Will Kelsey ever get used to Kimber ?

Brittany · 11-03-2009, 10:39 AM

We have had Kimber for two weeks and Kelsey still seems to be irritable with her. She doesn't like play with Kimber and is still territorial. I don't usually mind but a few minutes ago Kimber was playing with a ball the rolled over to where Kelsey was sleeping and when Kimber went to get it Kelsey gave her Kujo growl. Kelsey mostly ignores Kimber but Kimber wants to play and she won't which I understand but I don't want her being so territorial and grouchy. What if anything should I do?

Mikey · 11-03-2009, 11:06 AM

My memory is good, but it's short

How old is Kelsey? I'm thinking with an older dog, a puppy is really irritating.

That being said, Mikey is only two, and seriously feels it's his responsibility to beat up every pup at the dog park and show 'em manners. If he's growling 10 times out of 10 it's at a pup, and he's snarking at them.

So I guess what I'm asking:

Is Kelsey old enough that puppy antics are just plain tiring her out, and she's growling to tell puppy to find something else to do and leave grandma alone?

Is she growling to teach pup manners (ie. she's telling pup that is not appropriate behavior-even mom's growl at pups

)

Is she growling because she seems to want nothing to do with the pup?

And is it posssible she's jealous at all?

Brittany · 11-03-2009, 11:12 AM

Kelsey is 8 YEARS old and Kimber is 8 MONTHS old LOL so yes it is possible she just doesn't want to play. I understand that she is probably trying to teach Kimber some manners (he certainly needs it LoL) He jumps around and has a lot of energy and she mostly sleeps. It just gets tiring on me LoL to have Kelsey growling at Kimber all the time. Plus she is so irritable sometimes I think she wants to play but I can never tell if she is playing or fighting.

But this morning Kimber was just trying to get his ball that rolled near her and she growled...

Mikey · 11-03-2009, 11:16 AM

AHHHH I thought my 'leaky seive memory' was tingling about age there

Ok-it's VERY possible the pup is way too high energy for her and annoying the crud out of her

Even cute pups annoy us sometimes right? And we can shut a door to get away from them

I'd GUESS it's a combo-

she may be annoyed and tired of pup (so in this case, try to give her some down time, like put her to bed where the pup can't bother her) due to her age.

She is likely bossing pup around, playing mom

This is fine, and actually good for pup. But watch for signs she's really FED UP with pup so you don't have an incident. For instance, low growling at a pup to warn -fine. That crazy eyed ongoing growling-that basically says "I have no choice but to rip you apart if you don't stop that right now" that's the end of her rope, and watch for it.

Also she could be a little jealous

Hard not to pour over a cute pup

Try to give her individual attention like you used to. Have visitors ignore the pup and greet her first-make a big fuss, give a cookie; then play with the pup

**fawkese1** · 11-03-2009, 03:54 PM

mikey's advice is good, make sure that you are still giving kelsey attention, and she is most likely just annoyed and telling him that she doesn't want to play...

you really want kimber to learn patience...try this
http://www.youtube.com/user/RallyJud...30/WrRrp1QYYqA

hopefully this is a link of how to train "leave it" or "it's your choice" (can't double check right now cuz i'm at work, but let me know if it's wrong and i'll find it for you)

once he is good at it, you can try doing treat sessions with he and kelsey, i do this with my dog and my cats. i ask all 4 of them to line up and sit patiently while if give a treat to each in turn...it helps them all to associate good things with each other and being patient for food and treats....

otherwise, i would try to tire excited little kimber out just a bit whenever he is pestering kelsey...maybe give him an extra play session during her nap time...maybe some high speed fetch or a game of tug...

during training sessions with kimber, you can "include" kelsey by asking her to sit/lay patiently and tossing her a treat or two...

try not to correct her for telling kimber off as she will only associate being corrected with kimber...just distract kimber from bugging her, after all, she has earned some peace and quiet, and doesn't need this little upstart disrupting that...but it is good for her to learn that kimber isn't so bad, and that kimber= some yummy treats from time to time...

**Criosphynx** · 11-03-2009, 08:20 PM

hahha....Tippy HATED Chili...so I sat them down and started hand feeding them together over a weeks time ....then having them eat closer and closer together....then they had to be touching to get the click/treat...did that for a while.

I built this up SLOWLY to me rubbing them together like scrubby sponges...click.treat.

after the rubbin'....They were best friends from that day on.

basically I taught Tippy that having the puppy in her space meant good things...so I counter conditioned her to his touch/presence...once that was done the ice was broken.

I think you dogs are too big to rub together well lol

Mikey · 11-04-2009, 01:01 PM

Quote:

I think you dogs are too big to rub together well lol

lol

Crio you totally made me think of stress bonding. We do it with rabbits, because initially, many rabbits hate the other rabbit; but with time can become good buddies.
For stress bonding you put them together on a drier that's turned on (loud and movey) or in a bathtub, run the vaccum or take them for car rides.

At any rate-what do you think of stress bonding dogs? The principle is they get stressed out and worried, and cling to each for comfort/support -and don't fight because they are already worreid about something else...and they realize while cuddling-'hey he's not such a bad guy' It really works...but with dogs? I dunno?

Brittany · 11-04-2009, 01:22 PM

I yi yi...I just don't know about these dogs LoL...Maybe I am just too nervous. We are at the office now and they were playing you know nipping growling all that stuff but Kelsey makes me so nervous because she looks like Kujo when they are playing...atleast I hope they are playing...The only time she will engage with Kimber is when we are at the office I'm not sure what thats about. So anyway I let them play for a few minutes but then I think maybe they aren't playing so I make them stop. I don't know maybe it is all me and Kelsey and Kimber are fine. What scares me is if they aren't playing and I let it escalate I wouldn't be able to break them up. Also, I am just not sure if Kimber understands that Kelsey doesn't want to play. Or again, maybe it is me and Kimber and Kelsey are fine and I am the one with communication problems LoL.

Mikey · 11-04-2009, 01:39 PM

Crio had a great suggestion in a thread-seperate the dogs, and the let the one who was 'getting beat up on' go-if he goes back, they are playing

Wonder if they get on fine at the office because of the time of day, or because your distracted, or? That's probably key-figuring out why they get on so well in that environment.

Brittany · 11-04-2009, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikey

Crio had a great suggestion in a thread-seperate the dogs, and the let the one who was 'getting beat up on' go-if he goes back, they are playing

Wonder if they get on fine at the office because of the time of day, or because your distracted, or? That's probably key-figuring out why they get on so well in that environment.

Neither of them are "losing" they are both just nipping and jumping but Kelsey just sounds REALLY mad....

I am thinking they get along better at the office (well they get along at home too Kelsey just ignores Kimber though) because we recently moved offices so Kelsey was only here for 2 weeks before we got Kimber so maybe this is considered nuetral?? But I am not sure. And its not that get along better its just that Kelsey doesn't ignore Kimber.