Introducing Pup #2 Pup-Sitting Issue..

[Doc and Ozzie]

This is a temporary issue for me however quite important. My mom adopted a 4 mo old female mini GD (Pippi) from the shelter and had to leave for a non refundable vaca yesterday. I am pup sitting. I have a large 3 mo old male LD (Doc). When they were introduced the first time 2 days ago, Pippi seemed to be SCARED TO DEATH of Doc who was desperately trying to get over to her to play (we had them on leash and one at a time off leash alternating). When Doc was off leash he would run to her sniff and pounce, she would hunker down, tuck her tail, and hang her head low-- frozen stiff every time. When she was off leash she would run as far as possible from him (on top of the couch or in another room). Doc eventually lost interest in trying to pursue her friendship and played on his own or with us, Pippi stayed far away and only watched him occasionally most times keeping her head and sight pointed elsewhere. I have never seen anything like this is in such a young pup.

Yesterday, after mom had to leave her with us, we kept Doc and Pippi crated most of the day in an XL crate with a divider btwn them. Thinking they would get used to each other that way. Pippi HATES the crate barks most of the time (I am sure she is not used to being crated except for at the pound, so rightfully so). Doc is crate trained and loves his crate. Until we let Pippi out and he is still in there, then he barks constantly. Each time we would let them both out Pippi demonstrated the same terrified behavior. I cannot have them barking constantly at one another or due to the crate, bc my one yr old needs to nap during the day.

We have no idea from what situation Pippi came. She was found on the outskirts of a neighborhood wandering alone when animal control found her. Doc has been very much spoiled and babied his whole life so they are clearly from very different backgrounds. I want Pippi to feel safe. I want to be able to keep her here with us but have no idea how to make this work. I have tried taking Pippi back to mom's house and then bringing Doc into her territory, she was a little more at ease that way but still stayed far from him and froze when he came near. She really didn't do much better. Mom said we could leave her at her house and go over to let her out for breaks, to check on her, feed her and things, but, without a crate I am afraid she would get into something.

Any suggestions on HOW TO ACCLIMATE Doc and Pippi would be GREATLY APPRECIATED!! 

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Maybe they just need a little more time together, you didn't indicate what time frame they were with each other. I think Pippi will get used to Doc they are after all both still puppies.

They are both beautiful by the way. Good Luck.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I agree with Lisa.  I think it will take a little time.  Pippi has clearly not had any good dog socialization experiences and so she has to learn that she has nothing to fear from Doc.  As long as she has an "escape route" where she can go when she's insecure, then I wouldn't worry too much.  It's going to be hard, but I'd be very careful not to reinforce her fear behaviors by giving her extra attention or affection when she's acting fearful.  When she interacts with Doc without that fear I would absolutely reward like crazy.  Good luck.

[Doc and Ozzie]

Great advice Jane, on treating her when she is interacting well with Doc! That worked! We had them playing like litter mates within 15 minutes!! Thank you! And thank all of you for the great response and help in "crisis" this really is such a great site with a great wealth of knowledgeable doodle owners!

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

You have to remember what all Pippi has been through recently.  She was on the streets, in the mean ole pound with scary dogs, rescued and taken to your Mom's house, started getting a little comfortable, then uprooted and now is at your house.  She is probably scared to death and very confused.  Is there anyway that you can just put them in separate rooms, separated by a doggie gate or something.  I would also, if possible, maybe sit on the floor with them and treat Pippi when she is willing to come sit with you and be near Doc.  Just give her lots of love, treat her when she is being good and in time I'm sure they will adjust.  I once spent a long week-end with my Brothers maltese here when she was a puppy and I actually had to carry her around all week-end because Lucy was too bossy and growled at her constantly whenever I put her on the floor.  The puppy wasn't afraid of Lucy and wouldn't stay away from her.   It was a long week-end.

[Ginny Nightingale]

I have puppy sat and have had them here with my three dogs who are bigger and too rambunctious to put them all together. I put my dogs behind a gate so that they had a few rooms and kept the puppy with me. When the pup had a naptime, he went in the crate and i was with my dogs. My dogs go behind a gate when i groom, so they are used to it.

Now you have a different situation and I think it will take time--I will say that I was at a litter reunion recently where 5 out of the 6 siblings were having fun together and the 6th acted just like Pippi is acting. And this pup had two standard poodle siblings at home and has been living a great life! So you never know what is going on. 

I would try to separate them with a gate most of the time when not in the crate--(I think the divided crate is OK if it is not too intense for her) and give them 5 or 10 minutes together at first and then separate them again. It might be two days before she relaxes so be patient. I realize that it would be hard to leave either of them on one side of the gate alone, though, so this idea might not work. Is there anyone else who can watch her?

[Doc and Ozzie]

I am going to try a baby gate on the bathroom door. We have a very open floor plan so there's not many areas to gate other than bedrooms or baths. I do hate to try keeping her in a small bathroom, but, she'll be safe at least.I would just carry her, but I have a one yr old occupying my hip most times. Unfortunately, there's not anyone else that I know of that could keep her this week. 

[BG and Gavin]

I think walking them together if you can will help them to bond.

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

I think acclimating them is best done with  leashes off.  Dogs feel differently on a leash than off.  Each of you hold, pet, and play with one dog apiece slowly decreasing the distance between you.Then change dogs and do it again As you do this encourage calm in everyone.  If your dog will belly up for a long wonderful belly rub from you, that is a good time to let Pippi sniff and investigate him.  This will only work if Doc is truly mellow from the belly rub (which continues) and Pippi may even get up enough courage to initiate the sniffing.

.  Do not crate them together, even with a barrier between.  If you do not have and cannot borrow a small crate, crate the small one in the bathtub with lots of towels. 

At the ages these pups are they will almost certainly start to play with one another.  Try to keep the worry vibes down and use low calm voices and laughter.  Most dogs understand human laughter, find it calming (as in non agression, not no running around and being a puppy and enjoy the sound of you laughing.  

 

Patience, supervision, calm voice, short playtime  

 

[Doc and Ozzie]

Thanks for all of your great advice, they are doing wonderfully together now! 

[F, Calla & Luca]

That is great news!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Ditto! And could they be any cuter together?

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

Hurray!!!