Dog behavior changed with addition of new dog to the family

Hello everyone,

This is my first post here, and I am writing with questions about my dog's behavior. My dog is a 6 year old akita/chow mix, Rocco, that I've had since he was 2 months old. He is generally well-behaved and obedient, but that seems to have changed recently. On friday (8/4/06) my wife and I added a 10-week old Boston Terrier pup to our family. Since then, Rocco has been very avoidant of the new pup and has not been listening when called. He has been going into the basement when the puppy is upstairs or staying in the backyard to avoid contact with the puppy.

To remedy this, I placed the puppy in his crate and confined Rocco to the same room, hoping to desensitize Rocco to the puppy's presence. My wife just called me and said that she went into the basement to get something and Rocco will not come back upstairs.

Will this issue resolve itself on its own? Rocco, being an akita/chow mix, has been known to be aggressive but that is controlled with clearly established dominance by myself and my wife. I am concerned because his unwillingness to listen to us may be his attempt to establish dominance.

Any ideas?

Gino

Is Rocco Nuetered or is he still intact? With two males in the house, Normally you WILL have a altercation or two for one to develop as the Alpha of the dog pack. You as the master will still be the dominent one but Rocco maybe resenting due to he feels he is the alph of the animals and does see you pay more attention to the pup. He will come around when he's ready. They are just like kids. They pout too. lol:)

Rocco is unneutered, but I plan on neutering the pup ASAP. I guess I will have to wait it out a bit, but I think I might do some obedience training with rocco to confirm my dominance, as well as putting him on a tighter schedule of walking/feeding.

This may also help the younger dog, Hank.

Gino

welcome to the board. There are some folks here who really can tell tou how to introduce the 2 dogs togeather . To use a bad point, but how would your wife act if suddenly you walked in and said here is my new wife we are all going to live here to geather. Same type of thing Rocco has always had you alone now you want him to accept this new comer as if nothing has changed . He doesn't see it that way.
As I said there are some who can explain how to introduce them so it'a non threaten to Him.

I would definately set up more exercise, training and obedience for both dogs, even the puppy ;) You may want to keep the pup in his own area for a few days. Dogs don't need as much attention as some of think they do. Puppy can be in a seperate room and Rocco can check him out at his leisure. Gradually, you can give puppy more reign of the house. Crate time for both dogs is good. There is no reason Rocca couldn't be crated for some down time while you and your wife play with the puppy.

Just for curiosity sake, you say Rocco has a tendency to be dog aggressive? Is there some reason you are keeping him intact?

Welcome to Pet Talk, Killerpony!!!! (shakes your hand :)

I'm Dorothy39 ( Wizard of Oz, 1939) ;)

I would enjoy seeing pictures of your Rocco later on. Sorry that you and your wife are having a social issue between Rocco and Hank (cute name).

Perhaps your wife can tend to Hank , while you take Rocco for more walks and adjust their feeding stations, schedules and their diet.

Same thing happens when you come home with the second baby!! Believe it or not, those two will become good friends some day.


There are so many wonderful people registered here who can offer expert advice on this subject. I just wanted to introduce myself ,(courtsey) and welcome you .

Aurie,

Thanks for the advice. I am keeping Rocco intact primarily because I heard that at this age neutering will have limited impact on his behavior. When I mentioned aggression, I meant that he has been aggressive with strangers (people) and small animals, but not other dogs. He has never bitten anyone, as his aggression flares primarily when he feels protective or when there is a stranger in the home, never outside the home.

He generally behaves in an aloof manner with other dogs, paying little/no attention to them. He is very akita-like in that way.

Dorothy39,
Thanks for the welcome!

I am taking note of all the suggestions and I believe I will begin a more rigid schedule of training/exercise for both dogs. My wife will also have to be involved.

Gino

Neutering will still have an effect at any age. It may not be as big as an effect as when done as a puppy, but there will still be a reduction in typical intact behavior (either male or female). Also, neutering has the benefit of completely eliminating any chance of testicular or prostate cancer. Good luck! It sounds like you really have the best interest in your pets at heart. Thus why I added the extra information :)

Our dog is 6 years old too and we just got a puppy in Feb of this year. He wasnt' sure at first either. Our puppy was full of it, so we would crate her for awhile each day to give Winchester a break from her. They are buddies now. Just give them some time to get use to each other and keep up the training for both of them! :)

Akitas are generally loners and can be quite stand-offish. They usually do not bark unless there is a good reason. They are silent hunters who hunt low to the ground without growls or noise, similar to cats, and unfortuneately a small dog can be initially considered prey.The same is true for cats, rodents, birds, and small wildlife. In is likely that your Hank is confused. Seeing that you like and play with what might otherwise be he prey, he has chosen to avoid the intruder - in hopes that maybe "he will just go away".

Akitas can be raised to accept animals in residence, but it will be a bit harder introducing a new member into an adult's domain. It is, however, imperative that the Akita be closely watched around the other animals until you have established a peaceful co-existence.I would "NOT" put them in the same crate until you have "seen" some bonding beginning. Otherwise, you may be asking for trouble - and by the time you may be able to "re-open" your crate and intervene, you may end up being very sorry.

Male Akitas show aggression toward other male dogs, and female Akitas usually will not tolerate another female. Akitas can live peacefully with a dog of the opposite sex, though some Akitas prefer being an only dog! That said, with the proper attentiveness and persistence, Males can learn to tolerate and coexist with another guy, but usually will not ever be "best buds".

Akitas are also VERY food possessive. You will want to be certain the Hank keeps his "own food bowl or treats/toys" and that the new guy "gets his own". When feeding, keep the new guy away from Hank until all of "his food" is gone... and then feed the youngster.

When giving treats (especially if Hank has learned any tricks for his treats). Call them to you together - but keep pup away from Hank - even if you have separate them with hands/forearm. Ask for a trick and give Hank his treat first - and right away. DON"T make "him" have to work very hard. Make the pup earn his and always gets seconds.

Good luck.

I also have an Akita/Shep/?? Mix, who is the exact same way when we bring home a new addition. He will let you know he isn't happy for the first couple weeks, but after a while he gets used to it, and seems to enjoy the others company. He dosen't much like to deal with puppy antics, and once the puppy matures he has no problem. He will avoid a puppy at all costs. :rolleyes: I have more of a hands-off approach, I let them figure out their social status. He will put the puppy in its place if need be. However that does not go for all dogs, figure out what works for you. :D

thanks for all the great advice.

Bobs Dad;
The way you described akita behavior is exactly the way rocco is. However, he has not displayed any predatory behavior to the pup, Hank. I will consider neutering for the older dog, as well, in an attempt to stop aggression before it happens.

As far as crating is concerned, only the pup is in a crate. Rocco can go pretty much anywhere in the house (not on the furniture). After doing some research yesterday, I decided my best bet was to work with each dog individually and assert my own dominance. I have created a schedule of feeding and walking that I will adhere to strongly. Also, with Rocco (the older dog) I have been doing some exercise and "alone time" which includes obedience and play.

This has already had a big effect. Rocco has been able to stay in the same room as Hank and is not as skittish around the pup. I think that creating clear boundaries has helped him to understand his role in our "pack" and he has been happier for it. My wife is also doing the same routine and has been spending time with Rocco and Hank separately.

Thanks again!

Gino

As soon as you can, I would also start walking them together. dogs that walk together will consider themselves part of the pack. make sure they walk by your side and not in front of you. Assert your dominance over both should help to. We have introduced a puppy to our Jack Russell and he was very put out for a while. now they are friends though they still fight over the same toys. yeah, they are just like kids aren't they?

Dee