Rita is such an energetic little girl and Speck is such a grumpy old guy! I had hoped that if they spent enough time getting to know each other, with something separating them so that Speck couldn’t hurt her, that they could live together, inside, in peace but that doesn’t seem to be in the cards.
Speck
When Rita is in the house, Speck is behind the baby gate, locked in the kitchen. They will get nose to nose at the gate and Speck barks and snarls and shows his teeth at her. Rita just wants him to come out and play!
Rita
Rita will stay in for about half an hour and then she’s chomping at the bit to get back outside. She loves running in the yard, chasing grasshoppers and best of all . . she wants to be right on Vince’s heels. If he’s outside, there’s no keeping her in the house. A chihuahua isn’t what I would consider an outside dog around these parts but Vince said that’s where she’s happy and if something happens to her, at least she was happy and safe for a while.
Any suggestions as to how to get Speck to be nicer? I thought keeping them close, with the baby gate separating them til they got to know each other might work but it doesn’t appear to be helping. HELP!
Claudia Wade says
Doggy tranquilizers for Speck for awhile?
MrsB says
It just takes time – baby gate good – lots of sniffing etc. And supervised togetherness.
Patience!
JudyL says
Patience? Ugh . . I’m so ready for a normal household with 2 dogs getting along.
Ellen Horn says
We have a rat terrier (2 yrs) who was an only dog–until we adopted a german shepherd mix puppy that just showed up.
The rat terrier was not happy to share toys, attention, territory. We didn’t have a good way to separate them at the time, so they worked out their differences (loudly). We had to intervene a few times, but nothing too serious. There was a lot of growling and showing teeth and barking, mostly.
It took about 2 weeks but now they get along. Sometimes all it takes is time.
Karen langseth says
Give them time….speck is so used to being an only dog…..I think with time they will learn to be happy together….or tolerate each other. It will be a baby step process all the way.
Michelle Wyman says
I think you need to ask your vet what is recommended for acclimating Speck to Rita. They can give you some good ideas and hints. I am not a fan of Chihuahua’s but Rita is adorable!
Jill M in Ohio says
When I brought Lula home, it was just me and the 3 doxies. The M’s (Max and Maisy) weren’t pleased with her by any means, but within a couple of weeks, she won them over to an extent. I think the big thing was that Lula was so happy to have other dogs around and to be in a nice environment so she let whatever the M’s did to her roll off and she was still happy. After a few days, it got much better. Correcting the M’s counted and showing that she was staying no matter what. Of course, Lula and Maisy had words while I was eating at the coffee table one evening and there was a lot of blood. After that, I didn’t eat at the coffee table. 🙂
Good luck!
Michelle says
Definitely get advice from your vet on ways to acclimate them, but keeping them separate (Especially confining Speck) is likely only adding to his anxiety about this interloper. Let them be in the same room, and give Speck lots of positive attention when he’s ignoring her, and ignore him when he snaps. Only intervene if it looks like someone is going to get hurt.
Right now he sees her as punishment. She gets to roam as she pleases and he’s locked in the kitchen. I wouldn’t be happy with that situation either. Depending on how defensive he is with food, give him small nibbles of something tasty when he’s being nice. Same thing for Rita. If she’s being calm she gets nibbles. If not, no nibbles.
And take it slow. She’s a cutie!
Kate says
Its going to take more than a day or two, more like weeks. Speck is older and you know how we older ones get set in our ways! She may also be jealous as well as territorial. You have to give them both attention at the same time, and put Rita in jail and give Speck the run of her house. There will be fussing, but they will work it out. Animals aren’t as complicated as people. Also Rita and Boots will get along fine too in the sewing room, be better for Boots not to be alone so much. Cats are pack animals too. If you can put up with the growling for a while, they will all work it out. Shes a cutie!
Toni Wood says
As old as Speck is it could take several months. When I bring in a new kitten I keep it in the laundry room behind a closed door for the first week. That way the older cat can smell but not see. Seems to work a little better than face to face confrontation. But they all have to work it out for themselves.
What’s the latest on the chick count?
Rosalie says
We currently have 6 dogs plus a grand-dog visiting for a few months….we had 8 dogs at one time….we have never separated them. We introduce them out in the yard and they fuss and sniff etc but they quickly accept the new one….the new one just has to accept their assigned place in the pack. They all go in and out of the house and some spend more of the day outside…whatever they want to do. I stay close until they get used to each other and occasionally have to scold the more verbal objectors. I have brought other dogs into the yard for a few hours or a few days when we find strays and never had a problem. (our dogs are from 70 lb for the lab down to 20 lbs….we did have a little 7 lb terrier until last winter when he died of old age)
PegD says
When my granddaughter was born the nurses suggested taking home a blanket with the baby’s smell on it for the dog to get used to before she came home. Maybe something similar would work for Speck. Let Rita sleep with a little blankie for a few days and then put it in with Speck so he gets more and more used to her smell. Just a thought. Good luck. If only dogs could tell us what they are thinking.
