Is Conan dog aggressive? Has he ever caused a fight?

I only ask because the snap could simply be dog for "get out of here, kid!". Unless there is other posturing I personally wouldn't worry about it.

Some dogs are just bigger in there jestures when communicating. Particulary small dogs.

Tasha is in love with my neighbors yorkie. She will flop over on the ground and whine in desperation to play with him. She makes herself as small as possible.

If he comes over to her, she gets psyched and moves too quickly for his comfort. He will give a little snap toward her chin and walk away again. Then she will flop back on the ground and the whole ritual starts over.

It has been this way between them for a year. It probably always will be.

I was just thinking more about this topic.

Something I have learned in owning Tasha is that as annoying as a young, high drive dog can be to us, they can also be annoying to other dogs.

She has gotten more preemptive warnings from older dogs than any other dog I have owned. They can definitely sense eachothers energy levels. So even if they haven't played yet, Conan might just be giving her the rules.

Tasha can and will play far longer and harder than most other dogs. In fact there has only been one dog that we have met that will outmatch her in his play style. He happens to be a one year old, intact DDR male.

She does the same thing to him that other dogs do to her. Little warning snaps, the occasional head butt. It clear from the rest of their body language that they aren't going to fight. She's just telling him to take it down a notch.

I'm not saying to cut them loose and let them work it out, but based on what your saying I think it would be safe to start doing more stuff together. Don't allow harassment from either of them, but from what you say I wouldn't expect any real aggression, either.

What I did with Kipp and Kenzi was work with them both separately on a solid, highly rewarding calm down before introducing them.

Kipp has some dog issues and excited bouncing dogs nearby tend put him over his threshold. And Kenzi was a bouncing 9 m/o. So at first Kipp wouldn't relax enough to realize that Kenzi was harmless. And Kenzi wouldn't relax enough to give Kipp a chance to meet her in a calm state.

After each of them had a solid calm down, then I brought them both into the living room and sat on the floor in between them with a bowl of kibble. I spent a half hour just sitting there rewarding calm behavior. In that time they had had an opportunity to be around each other without the stress of interacting. Kenzi was calm and Kipp figured out that she was no big deal.

I think I did this twice and by the time I was done they were totally fine with each other. Kipp had gone from very uptight to relaxed and playful with Kenzi.

Hey Katie, it sounds like you’re doing a great job!

As you know, scent is big in their world too. Have you tried taking a towel and running it all over Danni (yup, around the butt and groin area too) and let Conan hang out with it? I may even mark and reward him sniffing it. Have him sniff it before a car ride, before walks, before a meal – all good things happen when Danni’s scent is around.

I would also reward any neutral glances in Danni’s direction. He sees Danni and it brings on good things (treats/toys) – not if they’re together of course, but if separated and in view of each other. Having one on either side of a fence is a good way for a more unconfined meeting if you’re anticipating problems.

Have you got a neutral place that neither has been to? Introducing new, fun places together will imprint that positive association as well.

Can you take Conan to the club with you too? Maybe Garrett could watch him on the sidelines as he takes in all the excitement. I’ll bet your club would have some suggestions too.

It’s understandable that Conan is a bit territorial; it was his home before Danni got there. I’d work hard to show him that the addition of Danni has made his life better.

Keep up the great work!

Thanks everyone!! Glad to know I was worrying a little too much about it. I think Lauren is right that Danni is obnoxious to Conan. That's also why I've been so hesitant with them.

I'll keep doing what I'm doing. I can't take Conan to club with me because I can't even fit a crate for Danni in my car. I bought a big wire one so I can collapse it and Danni stands on that until we get to the club and I take it out and set it up. It's a nightmare and a PITA. I've been looking on Craigslist for a cheaper older SUV type car, because I desperately need one!!