Jack is mean to his new friend
My daughter and her fiance are fostering a Red Bone Coonhound for a week, as a trial to decide if they can handle one or not. He is 9-10 months old, neutered, and has lived in a Georgia Shelter from birth til just a few months ago when he was scheduled to be PTS and then was rescued by a local group here and placed in foster care.
Anyway…..Rocky does just fine with him, but Jack barks and barks and barks and runs to hide behind me. Red is very curious about Jack and the more he barks and runs, the more Red wants to play. I tried holding Jack and comforting him but I finally had to put him in the crate in the bedroom for a while. Right before they left I let Jack out and he growled and snapped at poor Red! Mind you, this dog is at least 60 pounds and his belly is 18″ off the ground! He could fit Jack’s entire HEAD in his mouth!
Any tips on getting Jack to be more relaxed around him? I have a feeling they will end up keeping him, as her fiance is already very smitten with “Ole Red”. Hopefully it will just take time, although Jack continues to bark like a maniac at any and all dogs at my apartment complex. I think it is his way of trying to show he’s not afraid of them, although he really is.
August 19, 2008 @ 4:04 pm
I don’t really have any ideas, but Maddie and Chester would act the same way. Don’t hold him and tell him it’s okay if he’s scared, because I have learned that encourages the fear. I’m sure others will have some better ideas. It’s good to hear from you! I’ve been wondering how you’ve been!
August 19, 2008 @ 6:07 pm
Well, the way I “discipline” my rough housers is to use a squirt bottle with water while saying a firm “no”. Mine do not like the sudden squirt of water to the muzzle or hind quarters (not the nose,ears, or eyes due to saftey). It makes them stop and quit what they are doing. It’s an old trick that I used on our cats when I was younger. It works on my 3 who hate water/baths/rain. It might be a start.
August 19, 2008 @ 6:19 pm
Have you tried only giving Jack his favorite treats when he is near Red? Maybe he will begin to associate Red with something he really likes.
August 20, 2008 @ 1:25 pm
That sounds exactly like my Tobey, he especialy does that to male dogs. I can quiet him down by shooshing him repeatedly (not talking) until he is just whinning pitifully and eventualy stops. He loves the german shepard “Lady” that lives across the street and will bark and cry for her but when they come over for a visit he runs and hides with his tail between his legs. He will eventualy come out but stays right by me. I believe that even though he wants to play he is scared, so I don’t force him to socialize when he is like that.
August 20, 2008 @ 3:26 pm
Picking Jack up is reinforcing his fear of the new dog,it is showing you are scared too.
You need to let them sniff each others bums,hold Jack to Red if needs be,if needs be get Red to lie down so he doesn’t look so big and over powering.
Take it slowly, sit on the floor and have extra special treats,invite all the dogs to join you and take it in turns to give them a treat,vary who gets the first treat so there is no favouritism.
They will soon learn if you aren’t scared that things are OK,just keep a close eye on proceedings as Jack is tiny and you don’t want Red jumping on him in playfulness.
Rhona
August 21, 2008 @ 12:23 am
Ha ha squert me with water & i’ll eat the bottel.. lol Buddythedoxie