Barbara says
Don’t give up. I had an old dashound who had 2 much larger dogs come to live with her when she was over 8 years old. She did not like it at first but after a while it worked out nicely. In fact, I think it added years to her life because she soon learned she could trick the other dogs into getting into trouble and they never caught on to her sly manipulations.
melissa raddetz says
Try to make every contact with Rita a positive one. I know Speck has a special diet but hold back some of his food so that you can use it as a treat. Bring Speck to the gate and let him know you have a treat – when Rita approaches use lots of praise and give both dogs a treat and keep them coming so that Speck can’t growl. End the session BEFORE Speck has a negative reaction.
With Vince’s help – walk the dogs on leash past each other going in opposite directions as though you were passing on the sidewalk. Have a special treat in your hand and praising Speck feed him as he passes and BEFORE he growls or barks. Don’t have the dogs too close to each other but close enough for Speck to see her.
I know this sounds like I’m a lunatic BUT bring Rita to the gate and allow Speck to smell her rear end with no eye contact. It might take help from Vince but feed her treats if necessary. This allows Speck to get to “know” Rita without feeling threatened. Dogs feel threatened when another dog looks at them. Submissive dogs never look another dog in the eye when first meeting and allow the other dog to smell their rears and see who they are. You can even feed Rita with her dish away from the gate in a way that her rear faces Speck in the kitchen.
When things calm down a bit you can put Rita in a crate and let Speck have a 360 degree smell fest and get to know her. Even a little growling is okay and it teaches Rita that Speck is in charge. You can also leash Speck in the house and let him see Rita, walk by her and get used to her but also keep her safe.
And as the days pass – it’s okay to gently scold Speck if he acts aggresive towards her.
And then be very patient and give it time. He may never love her but he can learn to live with her.
Good luck! She’s a cutie!
Anne says
You’ve gotten some great suggestions. I’ve have up to 7 of my own dogs (retired racing greyhounds) and quite a few fosters as well.
Best to put them on leashes and introduce them outside. Then bring them in and keep them on lead and sit and pet and talk to the one you have and then trade places. Let them sniff. There may be some growling and posturing go on, but I never once had a full scale doggie brawl. Melissa Raddetz gives some great advice.
I have often found that dogs will become pretty protective when they are gated away or put in a kennel or crate with the door shut, and they tend to growl at other dogs going by for some reason.
I doubt that Speck will attack the chi, but I wouldn’t leave the house with them alone in the same room for a while. 🙂
Also, giving Speck a crate that is comfy and leaving it in the living room with the door open will give him a way to get off to himself if his new sister is driving him nuts. I’m betting in no time at all they will be, at the very least, tolerating each other pretty well.
Good luck and don’t lose heart, it will all come together for you. 🙂
Debi says
What did I miss – when did you get Rita????
SueAnn W says
All wonderful suggestions. It’s just going to take a wee bit of time. Keep us in the loop. Lot of us critter lovers here
JudyL says
OK. Tonight I could tell it was a little better. Rita barked back and I think that kinda made Speck take notice. He growled at her but didn’t try to kill her when they walked past each other on a leash.
Marion Morgan says
Wow, great info. So glad Speck is okay, at first I thought something had happened to him. Ihavefaiththat peace will return, just takes time. Judy,you’re a mother again!
Diana says
Patience, time and lots of love for both. Speck is so used to being #1 and now there is another. He probably considers her an intruder. Maybe ask your vet to see what they say about it ..
Nancy says
Good advise from a lot. One other thing is that speck may be fence fighting at the baby gate. It causes agression in some pups (the fence). Both leased in an area so you have control and see as well as what others have said.
Sometimes it takes longer to cohabitate but they will get there 🙂
Karen says
Our older dog was 6 when we got a 4 month old puppy. Jake hated her for close to 2 months. She had to learn the pack order and at times I wondered if the growling and nipping was ever going to stop. Now they are best buds, and I think Jake would be lost without Teddy. They’ve been together for 6 years now.
Diane in CA says
I second that question… Where did Rita come from?..
Judy H says
Lavish love on Speck…dogs can be so very jealous! If he feels sure of your love, he’ll accept Lula easier. But it will definitely take time!
Sue S says
Shades of the Dog Whisperer!! Eventually they’ll work it out themselves as to which one will be the alpha dog and you will be able to follow their lead. And then you’ll have to figure out which Human is the Pack Leader. In my daughter’s house it’s the seven year old girl, and their Golden Retriever is her pack. It might have to be you, Judy, because it looks like Vince is wrapped around the ‘finger’ of Rita and she knows it! Good luck with your pets, they are adorable.