New Dog-Old Dog Help Needed

[beagleamy]

We recently rescued a second beagle. We have had a neutered male beagle for a little over a year that is 1 year, 3 mos old. He is very energetic, loves to play, eat and 'wrestle' with other dogs.

We found our new dog at a shelter and she was so sweet we knew we couldn't leave her there. She is 5 years old and was pregnant when they found her as a stray. She has since been spayed.

When we first picked her up, she seemed fine with our current dog and he is very friendly and has been fine with her. She is low-key, but seemed to be perky.

Now that she's been home for a while I am a little more concerned. She is a great snuggler and seems to sleep ALL the time. She has growled at our other dog several times when he has come up to her (mostly when he wakes her up) but has not tried to bite or anything. She also avoids him when he tries to come up and say hi or walk with her outside.

She still has her stitches so I know she is probably a little sore and cranky but I am not sure if I should be concerned by her disinterest and/or growling at our original dog. We got a second because beagles are pack dogs (so he would have a companion in some ways) but also so we could have another dog companion (we love them!). I really want to stick this out and see it through but I am not sure how long it takes for dogs to 'gel' with each other and what to be concerned about. We just love them both so much and want them to enjoy each other and our home.

Any suggestions/help welcome.

[lizbud]

Gosh, I really wish I knew a little more about her background.
I realize that's not always possible with a 5yr old dog. My only
experience with adopting a second dog was with introducing a
4 mo old pup to a 2 1/2 yr old resident dog which I think is a lot
easier. At least for me. I do hope someone here has some ideas
for you to try. I wish you the very best with this.:)

[MaryJae]

She's probably still getting used to her surroundings. Some dogs get used to it with a snap of a finger, but it takes time for some dogs. I'm guessing she thinks she's the dominant dog now? How is your other Beagle acting? Try to do everything with your other Beagle first and then with her second so she'll realize that he's the dominant one. For example, if you're giving them treats, give your other Beagle a treat first and then give her one.

I could be wrong, but I'd just give it a little bit more time. Congrats on your new addition! I love Beagles too! :D

[bckrazy]

Its VERY cool that you rescued her :)! Its completely normal for dogs to growl at eachother, it would actually be somewhat wierd if they didn't growl at all. Its just a vocalization, a lot of dogs even growl when they play, and its usually a warning - it is MUCH better to have a dog that will growl, as if to say "leave me alone. .", than a dog that will snap and snarl immediately when angered. You should try crate training her, and your male Beagle. That way, they'll each have their own crates, like safe havens to sleep and hang out in away from each other. I would not totally worry about the growling. . its like a middle-aged person scolds a teenager, she's probably just telling him to chill out. You SHOULD start worrying if she injures him, but they might go after each other a few times while they're testing one another - as long as there's little or no bloodshed, scuffles are pretty much normal especially with an older dog and a younger dog.

It actually sounds like the female is more dominant. . . which is the usual. Personally, I would allow the female to be the "alpha" of the two, since she IS older and she IS a woman ;). . going through Obedience classes with her and training her on a daily basis will also establish that the people are the "alpha's" of the house, and they both need to follow your rules.

[ginagt]

My parents have an 8 year old beagle and they just got a new ( now 7 month old beagle puppy) the puppy has been around since it was 8 weeks old. Molly (8yr old) tolerates the puppy, she growls when the puppy gets to close which is a normal thing. Beagles are pack dogs but I think that is from when the are young, you are your beagles pack and it will take a while for a new member to be allowed in( or in your case for the newest member to want to be in the pack). Beagles sleep a lot in general, so I would not be worried about that. Give them time they will adjust to one another, they may never become best friends but they will hopefully learn to tolerate and be friends.

[beagleamy]

Thanks! It also turns out our new beagle Emma has a really bad upper respiratory infection which may explain so fussiness too. In terms of her manners, she actually knows how to walk on a leash and is house-trained, so we are very lucky!

I think they are coming around. Since she can't get her spaying stitches out we can't let them play too much but they were too funny playing 'bite face' (where they have their mouths open and are playing with each other--looks like biting without the chomping down) in our backyard. I just feel bad for being so worried about the growling when I should have been worrying about the poor thing being sick!

[lizbud]

Thanks for the update on your two dogs. I had wondered how
this was going for you.I'm glad you found the medical problem
quickly.Poor girl. :(

My two dogs also love playing the "bite face" game.:D It's very
funny to watch.

[beagleamy]

Emma (the new dog) is doing really well and she is much spunkier now that she has been on meds for a week. The other day I actually thought the two had switched personalities--Pasquale our younger dog we've had for a year is usually very energetic and 'crazy', playing all the time while Emma just slept constantly. On Monday, Emma was running around everywhere playing with toys for the first time since we adopted her and Pasquale was sleeping the entire afternoon on the couch. It was like Freaky Friday!

They are too fun and so cute together!

[beagleamy]

Here's a picture. Emma is on L, Pasquale is on R. They are some crazy kids;)