Becoming a two dog family has not been easy. Rita lived in the woods for at least a week before Vince caught her and made friends. Then for a week, she was an outside dog. She loved being outside. She chased grasshoppers and ran circles around the house and followed Vince everywhere he went. I coaxed her into the house last week but she wasn’t comfortable inside. She would not get on the furniture and when I put her in the chair with me, she immediately jumped down and thought she was in trouble. How things have changed! I should have left her outside but winter is coming and it would be too cold for her to stay outside. Even with her sleeping in the sewing room, I worried that the UPS guy might run over her or a vulture or hawk might get her during the day while she was out.
We’ve tried to get Rita and Speck to become friends. I had Speck at the vet last week for his shots and nail trim and I asked them what else I could do to have more peace around here. They think there’s a good chance he will ever get used to her. He’s been the only dog for 14 years, he isn’t friendly and he probably isn’t going to change.
No matter which one we put in the kitchen with the baby gate, Speck is barking and trying to attack Rita. For the most part, she ignored him . . til Friday and she got right back in his face and barked back. Great . . now two dogs are barking. We keep them in the house, separated by the gate, both barking, as long as we can stand it and then we put Rita out. It’s been cool enough that we have our windows open and wouldn’t you know it .. Rita goes from window to window howling . . wanting to come in. I’m about to give up and say both of them are going to the pound!
We decided that in order to keep the snapping and biting down, and hopefully have no injuries, we’d put a muzzle on Speck and let them get to know each other. Speck, of course, was not happy and ended up going and hiding. I think he was embarrassed . . and he should be. He really wants to hurt Rita.
Speck
But, with Speck hiding, there was no interaction.
Rita
Shy, timid little Rita has decided she owns the place, that she is staying inside, and that she will rule the roost. For a while, Rita was sleeping on the sofa, Speck was sitting in the chair with me, and I think neither realized the other was there. After an hour or so, Speck noticed Rita and he began barking. Rita, not being intimidated at all, came right over, jumped up in the chair with Speck and me, and she began barking at Speck.
We did not need two dogs but we didn’t ask for the second one. Speck is 14 and probably won’t be around more than a couple of years but a couple of years of this kind of frustration may mean Judy isn’t around much longer! 🙂
I kinda long for the good old days when I could go into the sewing room, without having to dig through inches of cat hair, and then fight with a cat while trying to do anything in there; or when I could relax inside the house without trying to play referee between two feisty/grumpy dogs.
It will get better, right?
Rosalie says
Hang in there Judy! Think back and you have made progress this week! It will be better by next weekend. You may never have both dogs happily in the same chair, but they will make their peace or learn to ignore each other.
Katie says
They may never be friends but can live in peace. My two grew up from puppies together (6 months apart) and do fight from time to time. I let them work it out unless it gets bad, then they are sent to different places in the house.
Patty says
I agree with Rosalie, things will get better they’ll learn to ignore each other and life will again be peaceful.
Sue in Scottsdale, AZ says
Judy, I have 5 dogs – all different ages. I won’t say they all like each other all the time but they have learned to tolerate each other! There are times we have problems but most of the time things are good. Each dog has their own kennel/cage. They sleep in their own kennel (locked in) and eat in their own cages – no fighting allowed! When they come in from outside, they run into their own cage and wait for a treat. They know to leave each other alone when they are in their “own space”. When they start up annoying or fighting with each other, they are locked in their own cages until they settle down. I really do think that having their own spaces has helped. Sometimes we will find 2 or 3 of the dogs sharing one cage during the day, other days they sit and spend time in their own cages by themselves. They have learned that this is their “safe” place and life is good. When I sit with them and watch TV or try to read, I will have 4 or 5 of them trying to sit on me. They work it out after I discipline them. Many times my husband will have 2 or 3 on his lap and I’ll have the rest and vice-versa. Give them time, I think they will work it out.
Rebecca Grace says
I think it’s wonderful that there is room in your heart for both dogs, even though they aren’t fond of one another! I’ll bet they just need to work out their hierarchy and then things will settle down for you.
glen in louisiana says
Yes, it will get better. Time and gentleness and understanding. Daschies are not known for their friendliness and tolerance and chihuahuas are not known for their quietness!
But they can ease into coexistence in time!
glen, Obedience 101 Dog Training!
Dorothy Matheson says
My Mom has just one dog but she has to spend the day outside. She barks and jumps and just is a mess (no accidents) till she gets outside. She sleeps in a kennel in the house at night and really wants in there at dark. She is only just 2 and has calmed down a lot in the last year. But she sure has to have the outside run and play space. You can purchase pre fab ones or just make it like we did with metal posts and fencing wire.
Dorothy
Diane in CA says
Sounds like a project for Cesar Milan the dog whisperer.. and he would probably say you need to step up and be the pack leader.. And maybe we know now why Rita was dropped off..
pdudgeon says
how about a rule that says if they bark inside they get the muzzle. it will keep you hopping for a few days but it will keep the peace, and it probably won’t take long for each one to learn not to bark. then step that down to if they growl, they get the muzzle.
pdudgeon says
but you and Vince should be the Alphas not the servants in the house; it’s your house,your rules; you are in charge, not them.
If that can’t happen for whatever reason, then it’s time for the animals to find another home.
Fran says
I think the answer is that they each have their own space. In our case we had a much smaller dog move in with us when our bigger dog was about six – for starters she walked in and ‘announced’ that she was in charge and he backed off. Each of them had their own ‘room’ – a crate – nobody trespassed and it worked really well. Good luck.
Carolyn says
I don’t think Rita liked the camera either!
Sherrill says
This is ALL VINCE’S fault!!!!! LOL
Deanna says
Chihuahuas are aggressive dogs. Good luck to you.
Amy says
Yes It will get better….spoken from the Momma of 5 rescues that have come in all at different times. 🙂
Theresa says
My only recommendation is to make sure that you only reward the good behavior. Growling or barking should get them nothing except confinement. If they tolerate each other, pet and praise them. I have faith that they’ll figure it out.
H says
Spray bottle with water can work wonders! Bark, growl, snarl spritz and loud disapproving sound and it should ease up.
Good luck
LadyBaltimore says
It will get better, yes. But it will try your patience in the meantime.
Liz says
Try using a spray bottle with water or water and vinegar or lemon juice and spray when the dog when he/she barks. You can also try using a shaker can. Take an empty pop can and put a couple pebbles or pennies in it and tape it closed. Then, when somebody barks, grab the can and shake it. The object is to startle the noisy one into being quiet. You can also then use small treats to reward the noisy one when they are quiet. If they are at all food motivated, they will catch on quickly. Use high value treats, and preferably soft so they are easy to chew. Things like bits of string cheese or turkey franks.