OT: Another puppy question (LONG STORY)

On Wednesday I "inherited" my DSis's dog... after 18 months of what clearly was neglect and appears to have been some abuse.

After her passing, her "husband" (who is what I consider a member of the lowest life form on the planet for a whole slew of deserved reasons) took her 2 sons and the dog. While I've talked with my nephews in the past year and a half... hadn't seen them much as they live in another state.

Well, my DM had an opportunity to visit and when she saw the dog she about lost it. (My DM had bought the dog for her grandson 6 years ago -- and lived with my DS for about 4 years since.) The dog is a yorkie-poo -- about 6-7 pounds of fluff. When she saw him... his hair was long and matted so badly that she immediately took him to the groomer... who advised that another couple of months and it could have caused serious health issues.

DM was told that they just didn't have the $$ to get him groomed ($22) but there was a new Wii and a PS3 in the living room and a stack of video games for them 6 feet high. Clearly the $$ was NOT the issue.

She can't have him where she is living... so she called and asked if I would take him. I said okay -- we could try it.

I got him Wednesday. On the way in from out-of-state I stopped at the vets and he is now current on shots. Then we came home... where Samson (my dog) was eagerly waiting for me to return.

So now I have Samson (a rather well-behaved, 18 month old, 70 pound yellow lab) and Benny (a 7 pound, very undisciplined yorkie poo who spends every waking moment in someone's lap) who need to get to know each other.

From the way Benny responds to touching him or approaching him... it is pretty evident to me that he has been abused. His entire demeanor is totally different than when my DSis was alive. This is not just because of Sammy -- it is totally clear that some "not nice" happenings have occurred in the past 18 months.

The introduction so far has gone pretty well. Sam greets Benny with tail wagging full boar (which if you know labs... you know that can be a major weapon! LOL). Benny seems to want to hump everything he touches, which I'm thinking is his way of trying to show his dominance. Sammy (the lab) will go to sniff him, and Benny tries to hump his nose. It's really quite funny.

I think next week I'll be returning to the vet to have a little "snipping" done on Benny. Hopefully that will curb some of the humping and maybe a little of the fear biting/growling.

So finally... the question(s):

1) Are there any special tools or tricks in dealing with a dog that seems to have been abused? Fortunately his mouth is little and won't do a great deal of harm... but he has already broken the skin once when he bit my DM on the way home from the groomer.

2) Any special tricks in introducing a new dog to the family ... especially when the weight differential is so HUGE (70 lbs vs 7 lbs.). Again -- Sammy has not shown ANY aggression but I feel like I'm on guard all day long. (I invested in a kennel cage for Benny... and I pop him in there from time to time during the day. Sammy is also kennel trained since I've had him... for Benny (age 6) this is all new. We also have an electric fence -- so Sammy can spend time outdoors -- which gives me a wee bit of piece. (But no quiet -- Benny is a whimperer.)

Any advice is welcomed. Am I nuts? Will they settle down? How long (generally) does it take when introducing a new dog to the household for things to "settle down".

Thanks in advance...

Kate in MI

Reply to
Kate G.
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No answers, but just a pat on the back and a big bless you for taking Benny into your home. I hope it all settles down quickly.

Reply to
KJ

Sorry Kate, I only know about cat and rabbit introductions; but I'm so pleased it is you who now has this poor little chap. When he loses the fear he obviously has, and knows he can safely relax, I'm sure he'll be fine. TLC does wonders to little furries that have had sad and scary times. The cages are a great idea. We use one for a new cat and it helps a lot. Also, it's sometimes quite a good idea to put the resident into the cage and let the new one run about without having to think about the other dog - in your case large! So, we put the kitten in the cage first and let the other sniff her; then put the older one in cage and let the kitten run about. Benny could also be encouraged to use his cage as a refuge - especially as Samson perhaps wouldn't fit in!! so couldn't visit >g< . In message , Kate G. writes

Reply to
Patti

Reply to
Bobbie Sews More

My darling Daisy (German Shepherd/Basenji) was found starving and covered in road tar wandering in a very rural area at approximately 2 years of age. My friend and dog trainer, Susan, took her in, cleaned her up, had her vet checked and taught her some house manners and then passed this sweet, gentle little girl on to me. Daisy is finally safe, secure, loved and well-fed. But, after two years with me, she is still rather shy, eats laying down with her front feet wrapped around her dish, is *very* submissive and always seems surprised and very pleased when she gets her hugs and kisses and special attention. She is very obviously grateful for everything she receives.

