[Cmagee12]

I have a mixed breed Barney (lab/Pitt/heeler/German Shephard) he is almost 2 and has always been an only dog. We recently decided to get him a friend to play with because we work so much we thought it might be a good decision....our new puppy is also a mixed breed opie 11weeks old (the only one we know for sure is beagle) granted today is only the second day they’ve been together but any time I have both dogs out together Barney circles opie like a shark and any time opie tries to stand up to play Barney will smack him back down with his paw, He’s constantly following him around the house, he eats opies food, he runs at him full speed and knocks him over he steps on him, it’s constant anxiety, the only way I’ve been able to get them to settle down is putting opie in his crate, potty time has to be separate or Barney won’t allow it....I’ve been reading everything I can get my hands on I’ve seen every episode of the dog whisperer, I’m reaching out to friends and here as well, I want this to go well, help!!

 

[JudyN]

As far as food goes, you need to keep them separate while feeding. I also wouldn't even use treats when they're both together as Barney is used to thinking that all treats are his. Is Barney showing any sign of actual aggression, as opposed to just being rough and bullying?

I think it's a delicate balance between ensuring that Barney gets all the love an attention he did before and making sure Opie doesn't annoy him, and not letting him bully Opie. I only have one dog but others might be able to give more detailed advice.

 

[Cmagee12]

No Barney isn’t showing any aggression just being a bully! I will start feeding separate and I didn’t even think about the treats!! I have been trying to give Barney the same amount of affection but he won’t settle down to sit with me he’s just so concerned about what opie is doing! So I have been taking Barney for a short walk (separately) every time I let the puppy out because he thinks the puppy is getting walks!

 

[Teaswizzler]

Did you introduce them away from the home? If not why don’t you take a step backwards and try taking the dogs dogs separately to a park and have them walk nearby but not too close and then gradually allow them to move closer as long as they are both comfortable.(you’ll need two people of course, one for each dog. ) Then take something that smells of the new dog and leave it where the older dog likes to be for a while without actually having the two dogs together. Then allow them to be together for a very short period outside. At any time if either dog seems uncomfortable take a step back.


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[Teaswizzler]

I’d also ditch the dog whisperer and instead look up positive reinforcement dog behaviourists and see what they say about introducing dogs to avoid anxiety in the dogs.


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[JoanneF]

Oh, yes, please ditch the dog whisperer. He uses some really outdated methods, and of course a huge amount is cut in order to condense the programme.

For good training tips, Kikopup on YouTube is very good.

 

[Cmagee12]

Ok I looked up kikopup I’ll try a few things from that! Thank you!

 

[Cmagee12]

they were introduced at home but outside, once they started being friendly we let them come in the house I’ll try taking them elsewhere and do it again!

Did you introduce them away from the home? If not why don’t you take a step backwards and try taking the dogs dogs separately to a park and have them walk nearby but not too close and then gradually allow them to move closer as long as they are both comfortable.(you’ll need two people of course, one for each dog. ) Then take something that smells of the new dog and leave it where the older dog likes to be for a while without actually having the two dogs together. Then allow them to be together for a very short period outside. At any time if either dog seems uncomfortable take a step back.


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