Dog Community

getting along with small dog

Barb

Posted : 7/11/2006 11:29:26 AM

First a big thank you to all who replied to our problem with our daughters St Bernard. He is doing better at getting along with people.But we know have the problem of her roomates little dog pestering him all the time. he will take so much then let out a warning bark and that stops the dog for awhile but he comes back. This is a problem because the small dog has not had any discipline and rules the owner. Since it isnt our dog we cant disipline too much. This is causing stress on both my daughter and her dog. She really wants to keep her dog but the other person has had her dog for over 1 yr and so she feels if one has to go it may be her big loveable st. I am not sure of the breed of this other dog but it is very small prob weighting only 5 lbs. Any suggestions on how to get this small dog to leave Boomer(the St.) alone. They are afraid to leave both dogs out when they are not home because if boomer were to take a snap at eddie(small dog) that may be the end of him. How do you tell a roomate to train her dog some??

angelamarie

Posted : 7/11/2006 12:56:35 PM

These two dogs should never, ever be left alone together. It sounds as if there is a "conversation" going on between the two dogs as to who is going to be the pack leader in the home. It may not necessarily be a "discipline" problem, the small dog is reacting like a dog to a new member of the pack. If it were two dogs of similar size, I would allow the conversation to continue between the two of them, making sure no all out fights broke out, and let the dogs decide what each of their roles are in the home. But, with the size difference between the dogs, this could become dangerous. The pack leader should be one of the humans present, who should work with both dogs at the same time on obedience training and doing as the leader says when asked.

I'm not sure what the training trick would be, I am just concerned about the idea of leaving the two alone. Please make sure that never happens.

Caprice Christian

Posted : 7/11/2006 1:18:10 PM

I too wouldn't ever leave them alone together. With such a big dog, a little nip to tell the little one to back off could kill it. I have two little dogs, one is 1 1/2 years old and the other (3 lbs) is only 12 weeks old. They pester my parents "big" Pitbull / Lab cross. He is a really good dog, but when he has had enough he will let out a bark and on occassion kinda made a bit of a lung to scare them off. Now, I really trust my parents dog, but still would never think of leaving the dogs alone with him. How old is the 'little' dog? If he/she is still a puppy than it is quite normal to be testing his/her limits.

I agree that they have to figure out, between the two of them, what their roles are, and just keep them seperated while you are not there.

Barb

Posted : 7/11/2006 1:24:23 PM

The St B(boomer) is a very gentle dog and has been around another small dogs a 4 lb yorkie& never had a problem. Boomer was in the home before this small dog eddie(which i have found out is a mixed terrier) was brought to the place. I think part of the problem is the eddie jumps on him and bites at his ears(not sure if this is wanting to play or something else). Boomer also shared a place with the yorkie and a dog(not sure of the breed)that was a male and i guess this male did want to play alot but boomer never did anything to him. That was before my daughter got him as hers. He was living with the dog foster person. My daughter is upset that she may have to give him up because of this. Any ideas on how to get her roommate to see the prob is started by her little dog??

Barb

Posted : 7/11/2006 1:26:52 PM

regarding their age, boomer the st. is 3. eddie the terrier mix is 1-1/2yr old

Caprice Christian

Posted : 7/11/2006 1:41:30 PM

If the small dog is only 1 1/2 than he is still a puppy. He is probably just trying to play (that is what my 1 1/2 terrier mix does). I don't see why your daughter has to give up the dog. I think they just need more time to figure out their roles. Where are they left when there is no one home during the day? How long have these two had to get to know eachother?

Barb

Posted : 7/11/2006 8:55:43 PM

Talked with my daughter and she hopes to talk with her roomate to see if they can figure something out. She wants to keep her dog if possible. I hope to get a pic of him in here for you to see. There are a total of 3 girls and the two dogs in this house they are renting. But I think if they can get the main problem solved that is the little dog jumping all over boomer then the rest should be easy. It sounds as if they are all stressed because eddie is so hyper and has not had any disipline before moving in here. Unable to figure out how to put pic here. will try to put on another way

Caprice Christian

Posted : 7/11/2006 11:26:51 PM

He is really beautiful! Wow! Good luck, I really hope she doesn't give him up because of this. There is so much that can still be done to make this work.

Barb

Posted : 7/14/2006 10:53:51 AM

Here is the update on the dogs getting along. My daughter is going to give them time to adjust and hopefully everything will calm down and the little dog will not be so pesty to boomer. Boomer takes most of it in stride i guess, but eddie just doesnt know when to stop. Thanks again for the support