barking puppy and new dog...????

does anyone have any suggestions as to how we can calm Merlin down more readliy when he sees Jean Luc,, our most probable adoptee doberman boy? He is a bit of a barker too as he is upset with is current situation and all,, but at least he settles quicker!!! They are very noisy when they see each other,, so far,, with a fence between them. there was a spot in the fence where if they wanted to bite,, they could have,, but instead,, turned thier heads to the side and barked with teeth showing a bit> I am under the impression that is actually a sign on submission? Merlin is still very much a baby,, he is only 6 1/2 months old and JL is 1 yr and a few moths. At first,, thier hairs onn thierbacks were raised,, but they both went down despite the loud barking and show of teeth,,,,

any hints or ideas or reassurances is appreciated,, and NEEDED!!!!!!!!

Hi Lorraine

Just my opinion and from my experiences bringing together another dog with existing dogs.....go to a parking lot with no fences between the dogs. Let them be withoin about 15 feet of each other and on leads. As you and the dogs settle down and you're dogs see that the new one isn't going to hurt you get a little closer, if they act up, then draw back again for a bit, keep doing this until you, you're dogs and the new dog can be close enough to sniff, be ready to pull back in case they get a little agressive, keep doing this till they are comfortable with each other. it took me about 30 minutes in the summer to introduce a 3rd rotti to my 2 in the parking lot, then we all met at my house and went through all the same procedures again until they could be off lead and sniffing, one will try to show dominence, hopefully only one!:rolleyes:

thanks,, I want to have the dogs be together with no fence too this time,, I hope his foster mommy goes for it this time..... I am more concerned once we get home with them all.....

I hope that the foster mom is going to follow you home with the new dog in her vehicle, that's the safest and best way to do it. Once home you will likely have to let them get used to each other again just like in the parking lot before you bring them in the house.

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I am more concerned once we get home with them all

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If you're dogs sence you are nervous it won't help with the situation as they will pick up a scent from you and think you are affraid of the new dog which might make them react to it in a bad way. Try to be calm and relaxed.....I know it's easier said than done but if you don't things will be harder.:rolleyes: hehe back atcha. From the email!

oh I know they can pick up on nerves,, yes,, I save all my nerves for now,, not later,, :D :D I was vey relaxed when I met JL,, and he is a big tall boy,,, anyone who was in close proxmitiy when they growl and rumble at you would be nervous,, but for some reason,, I wasnt,,, and no fence between us then!!!
:D :D

Neutral territory is very important here. I wouldn't introduce them without a barrier at either your home or the foster home. They need to meet in a place that neither of them feels protective about. it should eliminate any territorial issues. They should both be kept on leash with the leash held by someone they trust.

Stay calm. If you appear nervous or raise your voice, Merlin will assume that he should be upset about this new dog and bark more. "If Mom's upset, I need to protect her!"

Treats, lots of treats. If Merlin is quiet for a split second, he gets a good doggie and some high value treat--something he loves and doesn't normally get alot of. I use strong cheddar cheese for most of mine. They get other treats at different times, but nothing gets their attention like stinky cheese so I use it when they need to learn something new.

When Jean-Luc comes home, make sure that all the dogs have a safe, special place just for them---a bed, a crate, something where no one else can bug them and where they can take a special toy or treasure and not worry about it getting stolen.

Raised hackles dont neccessarily mean aggression, they could just mean the dog is a little freaked out. Watch all their body language--what's his tail doing? A relaxed happy wag or sticking out behind him and wagging? Turning his head away is a good sign. Dogs don't make direct eye contact very often, unless they mean business.

Since it looks like you are going to be a multi-dog household soon, I'd recommend checking out a couple little booklets both by Patricia McConnell--one is called "How to be Leader of the Pack and have your dog love you for it" . The other is "Feeling Outnumbered, How to manage and enjoy your multi-dog household." I love them both!

Good luck, Have fun.

PS: they are both neutered right? That will help reduce problems too, especially as Merlin matures.

