Dog Community

two hyper dogs, one crate bound for 2 months

Posted : 11/20/2006 9:31:58 PM

I am just looking for some advice, I have a 2 year old rottweiler and a chocolate lab that is 5 months younger. The lab recently had knee surgery and has to be sedated and in a crate for 2 months, then for the next two months, she can be out of the crate and on a leash, only if the rottie is not around.
Anyway, they have always been best friends, they play rough, but it is obvious they are just playing. well now, they have started fighting with one another through the crate, almost everytime the rottie settles down near the crate with the lab. we thought it was because of a dog bowl sitting in the crate, so i have removed that, but they are still fighting.
I hope it is just because the lab is on sedatives, and this will blow over, but we still have 4 1/2 months until the lab is fully recovered. any suggestions?? thanks!!

mrv

Posted : 11/21/2006 7:03:14 AM

This could likely be frustration with the change in pattern. Options that may help. Shift the position of the crate so you can watch tv, read etc, with the crate on one side of your body and the rott on the other. Have a supply of SMALL size treats in your hand or a bowl. When both dogs are calm and quiet feed a treat to each dog. It is possible that when you start this exercise they will be some what wild or pushy. You best option is to WAIT until they are good and quiet. It will happen (if they want the treat and to be beside you), and in a few days to a week, you will notice they will settle much faster.

Exercise your Rott so he is good and tired. While exercising him, considering feeding part (1/3 to 1/2) of the daily meal to the lab in one of the rubber style treat balls (things). Kibble and canned make a good mixture. Just soak the treatball with antibacterial dish soap in the sink and use some higher pressure water to rinse it out. '

When you get home, confine the rott and feed after a cool down period. While the rott is cooling down and eating, get the lab out and do some training. Use the rest of the meal or some high quality treats instead of the rest of the meal. Try the one hundred things to do with a box list (just google it) or search for tricks. The teaching of tricks with engage the labs mind.

Try some supportive care in the form of massage or TT. That will offer neurological stimulation some what like exercise, calm the dog and build your bond stronger.

Jeff Lampert

Posted : 11/21/2006 8:38:38 PM

hey! thanks a bunch for the advice, it sounds great, I'll be starting this immediately.

Xebby

Posted : 11/21/2006 9:19:20 PM

Same happen to me except mine was a 6 mo. old BC puppy, Gizmo, who had part of her bone removed from her hip and my older dog was a 2 yr old rottie/begal (best guess) mix, Georgia. They got along great untill I had to keep Gizmo in a crate for a few months. When I took her out she would fight with my other dog and thats how her agression got started. I could only take her out on a leash and it was hard. Try keeping a Boder collie puppy from not playing... Her crate was full of toys.

Anyway, I ended up taking Georia to a temporary home so she could get the attention she deserved and I could Give Giz the care she needed. This worked out great except the home I took Georgia to decided they like her a little more than exspected and well to make a long story short Georgia bacame their dog.

I don't know if that helps in any way but I can certainly relate to the pain you must be going threw right now.

My old sig, to show you the two: