Hello All-

Currently I have an intact male GSD, 80lbs/2 years old and a female Rottweiler, 75 lbs/3 years old, both rescues who get along very well, with the rottie being slightly dominant. Insofar as she leads him on the walks, sniffs things first and he defers to her over any mutually desired toys.

My girlfriend has moved in, bring her 16 month 35lb female mixed breed in. We introduced then on neutral territory, corrected every display of aggression so far, etc. What I'm finding is, surprising to me, the smaller dog in the new environment is the one being aggressive. When either of my two approach, she may (not always) growl up and show teeth. My male will back off a bit but not change demeanor. That is, he will approach again in more or less the same way. My female will begin to, in the face of the small dog's aggression, respond with early stage aggressive signals of her own. At which point in time we've sperated them.

The aggression has been nonexistant on our two walks, but manifests when we return and the dogs roam on long leashes in the back yard, which is fenced and about 1/3 of an acre. The new dog is crated in the house and my two are not. The new dog will growl if the others approach her crate, which they dont seem hugely eager to do, but will if I ask tell them to.


It is only the second day, so I'm not hugely distressed, but any advance words of wisdom and experience with this situation are appreciated. I'm aware you may need to know more, if so please do let me know what.

Thanks,
Brock Wilson

http://www.leerburg.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=192901#Post192901

Hi Brock,
Have you read this thread yet??

 Quote: brock wilson

Hello All-

Currently I have an intact male GSD, 80lbs/2 years old and a female Rottweiler, 75 lbs/3 years old, both rescues who get along very well, with the rottie being slightly dominant. Insofar as she leads him on the walks, sniffs things first and he defers to her over any mutually desired toys.

My girlfriend has moved in, bring her 16 month 35lb female mixed breed in. We introduced then on neutral territory, corrected every display of aggression so far, etc. What I'm finding is, surprising to me, the smaller dog in the new environment is the one being aggressive. When either of my two approach, she may (not always) growl up and show teeth. My male will back off a bit but not change demeanor. That is, he will approach again in more or less the same way. My female will begin to, in the face of the small dog's aggression, respond with early stage aggressive signals of her own. At which point in time we've sperated them.

The aggression has been nonexistant on our two walks, but manifests when we return and the dogs roam on long leashes in the back yard, which is fenced and about 1/3 of an acre. The new dog is crated in the house and my two are not. The new dog will growl if the others approach her crate, which they dont seem hugely eager to do, but will if I ask tell them to.


It is only the second day, so I'm not hugely distressed, but any advance words of wisdom and experience with this situation are appreciated. I'm aware you may need to know more, if so please do let me know what.

Thanks,
Brock Wilson

I'd stop this immediately:
((( The new dog will growl if the others approach her crate, which they dont seem hugely eager to do, but will if I ask tell them to. )))

I'm with you on no aggressive displays allowed, period.

I want to mention the disputed toys, which aren't a problem yet -- don't let them become one. No toys, no food, no treats are left out, ever.

Have you read Ed's article about introducing new dogs? I am guessing that you have not, because you have all three loose on the second day.

http://www.leerburg.com/introducingdogs.htm

I'd read it today, and listen to the podcast.

And I commend you for seeking answers now and not when the trouble starts, because you can nip it in the bud now.

Hello All and thanks so much for the replies.

I think I need to clarify some of what I'm doing. I actually have listened to the podcast prior to introducing the GSD to the Rott, and perhaps I need to review it. I definitely DO NOT want to let the dogs sort it all out. We've been letting them interact on leash (not any looser than that) and seperating/correcting at any sign of aggression from any of the three of them. I called my two towards the crated new dog, but when I saw it was disturbing to her/resulted in aggression I promptly removed my two. So I dont think she felt taunted or trapped or if she did, not for more than a few seconds. Is there any validity to separating my two and allowing the new dog to interact with them one on one? If so, would new dog with male gsd be better than new dog with female Rott?

OK, off to read the provided links. Thanks again.

Brock

Thanks to all--We are making good progress, still moving slowly, but so far so good. Appreciate all your input and help!