My sister's dogs...

[Doglover1988]

My sister has 3 dogs which I am going to bring to my house for 1 1/2 weeks while she and her family go on vacation. Well the problem is with introductions. She has a female Lab, a male jack russel mix, and a female chihuahua.
Gracie gets along with all three
Maggie gets along with the male jack russel and the female chihuahua
Lucy has only met Pixie the Chihuahua since Pixie has stayed with me several times while my sister was on vacation and she has gotten along with every dog i've introduced her to

The problem is Maggie And Chloe the Lab HATE each other. All introductions no matter how slow have ended in an almost fight. I of course don't let them fight since Chloe is like 5 times her size. What is the best way to introduce dogs? I am also somewhat worried about introducing Chloe to Lucy. I am planning on keeping my sister's dogs in my large outdoor kennel for the week but want them to be able to come inside and visit with my dogs and the family during the day. I'm guessing I will have to keep Chloe and Maggie seperated the entire time wont I? I'm thinking though since Chloe has never been to my house she will be less hostile there since it is strange territory for her. The only time Maggie doesn't get along with other dogs is when they growl or hassle her so she shouldn't be the problem.

My sister doesn't go to Florida until the beginning of June but i'm thinking ahead of time since she just asked me today. Boarding fees are just soo expensive.

[Rivsky]

Is it possible for you to start walking the dogs together on lead - ie you with Maggie and your sister with Chloe?

This worked wonders for my sister when introducing her second adult dog to her usually reactive dog so hopefully it'd help them learn to do something together without risking a fight as they'd still be a little separated - plus walking is something most dogs enjoy so it's giving them each a positive association with the other dog being around.

I'm sure there's many other suggestions but this would probably be my starting point if I was in that situation.

[Ritz459]

Walk them together - it helps a ton. Don't let them get up close and personal, have them keep their distance, but just have them walk together. It helps if you have some helping hands that can each have a dog (or a group of dogs that get along okay).

I was able to get Blackie and Rose to tolorate a little Border Collie puppy last night in about thirty minutes. They can't be off leash around each other, but they can be kenneled adjacently with no problem.
Introduce one dog at a time, not all at once. Blackie and Rose are much more reactive towards other dogs when they have one another to back each other up. If your dogs are very responsive to commands, so much the better. I personally wouldn't tolorate any aggressive growling and last night I did more than a couple of body blocks to break off intense eye contact and what could have been the start of a fight.

I'd keep Maggie and Chloe sperated just to be safe - maybe if both are leashed and they are acting okay they can be around, but I wouldn't let them run loose without something sperating them.

The easiest thing is pervention. It is easier to stop two dogs staring at each other than it is to stop to dogs lunging and growling at each other.

[Doglover1988]

Thanks for all the suggestions! It really reminds me of the day that I brought Maggie home and her and Gracie couldn't even be in the same room together. As soon as my Nana (the person who used to own her) brought her through the door Maggie jumped on Gracie and they faught, the next day I took Maggie to school with me (vet tech class) just because my mom was scared of trying to keep them apart. Now they are inseperable and give each other kisses. It might take some time but I think I might be able to get them to tolerate each other. Every time we tried introductions it was at my sister's house on Chloe's property. It might be different here. Chloe is a very sweet goofy girl who gets along with my sister's other 2 dogs just fine and after a few growlies her and Gracie were playing together a few months ago. When the time comes it is going to be alot of girlies at my house and only one little boy. It will also be very interesting to see what it is like to have 6 dogs. I have never had more than 4 at a time.

[Faol]

Originally Posted by Rivsky

Is it possible for you to start walking the dogs together on lead - ie you with Maggie and your sister with Chloe?

This worked wonders for my sister when introducing her second adult dog to her usually reactive dog so hopefully it'd help them learn to do something together without risking a fight as they'd still be a little separated - plus walking is something most dogs enjoy so it's giving them each a positive association with the other dog being around.

I'm sure there's many other suggestions but this would probably be my starting point if I was in that situation.

We had Zoe first, so when we got Bear there were definitely jealousy problems. But we did the same thing, we walked them together and now they are best buddies. We are doing the same now with Ailchu and Zoe - walking them together, and I definitely see improvements in their behavior.

[dogs4life]

Originally Posted by Doglover1988

It might take some time but I think I might be able to get them to tolerate each other. Every time we tried introductions it was at my sister's house on Chloe's property. It might be different here. Chloe is a very sweet goofy girl who gets along with my sister's other 2 dogs just fine and after a few growlies her and Gracie were playing together a few months ago. When the time comes it is going to be alot of girlies at my house and only one little boy. It will also be very interesting to see what it is like to have 6 dogs. I have never had more than 4 at a time.

I guess it depends how severe the fights are...have they drawn blood, how many dogs fight at once, do other dogs join in?

When I first met Jeff, our dogs would fight constantly, it was very scary Montana did not tolerate my dog Mayce (Rottie x Lab) and would pick fights with her often. I walked them together BUT not everyone in the house walked them together, so when Jeff was present there were more fights and scuffles than if it was just me and the dogs. So my point is, their behavior might not be the same for every person in the house and may be helpful if everyone works with the dogs, including if possible.

What helped me keep the peace was taking all objects that were guarded away, before the dogs were allowed to eat they had to sit-stay, while eating they were monitored for posturing and lots of exercise, running for Montana and Run/walks for Mayce.

Since you have them for only a week and a half, "crate and rotate" might work for the offenders....just a thought.

[Ritz459]

Since you have them for only a week and a half, "crate and rotate" might work for the offenders....just a thought.

I call that approach "musical doggies". lol