Can you physically separate? Gate, crates, rotate outside time?
1 Like
Oof, that’s tough.
Be safe.
Separate immediately. Please keep the terrier safe. If you can’t give them your full attention, and keep yourself safe, it might be better to rehome the new dog.
5 Likes
For a terrier to show its belly? Your terrier is scared.
If the dog keeps coming after the terrier has shown submission, something bad could happen.
You need to separate the dogs and keep them separate; if you can’t do that more or less forever, you may need to rehome the new dog.
8 Likes
No. It would not look like that at all. She would be bowing, flirting, etc. - there would be no other way to describe it. Not all males would respond but it wouldn’t look aggressive and they would not roll over defensively.
Three dogs makes a pack, so yes I think you have reason to be concerned about your terrier. I would probably separate them as well.
7 Likes
And yet…I came in the house to see them communing.
She does bow to invite play. He seems annoyed with it. I will keep them separated and see how it goes. She really is a lovely dog.
If that’s a bone or a treat or some lovely toy on the floor between them. Please please please be careful. Resource guarding can be really dangerous.
And honestly no way would I ever leave a new dog with an established big dog alone loose with a smaller terrier. Too many stories of coming home to carnage. Even from the long time dog with the new dynamic. Crates and gates are your friends.
12 Likes
Please separate them.
4 Likes
Sometimes you have to rehome for the safety of all. Just know that if you have to do that, it’s ok. I did it when my younger, newer dog attacked my older dog after ten months of living together. I know it was the right decision, even though I loved the younger dog.
It is a bone. I was on the patio to water the plants. I came in and they were laying together with a high prize item between them.
I’m not in denial. She is a lovely dog. She has not raised her hackles. It seems that she is annoying him inviting play that he’s not interested in.
She is in her cage when I am not within earshot 100%. I don’t leave the house with her at large.
I have contacted her foster to let them know that she may not be able to stay.
3 Likes
Being within earshot makes it so you can hear the attack begin. It’s really difficult and dangerous to break up a dog fight.
I’m so sorry it’s not working out.
5 Likes
As you navigate next steps it would likely be helpful to remove anything that’s considered high value - food, toys, bones when not being immediately supervised and separated.
Even two dogs not being “bad” or “mean” can have a misunderstanding that escalates quickly.
5 Likes
No malice intended. I’ve just been there done that with found dogs. The dynamic can change within the blink of an eye. And it takes about 3 seconds for things to go really really bad. Especially with a Power/size differential. Happened to me 7 years ago with a PB and my little Jack terrier mix. $7000 later and an abdomial surgery later(80 lb dog picking up a 12 pound dog like a sausage) I still have them all. But the aggressor is NEVER with my old little lady. Never. I fortunately had enough land and house space to make everyone safe.
And PS. The big PB had been in the home and fine for 2 years. Resource guarding is REAL.
3 Likes
Yeah, I have put some rehoming feelers out there and contacted her foster to let her know that there is a concern.
6 Likes
Good for you, the situation demands the new dog is rehomed as a first best solution.
Why?
While each situation is it’s own, every owner has the last decision to make, in the best interest of all, most times letting one dog go is best,
Why, again?
It is not fair to your pets to have to live under the stress of others in their space they don’t like, for the aggressor and the victim.
Both don’t have the quality of life we all strive for, that is lacking there, for both.
We can leave if we don’t like someone, in the wild an animal can leave and find new stomping grounds.
Domestic animals can’t, are confined to where we put them, can’t escape their stressful situation, be it dogs, cats or horses.
Humans manage their domestic animals.
Part of it is to care for them in a safe manner, with the less stress possible.
In these cases, letting a dog go to a new situation just seems best for peace for all.
A friend rescued two half grown puppies someone abandoned by the road.
They grew up together and were getting along fabulously, until maturity finished around two and then the posturing and eventually serious fights demanded they were kept apart.
Friend had two fenced yards, one in front, one in the back and kept dogs separated and gave one or the other house rights also separately.
Over the years he tried under strict supervision to let them in together, when very cold or hot, but it was clearly not going to work, they could not wait to fight.
Eventually dogs were so old, they could keep them inside when necessary in crates without them growling and uneasy.
Finally one died, then they all, human and dog, could enjoy living together without the stress of a sworn enemy.
After last dog passed on, they don’t want another dog, still shudder about not having made the right decision when troubles started.
Looking back, ensuing years were a nightmare, just glad no one was killed.
7 Likes
I have contacted her foster mom and posted on FB saying she needs a new gig. It’s not a good situation for my terrier.
I even spoke with a dog training podcaster (A Dog’s Way) and he agreed that it’s just not a good fit.
10 Likes
That’s a bummer but kudos to you for doing the right thing!
1 Like
Yeah, when you post on COTH and not a single person says it could work…ya kinda have your answer right there.
8 Likes
It’s clear that you are a kind soul. It’s not easy to acknowledge when it’s not a good fit, so I really respect what you’re doing.
2 Likes
Sorry it didn’t work out. She’s very pretty, I’m sure you’ll find her a great new place.
1 Like