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Originally posted by Glacier
Neutral territory is very important here. I wouldn't introduce them without a barrier at either your home or the foster home. They need to meet in a place that neither of them feels protective about. it should eliminate any territorial issues. They should both be kept on leash with the leash held by someone they trust.

THATS WHAT I THOUGHT TOO BUT HIS FOSTER MOM WAS WANTING TO DO THE FENCE THING..... PERSONALLY I THINK IT KINDA SETS THE DOGS UP TO BE MORE DEFENSIVE.... I WILL PUSH FOR A ONE ON MEETING WITH NO FENCES,, I THINK IT WOULD DEFINATELY GO MUCH BETTER!!

Stay calm. If you appear nervous or raise your voice, Merlin will assume that he should be upset about this new dog and bark more. "If Mom's upset, I need to protect her!"

OH I DO REMAIN CALM,, I UNDERSTAND THAT THEY PICK UP ON OUR EMOTIONS,,,


Treats, lots of treats. If Merlin is quiet for a split second, he gets a good doggie and some high value treat--something he loves and doesn't normally get alot of. I use strong cheddar cheese for most of mine. They get other treats at different times, but nothing gets their attention like stinky cheese so I use it when they need to learn something new.

I HAVE TO LAUGH,, I HAD BROUGHT OLD WHITE CHEDDAR CHEESE FOR THE DOGS AND BOY,,, DID IT GEWT THIER ATTENTION,,, THE BARKING STOPPED RIGHT AWAY,, I HAD FORGOTTEN THEM IN THE CAR AND REMEMBERED AFTER THEY HAD BEEN BARKING OFF AND ON FOR 30 MINS,,, THE SILENCE WAS WONDERFUL

When Jean-Luc comes home, make sure that all the dogs have a safe, special place just for them---a bed, a crate, something where no one else can bug them and where they can take a special toy or treasure and not worry about it getting stolen.

THATS A GOOD PLAN,,, WHEN WE MET HIM ON SUNDAY,, I LEFT HIM A RED APPLE SHAPED KONG TOY TO PLAY WITH,, HE DIDNT HAVE ONE OF HIS OWN,,,, I ALSO LEFT A TOWEL WITH MY PERFUME AND MICHELS AFTERSAHVE ON IT FOR HIM TO SLEEP WITH,, SORT OF TO REMIND HIM OF US AND HOPEFULLY HE WILL MAKE THE CONNECTION WHEN WE SEE HIM AGAIN WEARING THE SAME SCENT...

Raised hackles dont neccessarily mean aggression, they could just mean the dog is a little freaked out. Watch all their body language--what's his tail doing? A relaxed happy wag or sticking out behind him and wagging? Turning his head away is a good sign. Dogs don't make direct eye contact very often, unless they mean business.

BOTH TAILS WERE WAGGING FOR THE MOST PART,, WHEN THEY WERNT WAGGING,, AND ITS HARD TO TELL WITH jEAN lUC AS HIS TAIL WAS DOCKED PRETTY SHORT,, IT WAS SORT OF STRAIGHT OUT AT TIMES...

Since it looks like you are going to be a multi-dog household soon, I'd recommend checking out a couple little booklets both by Patricia McConnell--one is called "How to be Leader of the Pack and have your dog love you for it" . The other is "Feeling Outnumbered, How to manage and enjoy your multi-dog household." I love them both!

I WILL LOOK FOR THESE BOOKS RIGHT AWAY...I WONDER IF CHAPTERS WILL HAVE THEM?? HMMMMM

Good luck, Have fun.

PS: they are both neutered right? That will help reduce problems too, especially as Merlin matures.

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:D :D

YES,, BOTH BOYS ARE NEUTERED,, WOULDNT HAVE IT ANY OTHER WAY!!! I AM ALSO HOPING SEEINGHOWMMERLIN IS SO YOUNG THAT HE WONT THINK JL IS A THREAT OR THE OTHER WAY AROUND!!!

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!