Hi all-
well, since Lucy died the house has been so quiet. We adopted a dog (adult male) from the shelter and brought him home on Friday. He is a truly sweet and wonderful dog...with humans. As we found out, he has major aggression around other dogs (both male and female) and needs to be physically restrained. He has also tried chasing our resident cat (she is safe upstairs where the new dog "Fergus" does not have access to her). Needless to say, I am stressed out and worried if we made the right decision. He is so great with us and the kids. He is truly loving and gentle. But around other animals, it is a totally different story.
I have contacted an animal behaviorist at the SPCA and haven't heard back yet. I would hate to send him back to the shelter as we pretty much rescued him the day befpre he was scheduled to be put down. On the other hand, I don't want to get any more attached to him than I already have.
In the midst of all this, I am missing my Lucy because she was such an easy dog. She got along with everyone. I am feeling sad, confused, and hopeful that it will still work...You have all been such a support to me over the past few months. Does anyone have any wisdom or advice they might shed on this situation?
Thanks, Caroline
Full Version: New Dog...
Caroline,
No "wisdom" or advice from me, as I'm going through pretty much the same thing with an existing cat and a new kitten. All I can do is say my heart is with you in the hope that everyone learns to live in peace together.
It's harder for us after losing such an easy animal. In comes someone new and we (deep down inside) expect them all to just live as all the others did, getting along & being happy. Doesn't work THAT way, I'm finding!
Hopefully we'll both find some way to make this work with our babies.
Best of luck and hang in there... you're not alone on this one!
Hugs,
Pat
No "wisdom" or advice from me, as I'm going through pretty much the same thing with an existing cat and a new kitten. All I can do is say my heart is with you in the hope that everyone learns to live in peace together.
It's harder for us after losing such an easy animal. In comes someone new and we (deep down inside) expect them all to just live as all the others did, getting along & being happy. Doesn't work THAT way, I'm finding!
Hopefully we'll both find some way to make this work with our babies.Best of luck and hang in there... you're not alone on this one!
Hugs,
Pat
Dear Caroline,
How awesome that you rescued this furdog in the nick of time!
I can certainly understand how stressful it can be right now. I am so sorry that he has this aggression with other animals.
I had a dog that wasn't quite as bad as you describe, but did show some aggression around other dogs. I took her to an extensive obedience training school that we have locally. They were able to help us, and calm her down, but it took tons of patience and hours of training every day. It's hard to say since we don't know what happened to him to make him feel so threatened by other animals. Maybe he has never had interaction socially with other animals before. In some cases, the dog could be suffering from hypothyroidism. The one thing I remember very clearly is to NOT punish the dog when he shows aggression. It can only aggrevate the situation more. Positive reiforcement is how we learned to calm our dog down. But I am getting ahead of myself. First you need to decide (probably through trainers) how much work it would involve to help him.
I would highly recommend contacting local dog training places and talk to someone there. The call you made already is a good start.
Good luck!
Please keep us informed what happens.
Cheri
How awesome that you rescued this furdog in the nick of time!
I can certainly understand how stressful it can be right now. I am so sorry that he has this aggression with other animals.
I had a dog that wasn't quite as bad as you describe, but did show some aggression around other dogs. I took her to an extensive obedience training school that we have locally. They were able to help us, and calm her down, but it took tons of patience and hours of training every day. It's hard to say since we don't know what happened to him to make him feel so threatened by other animals. Maybe he has never had interaction socially with other animals before. In some cases, the dog could be suffering from hypothyroidism. The one thing I remember very clearly is to NOT punish the dog when he shows aggression. It can only aggrevate the situation more. Positive reiforcement is how we learned to calm our dog down. But I am getting ahead of myself. First you need to decide (probably through trainers) how much work it would involve to help him.
I would highly recommend contacting local dog training places and talk to someone there. The call you made already is a good start.
Good luck!
Please keep us informed what happens.
