Dog Community

Need help with moving in another dog...

Posted : 8/26/2006 5:44:02 PM

Okay, so here's the deal. My sister is moving in here with her dog, Jaz, in a few days. Cherokee is aggressive with other dogs, but has met Jaz before, and they were okay after a few minutes (though I did have her muzzled, just to make sure). Cherokee is very dominant and confrontational, Jaz is exactly the opposite. Cherokee could attack him, and he would most likely just sit there being terrified (which is really sad, but also really funny..Cherokee's a little 50 pound lab mix, and Jaz is an 85 pound pit bull).

Cherokee's been an only dog most of her life, but did live with my aunt's dog for a couple years when I first got her. They got along well most of the time, I think they had maybe 2 big fights in 2 years. Jaz lived with another dog recently, and while I don't think they ever really fought, my sister said he started getting more assertive towards the end. I'm really hoping that Jaz will be as submissive as I expect, and Cherokee will see that and be okay with him, but I'm not sure.

So basically I'm just looking for suggestions on how to make this a peaceful transition and life for both of them. I'm thinking we'll have some food issues, and maybe they should be fed in bedrooms, since neither of them have crates. Beyond that? I'm not sure what to do. I've never done this before. Anyone have advice?

willowchow

Posted : 8/26/2006 5:49:18 PM

Sorry, I don't have any advice other than I think you should probably get crates or work out something with gates for when they are alone.

ColleenC

Posted : 8/26/2006 5:51:49 PM

Do not feed them near each other, do not give them chews near each other. At least for a while. Those are likely to bring about aggression. I cannot stress how important crates will be. They allow the dogs to see each other and get used to each other while still being separated. When you guys are not home, they should go into crates to avoid fights. It also gives each of them their own space. When Rose gets sick of Colton pestering her, she goes to sleep in her crate. I would get crates and keep them on lead for a while.

Damarcus Damarcus

Posted : 8/26/2006 6:17:13 PM

Yeah put them both in crates and then turn them towards each other so they face each other. Then keep them like this for an while to let them get used to each other. Slowly start to let them both out at the same time but not for long and SUPERVISE them while they are both out.Keep there food bowls in two tottally diff parts of the house to discourage one from eating out the others foodbowl. Showing alot of disrespect or as you would say confronting the other.Show your old dog a little more love than the other one so he wont think you are replacing him.Try that and tell me what happened.

Damarcus Daniels-

chelsea_b

Posted : 8/26/2006 8:27:13 PM

Thanks for responding everyone. I was figuring instead of crates, we could just use our bedrooms. My room has always served as a sort of "crate" for Cherokee. When people she doesn't know or doesn't like come over, or when she just needs a few minutes to calm down, she goes in my room. She's 8 and has never had a crate. I'm also not planning on allowing Jaz in my room. I'll make it off-limits from day one, so Cherokee always has her own space.

Jaz used to have a crate, but doesn't anymore, I'm not sure why, but maybe it would be a good idea to get at least him one.

They will definitely be leashed when together at first, and Cherokee will probably be muzzled.

Somebody is almost always home here, but I will definitely be putting one of them in a bedroom when no one's here, until I'm sure they're okay (if that ever happens..).

Like I said, they've met and gotten along before, so I'm not really worried about introducing them, I'm just not sure how they'll be when they realize they're living together.

Thanks for the advice.