Puppy socialising with 'loner' dog.

Hey all

Thanks again to everyone who has given me advice so far with my new puppy Dex - he is doing so well and is really getting the hang of everything

We've been taking him round to my Mum's every so often to try and get them all used to each other. My mum has 2 dogs - Rocky who is about 10 years old and is a cross between a border collie and springer spaniel and Murphy who is a 5-6 year old border collie. Rocky is really great with Dex and they'll play away fine even though there is a huge size difference (Rocky is a tall dog, about mid thigh high which considering Dex barely reaches half way up my calf that is a bit difference in my eyes). Murphy however has always been difficult with other dogs, including Rocky to begin with. Murphy doesn't cope well with other dogs at all and when Dex has gone round, Murphy is quite protective of his territory. So far all he does is chases Dex a bit and lunges forward... he isn't actually snapping or trying to hurt him yet. Dex obviously understands that Murphy needs to assert his dominance in his own territory and Dex rolls over and shows Murphy that he knows it isnt his house etc but Murphy still seems really unsure, cautious and assertive towards Dex.

Anybody got any tips how we can encourage Murphy to be more relaxed and more accepting of Dex?

Thanks in advance

xx

Anybody got any advice at all?

Could you try exercising them together on neutral territory? Obviously Dex is only young and so doesn't need much in the way of walking yet, but you could arrange to meet your mum with her dogs somewhere open, but safe, where all the dogs could let off steam but aren't forced into each other's faces.

I would just try and relax a bit. So long as Murphy isn't being out and out aggressive towards Dex (which I wouldn't allow) I would just try to leave them to it. Dogs usually have a way of sorting themselves out.

Also, a good idea would be to enrol Dex into a puppy socialisation/training class. Your vet may have details of a local one, but go along first without Dex to make sure it is well run, and not just a noisy, free for all.

Dex will benefit from spending some controlled time with pups of his own age, continuing the socialisation he will have started on the farm with his litter mates and mum, and it will also help stimulate his busy collie brain and give you ideas of things you can do with him at home.

It is important he makes a good association with dogs at this early age, and that he has as few bad experiences as possible, so he grows up being friendly and sociable with other dogs.

Good advice there

IME you cannot force dogs to be friends, they will do it in their own time Bearing in mind that as we don't like all people we meet similarly you cannot expect all dogs to like each other.

Providing Murphy isn't harming Dex and that Dex is respecting him then I would just let them get on with it

Thanks all

We took Dex back round last night and it was much better. Murphy managed to relax more meaning Dex could run mental.

I do keep saying to my Mum just to leave them to it and that I doubt Murphy would hurt Dex but she is not so sure.

Dex is starting puppy classes in about a month as thats when the best one in Perth restarts her next session of classes.

Thanks all
xx

Glad things went well last night. Murphy probably just needs to get used to the idea of having a young upstart running rings around him in his own home

Excellent news about the puppy classes too.

Now - we need more photos!

Lol! Thanks Murphy has no real experience with other dogs and especially not with younger dogs like puppies and so I can imagine it must be confusing for him just as much as Dex.

Will make sure I keep getting more photos over the next few days however I do have one...



Dex peacefully asleep after a morning or total destruction at the expense of a teddy.

xx

Oops