Dogs not getting on

misschoo

Hi all I rescued a 6 year old female poundie a year ago. All has went well. Two weeks ago I decided to trial another rescue same age/sex/breed. She’s beautiful but a little nervous but coming around. My other one is jealous and has went for her a few times. The newbie is smaller so I’m separating them when I’m at work. Even though I walk them both in the morning before work, again when I’m home at lunch the newbie pees and poops when I’m not there. I was off for four days last week and there was nothing. They both walk really well together nosing at stuff with the heads down close but I’m unsure if I’m doing the right thing for the newbie. She was a surrender from an elderly couple so I think she’s used to someone home all day even though there’s only 2 four hour periods when I’m at work. I’m wondering if my other dog is stressing her when I’m not there. I’ve become very attached to her but I’m feeling I’m not being fair to her, has anyone any advice as to how I can get them used to each other or what should I do? Thanks in advance.

irishlady29

Would you consider a crate for the newbie while your out? Could you get somebody to call in and bring newbie for a walk or just sit with them. Maybe leave the radio on for them. I would expect things to settle down after awhile.

DBB

I wouldn't crate a dog for 2 X 4 hour periods.
Baby gates between rooms, or at the minimum a good indoor pen might be considered instead.
Having said that op, and I know people will say this hasn't been their experience, but they are in a statistical minority... putting 2 female dogs together in the one home, unless they're both known to be very easygoing with other female dogs, is risky. The risk intensifies even more with certain breeds, and sorry to say that the Staffy is one of them. I know some people will not agree with this, but facing facts, Staffies are amongst the breeds that are more likely to be "dog hot".
If she is getting so stressed when you're out that she poops, you have a lot of work ahead of you to resolve this problem, and if you can't make alternative arrangements so that she has human company for most of the day in the first few months of treatment for separation anxiety, then there's a big enough danger that you'll never resolve the separation anxiety problem with your schedule as it is.
Sorry, I know this all seems negative from me, but I do feel you've a lot of thinking to do about whether this particular dog is the right fit for you.

Knine

Absolutely agree with the above advice. I had to make a very sad decision last week because 2 bitches also a terrier breed did not get on.

The best of luck. These decisions are never easy.

sillysmiles

misschoo wrote: »

Two weeks ago I decided to trial another rescue same age/sex/breed.

It's two weeks and you took this on as a trial. Personally I would be talking to the rescue again and seeing if there is another dog that is more suitable and compatible to your existing dog.

aonb

Did I miss something about the dog(s) being Staffies?
And yes, also agree that putting two bitches together can be a disaster.
Worth putting a WEBCAM in place to see whats going on while you are out?
If the newbie is suffering from separation anxiety, agree its going to be a tough road ahead. If shes very nice, and you've bonded with her after 2 weeks, maybe you should consider returning her to the rescue, hard as that is, and giving her a chance to get a home where someone is home all day - someone else will love her and bond with her too.
On the other hand it is only 2 weeks so everything is new/strange to both your own dog and the newbie. But agree as DBB pointed out, bitches can be a very difficult mix, and if they're a "hot" breed, it might be sensible to consider returning her before she is too settled tough one

DBB

aonb wrote: »

Did I miss something about the dog(s) being Staffies?

Errrrr... I have no idea why I thought they were Staffies?! I'm clearly getting old

aonb

DBB wrote: »

Errrrr... I have no idea why I thought they were Staffies?! I'm clearly getting old

tedpan

We have two Old English Sheepdogs, brother(3) and sister(2) a year apart. The boy never has toilet issues. We walk them before work, then a dog walker arrives at lunchtime and then a walk after work.

We also have CCTV for the dogs and can watch what they're up to during the day, which mostly consists of chewing skirting boards and playing with their mountain of toys.

The girl is shy and scared of lots of dogs and people after a Rottweiler attacked her and then the house was broken into about 12 months ago, both in a short space of time.
Since then, she always does a wee and maybe a poo within 10 minutes of us leaving(thanks cameras). She definitely has separation anxiety, gets bored easily and is happiest with company. I used to give out to her, but quickly realised that she just misses us. Whenever we're at home there are no issues, just a sensitive dog.

Best of luck, but I don't see mine stopping anytime soon.

misschoo

Hi thanks everyone for the advice. I never thought about separation anxiety - that makes sense as this dog was a surrender by an elderly couplewho couldn’t look after her anymore so they were probably at home all day with her. She’s not a Staffie or what I’d classify as a hot breed. Anyway things took a turn for the worse yesterday morning - my dog went after her under the bed totally unprovoked so I had to put a call to the rescue who agreed that she needed to go to a home with someone who was there all day and with a dog who wasn’t territorial. I’m just devastated as I was so attached to her and I’d fallen in love with her but I have to think of her best interests and also my own dog. I cried all yesterday evening. It would never have worked separating them every day. Thanks for your comments - I very much appreciate it.

DBB

Sorry it didn't work out op, but you've done the right thing, hard as that is.
Isn't your dog a Westie? If so, I would beg to differ that this is not a dog hot breed... I've a lot of experience with the breed and wouldn't dream of putting 2 females together. They take being bitchy to a whole new level.
If you're looking for another Westie, I'd suggest you go for a younger male.
That is assuming we're talking Westies here

misschoo

DBB wrote: »

Sorry it didn't work out op, but you've done the right thing, hard as that is.
Isn't your dog a Westie? If so, I would beg to differ that this is not a dog hot breed... I've a lot of experience with the breed and wouldn't dream of putting 2 females together. They take being bitchy to a whole new level.
If you're looking for another Westie, I'd suggest you go for a younger male.
That is assuming we're talking Westies here

Yes she is - and being the type she is she just wants to be the boss here at home & the one in charge so I’m knocking getting another one on the head!!