Cheri
Dear Caroline, Oh that is not good to hear about Fergus but maybe there is hope for him yet. At least he is good with people but I know how you feel about them not getting along. My darling Snookie hated Schnitzel when I first got her and I thought Snookie was going to bite her, she would growl and everything. But in the end they got along ok and even layed in the same bed next to each other. Didn't they even know if he got along with cats? I hope you can work it out but it might take a lot of time.
Love, Ann
Love, Ann
Caroline,
Hopefully Fergus will settle down soon and enjoy his new life with a loving family. Perhaps.........he came from a home where he was the one and only...........then the experience of being away from the ones he loved and living in a shelter. I would have lots of aggression too.
Wonderful you for saving Fergus. Wish things weren't so difficult. If it doesn't work out.............maybe you can find a home for Fergus where he will feel more comfortable and less stress on his new family.
Wishing you and Fergus happiness.
Litebrez
Hopefully Fergus will settle down soon and enjoy his new life with a loving family. Perhaps.........he came from a home where he was the one and only...........then the experience of being away from the ones he loved and living in a shelter. I would have lots of aggression too.
Wonderful you for saving Fergus. Wish things weren't so difficult. If it doesn't work out.............maybe you can find a home for Fergus where he will feel more comfortable and less stress on his new family.
Wishing you and Fergus happiness.
Litebrez
Dear Carolyn,
Hello it been a while since we last spoke
I too adopted a new furbaby named Cocoa who an 8 month old , Choc/ Lab Pit mix with Amber eyes. She is a real puppy with alot of energy & has us up at the crack of dawn. On the 24th of this month she will have been with us exactly 1 month & was adopted 17 days after losing our precious Duchess.
It's been a rollercoaster ride of emotions ever since that day. We were so lucky with Duchess because she was the perfect dog. You get so in tune with your pet everthing clicks.... and then along comes another who does not quite measure up. At first I felt the same as you did not wanting to get to attached. They just are not the same & in our grief we do not feel we have it in us to start all over again.
Well that has changed because she is starting to work out really well & is getting accustomed to her new mommy & daddy. That is not to say that it is easy because I have yet to land a job & am spending alot of time with her. My fear is that when I do go back to work she may not be able to handle my absence & it scares me. Every time I do go out to the store or on interviews I have to spray Bitter Apple all over the downstairs kitchen ( this is where we keep her when we have to leave the house) It has a door which seperates her from the rest of the house. Puppies can be very destructive if left alone to their own devices for too long. She has a little house down stairs with her blankie, toys, food, & I always leave the radio on for her. ( SHE WAS CRATED & THE LITTLE HOUSE MAKES HER FEEL SECURE)
Yesterday I was called early in the morning about an interview @ 1:00 p.m. in the city so off I went but not before doing all those things mentioned above. This is when I miss Duchess the most because I never had to do any of it. She had the run of the house & never so much as piddled on the floor. Then I had to ask myself a question --- Duchess was a puppy also at one time & it took me 2 years to get her to the point where she could be totally trusted. It would not be fair to Cocoa if I did not a least give her the same chance -- she is after all just a puppy who needs to learn just like my Duchess did. So I decided to keep her with us because she too was rescued from a kill shelter & deserves a second chance .
Adopting Fergus has put you in a tailspin of emotions but if you look deep inside -- you will find your answer.
Do what you feel you must because I would not keep a dog if I did not want it. If he is truly a sweet dog with the exception of his aggression towards other dogs, this problem can be dealt with. I see that you have already taken steps to find someone that can help him with this . Follow your heart it is seldom wrong
Good luck to you & Fergus
Bernadette
Hello it been a while since we last spoke
I too adopted a new furbaby named Cocoa who an 8 month old , Choc/ Lab Pit mix with Amber eyes. She is a real puppy with alot of energy & has us up at the crack of dawn. On the 24th of this month she will have been with us exactly 1 month & was adopted 17 days after losing our precious Duchess.
