hi all,
I brought home a GSD rescue from the shelter. She is 1 1/2 yrs old. I'm using crate/separate to get her introduced. My current pack includes a rescue neutered terrier/basenji/dach mix who is "mr romeo". He is a good one to start w/ introductions. Altho he can act like a little "stud", all proud of himself and tail wagging when he sees a new girl. They were introduced w/ him outside crate, getting treats. Her inside crate. Then w/ her on leash in yard, She wagged her tail wanting to play, placing a foot on him. I controlled so she could sniff his butt. He was happy and got pretty excited. This probably increased her prey drive. Told her "gentle" and gave leash correction (using a dominant dog collar/nylon) for being too rough (she kept putting her paw on him to press him down) and was starting to chase him. I want intro/play but gentle. Not sure how to convey that.

Inside they acted like they wanted to play some more. Then she got both paws on him, put her body over his, and laid down w/ him in a bear hug! And she turned and smiled at me like "this is the life", my own huggable chew toy.

I took her off and told him back off.

Later, he also came up to her crate and she went at him like a harsh nip.

There are several issues here. And one question is should I let other dogs approach her crate? And if I do, should I have some way to correct her if she acts aggressive? Where is that threshold? If she barks or whines, I assume that is okay, it's her warning?

My other dogs include spayed fem GSD and fem Dobie - so I know there will be plenty of fem hormones to go around.
thanks,
D

Have you read Ed's E-Book on introducing new dogs into the home?

http://leerburg.com/pdf/introducingdogs.pdf

NO the other dogs should never have acess to her while she is in the crate.

When I introduce a new dog to the home they do not touch or even eye talk for at least 3-4 weeks.

yes, just havne't memorized it. and am looking for addt'l tips. and what was the bear hugging behavior?

I will add that the new dog is pleasant to people, follows me around like velcro, seems eager to please.

I saw the trick about giving dogs special treats when they are in same vicinity as each other in "It's me or the dog".

I will continue to reinforce "proper" behavior of loose dogs or crated dogs to her in crate - which I suspect is "ignore". like you say - no eye talk. But I thought regular eye talk, like "watch me" or "just saying hello", a quick glance because I asked for it, would be okay.

What the dobe was doing, a STARE, w/ tense body language, was not okay.

That bear hugging and paw pinning is dominance aggression, NOT polite doggy behavior!

that's what I was thinking. the small dog seems pretty oblivious to it because he likes the attention. But I assume if he gets hurt, he'd try to leave/run and that would excite the aggression more?

I doubt that he likes the attention. He probably doesn't react because he knows that reacting is likely to start a fight and he's afraid.

I wouldn't wait until the small dog gets hurt to find out what will happen, I would keep the new dog AWAY from the smaller dog, based on the info in the first post.

 Quote: Donna J. DeYoung

the small dog seems pretty oblivious to it because he likes the attention. But I assume if he gets hurt, he'd try to leave/run and that would excite the aggression more?

I think you're missing the point.

The big dog should not have access to the little dog. I think you are mis-reading the body language. I have my doubts about the little dog 'liking the attention.' Whether it's prey drive - big dog wants to chase little dog and chomp on it- or dominance aggression, neither bodes well for you or the dogs and the future of the household.

oblivious to it - well, he was a stray before I got him and he has a big dog heart and loves life. He has never shown fear around my big dogs. In fact, he can show dominance to them.
Forgot to mention his name is Ivan as in Ivan the Terrible.

not have access? So far, the new big dog has tried to put her paws on the little dog and has bear hugged him but not bitten him. She showed more aggression when she was confined and he approached, probably more from fear/insecurity and I shouldn't have allowed the other dog to approach her in her crate (but I did need to see how she would react).

I think I would want to encourage more butt sniffing, walking together, ignoring, etc. and less rough play. Isn't that the point? Obviously would not let them loose together now. I could put her in a muzzle for safety. Big dog shows desire to play but doesn't know how...

I found this article on scent training new dogs to each other. It's very interesting. I did notice alot of scent following after new dog was walked outside and then others were let out separately.

http://www.thepetcenter.com/article.aspx?id=3393

 Quote: Lisa Brazeau

 Quote: Donna J. DeYoung

the small dog seems pretty oblivious to it because he likes the attention. But I assume if he gets hurt, he'd try to leave/run and that would excite the aggression more?

I think you're missing the point.

The big dog should not have access to the little dog. I think you are mis-reading the body language. I have my doubts about the little dog 'liking the attention.' Whether it's prey drive - big dog wants to chase little dog and chomp on it- or dominance aggression, neither bodes well for you or the dogs and the future of the household.

 Quote: Kristel Smart

I doubt that he likes the attention. He probably doesn't react because he knows that reacting is likely to start a fight and he's afraid.

I wouldn't wait until the small dog gets hurt to find out what will happen, I would keep the new dog AWAY from the smaller dog, based on the info in the first post.

 Quote: Lisa Brazeau

That bear hugging and paw pinning is dominance aggression, NOT polite doggy behavior!

 Quote: Willie Tilton

NO the other dogs should never have acess to her while she is in the crate.

When I introduce a new dog to the home they do not touch or even eye talk for at least 3-4 weeks.

You got some great advice here, Donna!

When I acquire a new dog, there's no interaction for quite a while except for marching right along on the opposite side of me from another housedog, both on leash. They know each other is there, but there is no stink-eye, no posturing, no nothing but brisk walking.

That, for me, is the only togetherness they have at first. I keep moving; there's no stopping to butt-sniff or even play-bow.

No dog is ever crated while other dogs are loose and can approach his crate. That goes for all dogs here, forever, and double for a new one.

I betcha all will work out great, if you slow waaaaay down, read up on dog-dog intro, and ask as many questions here as you like.

very conservative approaches - but good advice considering I don't know this dog.

agree never allow any bad posturing, aggression - and set-up all dogs for winning (ie., don't set up for failure).

Could a bark be the same as a growl in it being a warning? or is it a sign of frustration/aggression?