, keep trying etc, but I also think that if you are finding it very stressful now, that might mean that it is difficult for it to go well when both dogs and people are very stressed. It does sound as though this is not for you, and the best thing might be to return rumour. Do have a long chat with the rescue people though, they are definitely the best ones to advise.
Re: OMG STOP THE BARKING! she just attacked my cat so its pretty much my final decision. i really want to thank all of you who have commented with feedback and positive thoughts, this was not for us and i think its better to send her back now before more damage is done. obviously since we will no longer have a labrador i wont be on this forum any longer, but i just wnated to say that you guys are really such a nice bunch of people, i was overwhelmed by your kindness and willingness to help us!
