I debated writing this, but maybe by writing it will calm me down.
The Scene: I walk in the door after work. Mark is already home
Act 1: Both girls vie for my attention. I don't make a big deal, but pet both on the head and a few ear scritches. Bonnie starts jumping around like a nut and jumps (unintentionally) on Maddie. Maddie growls and gives her the look like "hey cut it out". Bonnie took it as something else and jumped on top ofMaddie growling and snarling. Maddie did not engage and I don't think any teeth were used. Mark grabbed Maddie and I grabbed Bonnie and laid her in a submissive (on her back) position and just held her there and told her what I thought of her behavior. "No! No! No!!" After about a minute, I release her and she goes right to Maddie again and growled but didn't lunge-because I again laid her down in on her back.
Act 11: Maddie is not hurt. No knicks or blood. She does not appear fearful of Bonnie but isn't thrilled about her "in your face" overtures. She sits down when Bonnie wants to sniff her. Finally, Bonnie seems to snap out of her "protect mommy" mode and wants to be friends again with the Roo. Maddie lets her lick her ear and side of her mouth.
ENDING: They are again laying next to each other on the futon.
Looks like we've got some more work to do with BonBon. Was I right to take her down like I did? They get along famously unless I'm in the middle and then Bonnie gets territorial. Precisely why Bonnie sleeps in the crate at night. Anything more that I can do? It scares me when they get like this.
And now I am going to say something that I hope no one misunderstands or takes wrong.....but some might.
If Bonnie were EVER to hurt Maddie, I would have her up for adoption in no time flat. That is just not acceptable behavior and being of little means, I can't afford a dog behavioralist. I love my girls but I was warned that Bonnie might truly be a only dog type dog. I would make sure she got placed that way. That's just IF....and I'm pretty shaken up. Thanks for letting me vent.
There's two parts to the drill: :wink:
One: Put the offending pupper in a down on his/her back, using your five fingers as "Mommy" teeth. I call it the Vulcan pupper grip.
Two: Hold the pupper there until he/she is calm and relaxed, in a "calm/submissive" mode. Keep the offended pupper next to the Aggressive pupper, so Aggressive understands it's all about his/her treatment of Offended. Does that make sense? It works for Cesar! :thumb:
There actually is a clip on one of the Dog Whisperer podcasts. A basset hound goes after one of the four dachshunds in M-I-L's herd. You can see in the background, while Cesar is busy applying discipline, one of the dachshunds makes a mad dash for the sliding glass door, "LET ME IN, THEY'RE KILLING DACHSHUNDS OUT HERE!!" :meme:
Then Cesar gets someone to hand him the offended dachshund so he can hold it next to the basset hound and the dachsy's look is, "I'M GOING TO DIE!!! STOP THIS CRAZY MEXICAN!! CALL I.N.S.!!!" :runaway:
It's a million dollar dachshund moment! :2funny:
Karen :chairfall:
It might help if when you come in do not pet anyone for a little bit till they are over the excitement of you being home then call them then pet them when they are calm. That way no one would accidently land on the other one since they are both trying to get your attention at the same time. Or No pets at all till four on the floor etheir sitting or standing then pet them ?Then I would do the NILF dog training with them both it is coming out slowly that Alfa rolls can cause more aggression in dogs.Good Luck Papbouv
Sandi, give Bonnie more time. Don't greet either dog when you first get home, do not get into their excitement or "feed" it. Ignore them. Both are vying for your attention and are competing with each other. Lie low and stay calm. If they start getting into it, put them in their place whether it be their kennels or just ignoring them. And STAY CALM, they can't know that this upsets you or they will use it against you. I don't know what else to say, but I think I know you well enough to know that you will give Bonnie every chance you can give her. What will happen to her if you give up on her? Hang in there!!!
I am so sorry you are having this problem Sandi. You are getting lots of good advice here. I'll just add to the rays that things settle with the girls!
NEW DAY! NEW RULES!
Thanks so much for responding! Karen, right on! :thumb: Patty, you make SENSE!
NEW RULES
Totally ignore them when I get home. No pets. No nuthin......until both are calm.
When Bonnie calms a bit, take time to play toss a bit. Wear the little booger out. Cesar says that aggression comes from pent up energy. I intend to run it out of her.
If there are growls, the growler will immediately be removed from their position and put on the floor. Most growls happen on the couch. I'm the BOSS!
The girls were so lovey to each other today. Maybe yesterday was a "sorting out" of sorts. Just done in an unacceptable hooman way.
I'm gonna give this litttle girl the BEST chance I can. I am slowly being trained and that's where it begins.
Thanks for all your thoughts.
:wink: Atta girl!
Remember Cesar's three rules when entering a pack: no talk, no touch, no eye contact. After all, you may have two little "pwincesses" but YOU are the Queen! :thumb:
Auntie Karen :heart:
Thats right! The leader of the "herd" knows how it goes... :wink:
Don't let Bonnie get away with none of those shinanagins,,, good for you to stop the feuding and relay your authority! and that in a nutshell is how it goes,,, your the boss, they listen to you and do what they are told,,,, keep consistent and t won't take long to have a happy family cause everyone will be on the same page and know what is expected of them! :wink: :thumb: :grin:
So glad it was a better day and you are feeling better about it. I am sure it will all work out this is just the new pupper adjustment bumps...hang in there with her Sandi we are all learning through your experience with this.
Just my 2 cents - I think you are still in the getting to know each other stage. Good advice to ignore both of them and I think you were right in playing the top dog card with Bonnie. Just be firm and consistent ! Smoochies to both girlies and hug to mom !
YEA!! CESAR MILLAN - I WANT TO HAVE HIS CHILDREN!!!!! :funnyup:
Uh, Auntie Karen, he's already married! :crazyeyes:
And twenty years younger than you! And didn't you say that your "factory was closed down?" :dontknow:
And . . . he's um, not Jewish! :comfort:
Spoil sports - a girl can dream, can't she??? :pray:
PEACE in Dogdom and the Hooyman household.
When I came home at lunch (and at the end of the day) I walked in and did not look at them, didn't greet and kept walking. I fixed my lunch and got my burger frying. Only then did I quietly take Bonnie's favorite toy (hamburger) and quietly invited her to play. We did about 6 throws and then I turned my burger and finished cooking it. I sat down to eat and then and only then did we have quality time. Both were calm and each pupper got lots of pets. I kept my voice down and all was peaceful and friendly. Repeated about the same when I got home. Maddie was a bit confused but she'll get used to it. I also didn't feed them as soon as I hit the door. I looked at the mail and put on a load of wash. Then they ate, after I made them SIT first before serving. Bonnie and I had another round of toss and then loves. So far, way different than last night. I've clued Mark in on the RULES. If we get on the couch and Bonnie starts the possessive growl things, she gets couch privileges suspended for a time (5 mins). I'm much hopeful and am pleased with our progress today.
Keep it up! I know it works!
Judy is living proof!
You last post sounds like you are on the right track the couch growling should cease quickly when they find out they no longer can be on the couch unless they act like ladies.A great plan keep us posted on how things are going.Good Luck
:apls: :apls: You are definitely on the right track...keep us posted on your progress!! :apls: :apls:
It looks like you've gotten some good advice and are doing a good job with the girls. And, Sandi...nobody would blame you for rehoming Bonnie if it came down to it. Maddie is your first concern. It's sounding like you're working through this, though, and you won't even have to cross that bridge.