Skip to content

Female aggression with new B coming into home

Behavioral Issues
  • Hi all,

    Well, I have a 2 yr old female who I thought was well behaved. She has always been so playful with all other dogs and B's coming over to the house. I have been watching 2 (female and male) many times when their parents go on travel and for the most part - she has been great and not aggressive. She seemed to live for interaction with other dogs. So, feeling bad for her, I got a "rescue" male, 4 yr old, that had been an only B. He has wanted and tried to play with her and for the most part she wants nothing to do with him. She will play a tiny bit, then turn into an aggressive little brat. he is losing his interest, and I don't blame him.

    Question: From your experiences, Is this a hopeless cause and things are not likely to improve or is it more normal and my Skyler needs some time to warm up to Enzo (new male)? Do dogs each have their own individual chemical attraction- i.e. sometimes its there and sometimes not ?

    PS - I did introduce them on neutral territory.

    Thanks,
    Viviane in Falls Church

  • I added a rescue male to our household when my female was nine years old. She hated him on sight! She never did really warm up to him or play with him, but gradually decided she could tolerate him, and that's how things stayed until she died at age sixteen. They got along O.K. most of the time and I think he was company for her, but she could never bring herself to really like him. However, the overt aggression didn't last.

  • Give them some time to adjust. It may take weeks for things to settle. I introduced a rescued male to my female and she was quite standoffish. They were both the same age. When you train or play with them do so equally with both and do not favor one over the other during these sessions. If your female has a favorite spot do not let the male supplant her. However, make sure you allow both equal access to you. In other words I had to move to the middle of the couch and later on it didn't matter anymore.

    In my case and after a while (about two months) they adjusted to the new makeup of the household. And sure they still had their snits from time to time but I always growl louder than they can to remind both who is the top dog in the pack. As you know they have unique personalities and hopefully with love and patience and you being the leader they will learn all is ok.

Suggested Topics

  • 0 Votes
    10 Posts
    5k Views
    C
    My Basenji Kobi gets along with all dogs she has met except one particular one in our sub. For some reason they just dont like each other, and he is just as growly with her as she is with him. Now I took her to my brothers house and she met his dog for the first time, a huge boxer pitbull mix. And they were a little snarky with each other at first, but the minute they got off the leash and were running around the yard they had a blast. But in the house his dog was very domineering and they got into it a little. But we watched them and they seemed to work it out. His dog was definitely the dominant one in the house, but my little girl ran circles around her outside. She was definitely the leader outside. His poor girl could not keep up with her. lol.
  • 0 Votes
    10 Posts
    5k Views
    P
    Congratulations on the future new addition. Boy/girl is a good combination. As others have advised let them meet on neutral ground and take them for a long walk together. For every good interaction praise both inordinately. As Curlytails says don't rush it. Keep us posted, please and best wishes to you all.
  • B Boy wants to fight with new NSDT

    Behavioral Issues
    14
    0 Votes
    14 Posts
    5k Views
    eeeefarmE
    This is the doghouse we used for years for our outdoor Border Collie. I realize Alberta can be colder (although we have seen -30C at this location), but you are talking about daytime use, not overnight. We used straw for bedding, and when my dog emerged in the morning after a cold night, he was quite warm and the interior of the house was also (I checked). Sized and insulated correctly, this design will keep a dog warm. (you could obviously change the dimensions to allow for more insulation if necessary). The only caveat is, will he use it? My BC was happy to retire to his house for the night, but during the day tended to lie in the "porch" so he could see what was going on. Of course, much of the day he spent his time with me, so it was a non issue. (one addition…...we put a couple of cement blocks on the roof after it blew off one day in a windstorm!) http://www.kwhumane.com/uploads/Documents/Ideal_Doghouse.pdf
  • Worried - new aggressive behaviour

    Behavioral Issues
    9
    0 Votes
    9 Posts
    3k Views
    agilebasenjiA
    Cats are almost always hypERthyroid; dogs are almost always hypOthyroid. And there is a long list of hypothyroidism, (no idea about hyper, i don't have a cat) and dogs will often just have a few symptoms, not all. just google. Personally, I'd look for a behaviorist and get the Control Unleashed book. It talks about how to create a new history for experiences. It also talks about threshholds which you really need to understand in dealing with a dog like this.
  • Female aggression to older female

    Behavioral Issues
    14
    0 Votes
    14 Posts
    3k Views
    S
    I am sorry these dogs don't get along, but really, it will be best to keep them apart. They can hurt/kill each other, and often its silent and very, very ugly. Hugs for being committed to all your dogs.
  • Does your B do this!!!

    Behavioral Issues
    19
    0 Votes
    19 Posts
    7k Views
    BarklessdogB
    Thats fine I dont want to get on the wrong paw here!