It's been a rollercoaster ride of emotions ever since that day. We were so lucky with Duchess because she was the perfect dog. You get so in tune with your pet everthing clicks.... and then along comes another who does not quite measure up. At first I felt the same as you did not wanting to get to attached. They just are not the same & in our grief we do not feel we have it in us to start all over again.
Well that has changed because she is starting to work out really well & is getting accustomed to her new mommy & daddy. That is not to say that it is easy because I have yet to land a job & am spending alot of time with her. My fear is that when I do go back to work she may not be able to handle my absence & it scares me. Every time I do go out to the store or on interviews I have to spray Bitter Apple all over the downstairs kitchen ( this is where we keep her when we have to leave the house) It has a door which seperates her from the rest of the house. Puppies can be very destructive if left alone to their own devices for too long. She has a little house down stairs with her blankie, toys, food, & I always leave the radio on for her. ( SHE WAS CRATED & THE LITTLE HOUSE MAKES HER FEEL SECURE)
Yesterday I was called early in the morning about an interview @ 1:00 p.m. in the city so off I went but not before doing all those things mentioned above. This is when I miss Duchess the most because I never had to do any of it. She had the run of the house & never so much as piddled on the floor. Then I had to ask myself a question --- Duchess was a puppy also at one time & it took me 2 years to get her to the point where she could be totally trusted. It would not be fair to Cocoa if I did not a least give her the same chance -- she is after all just a puppy who needs to learn just like my Duchess did. So I decided to keep her with us because she too was rescued from a kill shelter & deserves a second chance .
Adopting Fergus has put you in a tailspin of emotions but if you look deep inside -- you will find your answer.
Do what you feel you must because I would not keep a dog if I did not want it. If he is truly a sweet dog with the exception of his aggression towards other dogs, this problem can be dealt with. I see that you have already taken steps to find someone that can help him with this . Follow your heart it is seldom wrong
Good luck to you & Fergus
Bernadette
Oh Bernadette, I can totally relate to your story!!!
It was a good reminder for us ALL with new furbabies. They are new to ourhomes and families and will not be just like the precious furbaby we lost. However, in time I believe they will all be just as special to us.
My little Brandy was also kept in the kitchen when we would leave the house. He used a baby gate. In fact, we had to buy TWO and stack them up because she would climb over the first one. Then one day we came home and she had pushed the baby gate down and actually bent the coated wire slats! She would chew up the wooden kitchen table legs and bitter apple spray did no good. I actually watched her licking at it! I finally gave up and let her have the house. I still find occassional items she chews on (like the TV remote control), but she's not as destructive as she is confined to one room. She climbs over our fence in the yard and we have to keep an eye on her when she is outside. Oh the list goes on, but anyone with a furbaby knows all the trouble they can get into.
Like you, I felt even more lost without my Rachael. I could trust her anywhere in the house! Then I stopped and remembered when she was a puppy. She used to chew up carpets! In fact, when my mother used to watch her as a puppy, she chewed up her carpets too. It cost me a fortunate to have all her carpeting replaced for her.
So, new furbabies will NEVER EVER feel the same. We have to give them time to adjust. It takes alot of patience and love.
Best of luck to ALL of you who have adopted recently
Cheri
It was a good reminder for us ALL with new furbabies. They are new to ourhomes and families and will not be just like the precious furbaby we lost. However, in time I believe they will all be just as special to us.
My little Brandy was also kept in the kitchen when we would leave the house. He used a baby gate. In fact, we had to buy TWO and stack them up because she would climb over the first one. Then one day we came home and she had pushed the baby gate down and actually bent the coated wire slats! She would chew up the wooden kitchen table legs and bitter apple spray did no good. I actually watched her licking at it! I finally gave up and let her have the house. I still find occassional items she chews on (like the TV remote control), but she's not as destructive as she is confined to one room. She climbs over our fence in the yard and we have to keep an eye on her when she is outside. Oh the list goes on, but anyone with a furbaby knows all the trouble they can get into.