When I take her to Susan to be boarded, she acts terribly depressed, will hardly eat and seems worried that I will never come back for her. The other three love to go visit Auntie Susan so she has an example from the rest of the pack but that doesn't help her worries of abandonment. It's a bit heartbreaking. I doubt she will ever truly believe this home will last forever. One thing Daisy does that really touches my heart- if I look at her and smile she wags her tail. Then, if I smile really big, her tail increases in speed with the size of my smile. She wants so much to please me and my smiles delight her.

I think Benny will make progress when he settles in, but I also believe he will always remember and be apprehensive that bad things will happen again. Dogs do not forget. Just be calm and consistent and let him know what you expect from him and praise and reward him lavishly for good behavior. The best thing for bad behavior is a scowl and a low growl- from *you*. Samson will also teach him the way to behave in your home once they accept each other and form their "pack". Benny will probably test you many times to see if you will hurt him or not feed him. Consistency is soooooo important to dogs- they are comforted by a schedule and knowing their place.

Best of luck,

Leslie & The Furbabies in MO.

Reply to
Leslie & The Furbabies in MO.

Leslie, This brought tears to my eyes. How lucky Daisy is to have "found" you, and how great that you knew how to treat her. I can't imagine anyone being so horrible to animals. Kate, I don't have dogs, but you may remember I took my cousins 2 cats when we already had 2. It took about 3 months for all to be well. We gave extra attention to all 4 individually. Ours (the original 2) finally came to accept that the 2 new ones were here to stay. Just give Benny lots of attention, esp. if Samson is outside. Let him see that Sampson gets hugs and attention also. Gen

Reply to
Gen

So I wasn't the only one.

Reply to
KJ

Not even close. I was pretty teary, too.

Reply to
Sandy

Hi Kate,

I don't know if there is such a thing in the USA but I use the following product on my extremely nervous and skittish cat and it has helped tremendously. The health food shop owners where I bought it from use it with their dog and say that it worked very well for them.

If you can't get the essence in the USA, email me and I will send you some.

Lots of loving pats and cuddles to Daisy.

Regards, Di

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Excellent for any emotional upset. It has a calming effect during a crisis. If a person needs specialised medical help, this Essence will provide comfort until treatment is available. Administer this remedy every hour or more frequently if necessary, until the person feels better.

Bush Flower Essences: Angelsword, Crowea, Dog Rose of the Wild Forces, Fringed Violet, Grey Spider Flower, Sundew and Waratah.

**Slender Rice Flower and Spinifex have also been added to the Cream Formulations.

Emergency Essence

Negative Condition: . Panic . Distress . Fear

Positive Outcome: . Ability to cope Price Qty Buy 30ml $14.50

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Reply to
Di

My sincere apologies for the attachment - I didn't realise it would come out like that - I thought I was copying and pasting.

So sorry.

Di

Reply to
Di

I absolutely LOVE to watch Cesar Milan, the "Dog Whisperer". The one thing he recommends to EVERYONE who brings a new adult dog into the home is to WALK the dog before doing anything else -- well, assuming there are no food or health related issues :-). By doing this, you assume the role of dominance and it helps the dog to relieve some of the stress related to moving from one place to another. So -- walk the new doggie -- it's good for both of you AND its a wonderful bonding experience :-). CiaoMeow >^;;^<

PAX, Tia Mary >^;;^< (RCTQ Queen of Kitties) Angels can't show their wings on earth but nothing was ever said about their whiskers! Visit my Photo albums at

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Reply to
Tia Mary

Well, I don't know about that, Mary. I've walked DD's rescued Yorkie many miles - it is more like being taken for a Pull since he always must go heaps faster than I would like. I think he's established who's the dominant one of us. However, that little bully does dearly love to go and it makes him feel very happy to go hunting. I never know what we're hunting for (and he's not telling) but for sure, it has given me a high rank on his list of people that are safe. Polly

"Tia Mary" I absolutely LOVE to watch Cesar Milan, the "Dog Whisperer". The

Reply to
Polly Esther

Reply to
Taria

Leslie and her Furbaby stories always bring a tear to my eye..............

Reply to
Cindy Schmidt

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