Interesting dogs who don't get on!

WantToChange16

Hoping for some advice.

We have 3 large male dogs, aged 8, 7 and 1. They are all neutered and get on great. We've recently had to take on another small dog from someone who could no longer care for him. He's 2 and also a neutered male. Problem is we can't ever have them in the same room or put them in the garden together. The little dog thinks he's bigger and starts growling and grabbing onto the necks of the big guys! �� Understandably, they react to this and defend themselves so we have to grab the little guy before the big ones hurt him. The big 3 also join forces when one is threatened so we are understandably worried they'd seriously hurt the little dog.

We never plan to feed them together or have them sleeping together but would be great if they could eventually go out in the garden together or lay by the fire together at night (supervised by us).

Any suggestions on how to safely integrate them appreciated.

Bells21

I would think this process would be best undertaken with the help of a professional as there may be quite a lot of different dynamics to look at.
Just as an aside, a small dog may feel quite threatened facing three bigger dogs, especially in enclosed spaces indoors.
If you post where you're based, someone may be able to suggest someone who could help.

Cherry Blossom

How did you introduce them initially?

Keep the little dog separate at all times while you are doing introductions. Introduce one dog at a time. Hire an accomplice and take one dog each for a walk. Leave as much space as is necessary for both dogs to be comfortable. Over time (weeks or months) you can slowly close the gap. When both dogs are comfortable in each others company move on to the next dog. When the little dog is happy with each of the three dogs repeat the process with each possible pair of dogs (3 combinations). Only when everyone is comfortable in their threesomes repeat the process again with all 4 dogs.

This will take quite a long time but you will be able to see what the dynamic is within all the different combinations of dogs and hopefully you can figure out some way to manage your set up.

Is the neck grabbing aggressive or playful?

WantToChange16

Thanks for your reply.

I agree the small dog probably does feel threatened. He's not used to living with other dogs, not to mind 3 big ones! The small dog growls at every dog he passes on a walk too (We walk him on his own) so think he just generally isn't good with other dogs.

In Clare area but could travel to Tipperary or Limerick too.

WantToChange16

Thanks Cherry Blossom. That sounds like a great suggestion. The small dog used to visit occasionally and we used to leave him happily in our garden for short periods with out youngest big dog (who was a puppy then so loved playing with the little dog). Once the small dog came to live with us (4 weeks ago), we had just him and our young dog in the kitchen and small dog immediately aggressively grabbed the big one so we had to separate them. We haven't introduced them at all since small dog moved in as we don't want to risk small dog getting hurt.

I will start tomorrow with walking just two with another person to lead big dog. Sounds like a good plan.

We love all of them. Wasn't in the plans to have 4 dogs but we are definitely keeping the small dog, we love him, just would be great over time if they could interact. We're happy to do this very slowly.

Thanks for your posts so far. V helpful.

L1985

We recently got a new puppy and our shepdog was seriously not impressed. She kept going for her. What we found worked best was to let them interact outside as the shepdog didn't feel as threatened. Took a week or so for her to settle down inside but they adore each other now and you can hardly her the Tv in the evenings from the noise of them playing!!! Deff giving them space worked wonders!!