New min pin

[bellamia_525]

I have a female 2 1/2 yr old min pin, who is very friendly and loves everyone and everything. Two days ago I got a new male min pin who is 4 months old. My female has been fine with him, but shes not that playful with him, I thought she would be. I mean alot of people say that they just need time to adjust to each other. I know that this has been her territory for a while and stuff, I am just concerned that she wont like him that much. I am just wondering if I have done the wrong thing by getting a new dog, or if she just needs time to get to know him. If anyone has any info or has been in this situation b4 please let me know. Any info will help. Should I be really worried? Thank you.
Meghan

[caseysmom]

It took casey between 6 and 8 weeks to accept bubba. Casey was 4 and bubba was 8 weeks old when I adopted him.

They are good buds now, she does put him in his place sometimes but they play together a lot.

[bellamia_525]

Thanks, thats a little more comforting to know. I dont care if it takes that long, I just want her to accept him. Thanks again.

[Giselle]

I wish someone would have told me this before I added a new dog into my family because the fact of the matter is that not all dogs necessarily like each other. I kept waiting for the moment when Giselle and Lucky would cuddle and sleep on the same bed like other dogs but that moment never came. Disappointing for me, but I love them both all the same. :)

Your dogs may never totally "love" each other. Heck, they might not even like each other, but as long as they can tolerate each other, you'll be fine. Be forewarned - if your dogs are anything like mine, they might have a few scuffles here and there. You shouldn't be worried, though. Just keep giving the same amount of attention the female and you should be fine!

[borzoimom]

I have a female 2 1/2 yr old min pin, who is very friendly and loves everyone and everything. Two days ago I got a new male min pin who is 4 months old. My female has been fine with him, but shes not that playful with him, I thought she would be. I mean alot of people say that they just need time to adjust to each other. I know that this has been her territory for a while and stuff, I am just concerned that she wont like him that much. I am just wondering if I have done the wrong thing by getting a new dog, or if she just needs time to get to know him. If anyone has any info or has been in this situation b4 please let me know. Any info will help. Should I be really worried? Thank you.
Meghan
Honey- it takes time. One day she will wake up like " ohhhhhhh wow- lets play new dog.. lets play.." Just give her time. Remember to pet her first, feed her first, put the leash on her first, give cookies to HER first etc and she will figure out this little guy is not only not a threat but also so down right fun.. Just give her time. Maybe she knows she is so much bigger than he is, and not sure how to play yet- but she will figure it out. He will be mostly full grown by 6 and half months- and being a male she will see him more of a playmate. Just honor her position as the boss and there first, and remember- the puppy doesnt know she wont play with him yet- he is just a baby and learning allllll the ropes and rules of the house still.. You can give him a little one on one time as I am sure he has to go outside more than she does. Get out of sight like the side of the house and play with him a little more .. Its best if she goes out with you guys- sometimes a indoor dog might know not to play that much in the house- and taking them out together might help.
Just remember its cold here- ( not sure about your area) and they cant stay out too long..
Sounds like fun- and I cant wait to see pictures. My step son and soon to be wife, just got one. Theirs is black and tan and a total riot!! Soooooooo cute!!!

[caseysmom]

Honey- it takes time. One day she will wake up like " ohhhhhhh wow- lets play new dog.. lets play.." Just give her time. Remember to pet her first, feed her first, put the leash on her first, give cookies to HER first etc and she will figure out this little guy is not only not a threat but also so down right fun.. Just give her time. Maybe she knows she is so much bigger than he is, and not sure how to play yet- but she will figure it out. He will be mostly full grown by 6 and half months- and being a male she will see him more of a playmate. Just honor her position as the boss and there first, and remember- the puppy doesnt know she wont play with him yet- he is just a baby and learning allllll the ropes and rules of the house still.. You can give him a little one on one time as I am sure he has to go outside more than she does. Get out of sight like the side of the house and play with him a little more .. Its best if she goes out with you guys- sometimes a indoor dog might know not to play that much in the house- and taking them out together might help.
Just remember its cold here- ( not sure about your area) and they cant stay out too long..
Sounds like fun- and I cant wait to see pictures. My step son and soon to be wife, just got one. Theirs is black and tan and a total riot!! Soooooooo cute!!!

Actually I think you should show her that YOU are the boss not one of the dogs, I think letting one of the dogs think they are boss is a big mistake.

