Dog Community

Please Help . . out-of-control dog(s)!

Posted : 8/22/2009 6:28:44 PM

Forgive my ignorance if I am wrong, but this is the closest I could find to an online canine psychiatrist!

I wondered if anyone has experienced the following problem, or could offer some fruitful advice to enable me to deal with it.

I recently rescued a dog - terrier mix - from the local animal services department. She's a sweet girl, very loving, and seems relatively calm. We calle dher Gretchen. I got her as a companion for my existing dog (a mutt, beagle mix I think), who is named Henrik.

Since we have rescued Gretchen, Henrik changed 100%. Suddenly, he constantly escapes from the yard (taking Gretchen with him). He always chewed a little bit, but now he chews EVERYTHING. Bearing in mind that before, I used to head out to work leaving Henrik in the house, leave the cupboards wide open, the trash can full, the door to my bedroom open and everything would be in place when I returned. I could leave him out in the yard for hours if I went out and he never escaped.

Obviously the new dog is causing my existing dog to alter his behavior but why?? What makes this even more curious is that it does not seem to be Gretchen who is instigating the bad behavior but Henrik. Indeed, we have watched them in the yard unbeknown to them, and seen Henrik digging holes under the fence and disappearing first. When I call them it is always Gretchen who returns first.

Today I left them in the house because I was frightful of them escaping and the house was trashed. I'm at the end of my tether, but really do not want to re-home Gretchen because she is a dear girl who deserves some love - and ironically I do not think it is she who is instrigating the mischief.

I could keep them apart but that negates the purpose of getting another dog in the 1st place - and Henrik seems to be trouble wherever he is these days. The ages of the dogs: Gretchen - unknown, we thin relatively young. Henrik - a year old. Both have been neutered.

Please does anybody have any suggestions?? What is at the root of what is going on here?? Is there anything I can do??

Chuffy

Posted : 8/22/2009 6:41:17 PM

I am not sure WHY they are doing what they are doing, but does it really matter so long as you can contain them safely? Crate or gate for indoors and secure, roofed kennel for when they are outside?

Is either pet speutered?

espencer

Posted : 8/23/2009 4:48:42 AM

Scotty23
Obviously the new dog is causing my existing dog to alter his behavior

Maybe actually is just a coincidence that the behavior appeared until now and it might not be related.

I agree with the crating while you are out of the house. Digging holes under the fence an escaping might indicate other stuff, most of the dogs who do that are not taken for walks regularly and they feel the need to escape to the exiting world out there which is better than the "boring" life at the house.

Do you take them out for a walk every day for 30-45 minutes? You can not believe how "therapeutic" a walk is for a dog. Birds fly, fish swim and dogs walk, is also the best way to bond as a pack since the dogs think that you are "migrating" together. Once back at the house they are in "resting" mode and they are less likely to missbehave. Leaving the dogs at the backyard to get "exercised" is not even closed to help them to burn their energy pent up while at the house.

tiffy

Posted : 8/26/2009 7:27:59 PM

I could leave Tootsie out all day, which I never would, with another dog and you know what they'd do. Lay right by the door waiting to come in. Chewing and digging sound like boredom.