April 12, 2011
How do you introduce a female into a home with an adult male who is a little territorial?
Full Question:
I just adopted a female rottweiler, approximately 1 year from the pound the day before getting put to sleep. She is loving, gentle and responds to some commands. I arranged for my boyfriend to bring my male rott, 2 years to the park to meet her. Both dogs were on leashes with pinch collars. They were equally aggressive, with my male dog more out of control than I had anticipated. He has gone through 2 obedience courses. He has been the only Housedog for the past 3 months. He was raised from 10weeks with a female alpha rott, who regretfully was killed by a car in sept 98. Anyway, the dogs were taken to my home and separated after a few hours of a shaky introduction. The female does wiggle her tail while getting closer, but turns aggressive when he does. It is still the first night of meeting as I write to you. I need some help figuring tactics to introduce them. They currently are in separate areas of the house. I am willing to muzzle them both, but am fearful of allowing them to be off leash in the same proximity of each other.
Ed's Answer:
This is not a difficult situation.
1. Both dogs need a crate. If you can’t do this, at least one needs to be in a crate while the other is loose in the house. This must go on for several weeks. In this way the dogs learn that the other dog is now part of the family pack and not an intruder into their territory - which is going on right now. You are trying to rush the process - don't do this.
2. When they are introduced I would do it with the cheap Jafco Muzzles that we sell - they are not much money and they are way better than cloth ones.
3. The dogs need a regimented obedience program. This cements the pack leader, or leadership roll of the handler. Get my video called Basic Dog Obedience and read what I have to say about this
If you do these things it will work out. If you cut corners you will have problems.
1. Both dogs need a crate. If you can’t do this, at least one needs to be in a crate while the other is loose in the house. This must go on for several weeks. In this way the dogs learn that the other dog is now part of the family pack and not an intruder into their territory - which is going on right now. You are trying to rush the process - don't do this.
2. When they are introduced I would do it with the cheap Jafco Muzzles that we sell - they are not much money and they are way better than cloth ones.
3. The dogs need a regimented obedience program. This cements the pack leader, or leadership roll of the handler. Get my video called Basic Dog Obedience and read what I have to say about this
If you do these things it will work out. If you cut corners you will have problems.
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