Like you, I felt even more lost without my Rachael. I could trust her anywhere in the house! Then I stopped and remembered when she was a puppy. She used to chew up carpets! In fact, when my mother used to watch her as a puppy, she chewed up her carpets too. It cost me a fortunate to have all her carpeting replaced for her.
So, new furbabies will NEVER EVER feel the same. We have to give them time to adjust. It takes alot of patience and love.
Best of luck to ALL of you who have adopted recently
Cheri
Carolyn,
This is not the end of the world. I have a pup for 16.5 years who did not like other animals but he was absolutely awesome with two-legged ones. I just learned to keep him away from other animals which really isn't that hard to do at all. Contacting a behaviorist was a good move ... there are things you can do to help mitigate the problem ... it does not have to mean letting him go back to the shelter. If you are willing to take the time to work with him this does not have to be a permanent problem. If you want some suggestions on some of the techniques I have learned write me and I would be happy to share them with you.
Hugs,
Beth
This is not the end of the world. I have a pup for 16.5 years who did not like other animals but he was absolutely awesome with two-legged ones. I just learned to keep him away from other animals which really isn't that hard to do at all. Contacting a behaviorist was a good move ... there are things you can do to help mitigate the problem ... it does not have to mean letting him go back to the shelter. If you are willing to take the time to work with him this does not have to be a permanent problem. If you want some suggestions on some of the techniques I have learned write me and I would be happy to share them with you.
Hugs,
Beth
Hi Caroline,
I know you have alot of questions about Fergus now, but I think it is so awesome that you rescued him. Maybe it will just take him a while to get used to the rest of the family members expecially the four legged ones. Who knows what his past was like - poor baby would not have made it if you had not rescued him. Perhaps he just needs some time and some love (which I know you are wonderful at giving) to adjust to your household.
I know what you mean about how easy Lucy was. I have 12 week old Shelby who is very demanding and wants to tear up my house. Sasha was very mellow but I think we just have to adjust to our new babies. Don't be afraid to love Fergus. I think that he has probably had a negative experience with another animal and is just reacting to his past. Animals often do not like each other at first but learn to be friends. When I got my Skipper almost 13 years ago our cat, Kiddo, snubbed her. But in a few months they had made their peace and were actually sleeping together, and when Kiddo died Skipper was so sad that my husband got me Sasha. Perhaps Fergus just needs more time.
He is going to be different than Lucy just as Shelby is different than Sasha. I think it is great that you have contacted a behaviorist to get some help. I think it will work out for you. I think you, your family and Fergus just need time to adjust.
Keep us posted on how things are going. I wish all of you the best!
Nancy
I know you have alot of questions about Fergus now, but I think it is so awesome that you rescued him. Maybe it will just take him a while to get used to the rest of the family members expecially the four legged ones. Who knows what his past was like - poor baby would not have made it if you had not rescued him. Perhaps he just needs some time and some love (which I know you are wonderful at giving) to adjust to your household.
I know what you mean about how easy Lucy was. I have 12 week old Shelby who is very demanding and wants to tear up my house. Sasha was very mellow but I think we just have to adjust to our new babies. Don't be afraid to love Fergus. I think that he has probably had a negative experience with another animal and is just reacting to his past. Animals often do not like each other at first but learn to be friends. When I got my Skipper almost 13 years ago our cat, Kiddo, snubbed her. But in a few months they had made their peace and were actually sleeping together, and when Kiddo died Skipper was so sad that my husband got me Sasha. Perhaps Fergus just needs more time.
He is going to be different than Lucy just as Shelby is different than Sasha. I think it is great that you have contacted a behaviorist to get some help. I think it will work out for you. I think you, your family and Fergus just need time to adjust.
Keep us posted on how things are going. I wish all of you the best!
Nancy
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