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Post by Jazz on Aug 28, 2004 20:38:59 GMT 1
I fostered then adopted freddy, collie cross, 4yrs old, neutered, a few weeks ago. He was lovely, but has just started getting a bit jealous when I fuss the other one, a 6yr old GSD girl.(spayed). Shadow. I have fostered an old collie cross, Alfie, not neutered. He has been here 2 days, and they fight. Freddy will curl his lip and growl, which I tell him no and he stops. But, not every time they pass, which is strange, they will fight, real snarling, nasty, hardly any blood though. Im having to put one at a time in the crate, to stop having to part them, or follow them round to stop a fight. I know they are fighting for dominance, but Freddy sits under the pc table and growls if Alfie passes. I have tryed to get him out from the table, but he has bitten me twice, which Im certainly not happy about. I know i should find another foster home for Alfie, but dont want to let people down. What can I do, have you had this happen to you?
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Post by LurcherGirl on Aug 29, 2004 22:41:36 GMT 1
First of all, do not try to pull him out from the table or get physically involved in any aggressive situation. You only get hurt!
The fact that Freddy sits under the table (unless that is his normal resting place) could indicate that he is insecure and his aggression is not so much dominance, but insecurity...? Could that be right?
It would probably take quite a while of walking the two together, do specific socialisation exercises etc. I am not sure whether it would be worth it to put your own dog, Freddy, through the stress, if it is only going to be temporary? (I know that is one of the reasons why I would not consider fostering myself as every dog would have to be introduced very carefully with Troy around. And the stress that this would put on Troy as well as the foster dog just for a temporary arrangement would not be fair.)
As hard as it is, I would probably look for another foster home. This situation is not just stressful for your own dog Freddy, but just as stressful for Alfie.
I also feel that after only a few weeks, Freddy has still got some settling in to do. You therefore need to ask yourself whether it is really fair on him to take on foster dogs so shortly after he was adopted? Only you can answer that question!
Re the jealousy of Freddy towards your GSD: the honeymoon period for Freddy is probably just about over. He will be more settled and his real character will be more apparent, he will probably be more confident, bad manners will be more apparent etc. Hence the fact that he has only just started being more jealous.
I think you will need to make sure that you put yourself in the leader position. Only then will he accept that it is your decision who you pet, not his! How exactely does he express his jalousy?
Vera
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Post by Jazz on Aug 30, 2004 9:46:25 GMT 1
Thank you for answering. The reason I fostered so quickly, is that im as soft as puppy poo, saw a dog in distress, and offered, but have learnt my lesson. I dont think I will be fostering again. Things have turned around, only the odd growl and tustle now. It has helped putting Alfie in the crate at night, and when we go out, not just because I would worry about them fighting, but also alfie being blind, feels settled, and doesnt walk around all night crying. Ive not been moving Freddy out from under the table, just blocks it when I can from getting under there, or ignoring him, that has helped so much, and ive not got bitten! I have put myself in the leader position, staring Freddy out has helped. So now its more if it pleases me, I think, as he looks to me more. Im doing more of a hands off approach, stroking Freddy when I want to, not when he demands. Im glad they have settled down, but has shown me that 2 is enough, more is a pack lol.
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Post by LurcherGirl on Aug 30, 2004 12:52:51 GMT 1
That's great news, Jazz. You are doing absolutely the right thing there! The fact that Alfie is blind is probably very important as that would make him more insecure in a new environment. But it seems that you have it all under control now! Best of luck.
Vera
PS. Please don't be put off of fostering alltogether, just give your own doglets a bit more time to settle in and find their place in your family!
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