[borzoimom]

"We" are always the boss, but the dogs have a heirachy over who is next in line..

[caseysmom]

Their pack order should not effect how the human treats them.

[bluebird]

It seems to me that giving any dog preference over the others is asking for trouble.

I'd love to read a discussion on the realities of multi dog households and allowing any dog to be top dog. We've always had multiple dogs and none were allowed to be dominant over any other. None were fed first, allowed out the door first, petted first or allowed to be constantly first in anything.

Everyone got along just fine!

[caseysmom]

Glacier has 30+ dogs and is doing a great job, I have really listened to her advice on this subject. I don't claim to speak for her but this is the advice I have from her.

[borzoimom]

Their pack order should not effect how the human treats them.
I always acknowledge the top dog first- its one of their rights. I use to have 35 shepherds at one time- order is important for peace in the pack..

[borzoimom]

I also do the same here with just 4 borzois- Hottie is the boss, then Femka, then Zubin then galina.. ( in that order- day after day..)

[caseysmom]

Your entitled to your opinion, I don't share that opinion though...apparantly not on a lot of subjects.

[bluebird]

I always acknowledge the top dog first- its one of their rights. I use to have 35 shepherds at one time- order is important for peace in the pack..

Oh wow! 35 shepherds at one time, all housepets???????????

[borzoimom]

Oh wow! 35 shepherds at one time, all housepets???????????
YUP!! :D Everyone of them!! lol.. You should have seen my house at the time.. lol.. The dinning room/living room and family room had wall to wall crates- they all had their group. I got at 5am and started routines .. lol.. It can be done but takes serious committment to do so. My day ended at 10pm.. Then start again.. whew- these days seem like a total blur! Most could have a operating groups. I did have 3 I had to keep seperated though. But during the day they were just one big group unless I had a female in season or a retired police dog until he learned how to handle a group again. I actually remember it fondly= busy- but fondly.. ( just too old for that obviously- ) The yard was 5 acres fenced but had like 3 yards with gates to let the groups out.. Everyone knew which door was theres. .. I will see if I can load some pictures. You seem to be more receptive..

[borzoimom]

Your entitled to your opinion, I don't share that opinion though...apparantly not on a lot of subjects.
thats your decission not mine caseysmom- life is too short for that one. .. Have a nice day..

[borzoimom]

A pack of dogs is possible- look at Ceasar. And each knows his/her place in the pack life. ( only mine lived inside- I think I had like 5 vacs at one time.. lol.. jeeeeeeeeeeez what a blur..)

[TFTpwnsYou]

I actually acknowledged the top animal 1st. When I got my 1st dog we had cats way before a dog so I made sure the cats knew they still came 1st and the dog was not here to take over. Now they looove each other. When I got my 2nd dog I made sure that my 1st got acknowledged on pets, treats, in and out of the house and so on. Even though I know he wouldn't have cared I just found it more respectful to him since he is 2nd in command(me being 1st rank officer). Kind of like a ranking in military and such. Then nobody gets jelous because they have their place and there is no need to fight for position.

[borzoimom]

thank you tft- I have never had a fight in this method- they alllllll know who is what to whom..

[critter crazy]

I agree with Borzoimom! Yes the human is always the top dog, but there is still a heirarchy to the dogs! They have to have order just like we do. no matter how delusioned you are dogs always have a heirarchy, there is always a top dog! One will always be at the top of the order. It is the way they are, going back to the wolves. There is no getting around this, it is instinct.

[borzoimom]

I agree with Borzoimom! Yes the human is always the top dog, but there is still a heirarchy to the dogs! They have to have order just like we do. no matter how delusioned you are dogs always have a heirarchy, there is always a top dog! One will always be at the top of the order. It is the way they are, going back to the wolves. There is no getting around this, it is instinct.
Yes ma'am there is- and if you let the pack mentality of who is who take over but we are the top dog, you never have fights. I never did- and I let their natural nature of what their place is be the opperating factor. There is no way in the world you could control 35 dogs or even 4 if this was not in place. Each dog loves their place in order- its their place and they know it...
Now Zubin is under hottie out of age, but he is intact. But he knows- hottie is boss ( after me of course) and has NEVER challeneged Hottie because of this. Hottie, at his age and medical situation could never fight back- but no need for that worry- it was set- Hottie is boss. I let the pack mentality of who is where and in what order do most of the work. That is how I got 35 dogs to live in unison- seperated only at eating time and bed time for sleep..

[critter crazy]

It was the same way with my horses! Cocoa was top mare cause she was here first! Zoey came next, but she was so young(8 months) that when Alkris an older mare came she took second, which left Zoey at third. They knew their order, and we never had any problems. I was top mare, but they still had their own order. It is nature. It si what keeps them happy. Without order there is chaos!

[borzoimom]

It was the same way with my horses! Cocoa was top mare cause she was here first! Zoey came next, but she was so young(8 months) that when Alkris an older mare came she took second, which left Zoey at third. They knew their order, and we never had any problems. I was top mare, but they still had their own order. It is nature. It si what keeps them happy. Without order there is chaos!
EXACTLY!!! Very good.. !!!

[sumbirdy]

It's important to dogs to have their place in a the pack. It gives them comfort and security and lets them know just where they belong. All my dogs have an order in the pack. They make the order. When a new dog comes in they decide where he or she should be in the pack. I don't know the exact order they are but I know that Lacy is the top dog over all of them (even though she is the smallest dog I have).

[bluebird]

YUP!! :D Everyone of them!! lol.. You should have seen my house at the time.. lol.. The dinning room/living room and family room had wall to wall crates- they all had their group. I got at 5am and started routines .. lol.. It can be done but takes serious committment to do so. My day ended at 10pm.. Then start again.. whew- these days seem like a total blur! Most could have a operating groups. I did have 3 I had to keep seperated though. But during the day they were just one big group unless I had a female in season or a retired police dog until he learned how to handle a group again. I actually remember it fondly= busy- but fondly.. ( just too old for that obviously- ) The yard was 5 acres fenced but had like 3 yards with gates to let the groups out.. Everyone knew which door was theres. .. I will see if I can load some pictures. You seem to be more receptive..

The concept is absolutely fascinating and mind blowing all at the same time. Were they all just pets or was there another reason for having so many dogs, such as rescue work etc?

[borzoimom]

It's important to dogs to have their place in a the pack. It gives them comfort and security and lets them know just where they belong. All my dogs have an order in the pack. They make the order. When a new dog comes in they decide where he or she should be in the pack. I don't know the exact order they are but I know that Lacy is the top dog over all of them (even though she is the smallest dog I have).
Amen- they like their place- it does give security and they seem to enjoy like " ohhhhhhhhhhh boy- I am number 5... everybody congo..." lol..

[bellamia_525]

Thanks borzoimom, actually it does help acknowledging her first. I come home and pay attention to her first and by the time I go to him, she's not so upset. And this morning I was sooooo happy :) because she was actually playing with him like I hoped she would. It doesn't happen too often yet, but shes getting there. So thanks again for the info and as soon as I get pics I will put them up. Thanks again.

[borzoimom]

Thanks borzoimom, actually it does help acknowledging her first. I come home and pay attention to her first and by the time I go to him, she's not so upset. And this morning I was sooooo happy :) because she was actually playing with him like I hoped she would. It doesn't happen too often yet, but shes getting there. So thanks again for the info and as soon as I get pics I will put them up. Thanks again.
that is how it works- the proof is in the pudding.. I am glad things are better. This is the method I used for years and it works. It may not make sense to us but it does to them. All new comers would be at the bottom of the pack. They accept that ... Good luck. I am here if you need anymore help..
BTW- got any pics????

[borzoimom]

opps - sorry- you said the pics were coming.. Looking forward to seeing them.. !!! Take care.

[Jakesmom]

I'm curious, what do you do if the first dog is totally "beta"? Jake, the golden, was 8 years old when we got Sophie, the ECS. Jake was an only dog for from puppyhood until he was 2, then we had a wheaton terrier for about 5 years and he died at age 13. Sophie, the English Cocker, LOVES her big brother, and he sort of tolerates her. She pesters him, tries to get him to play, licks his ears constantly, etc, and rarely he lets out a small growl, which stops her for about 30 seconds.

I can't figure out which one is alpha?--I think its Jake, as Sophie does listen to him, if only briefly, and he certainly never changes his behavior because of her, but what do you do if you have an easy going first dog and an exuberant and/or "alpha" newcomer?

Jakesmom