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I’ve been such a f****** idiot :(

17 replies

LinenBox · 04/04/2018 16:48

Will try to keep this short. I adopted our first dog from abroad last year. Things went relatively well and she has settled nicely. She gets on well with other dogs and I always knew we’d get a second, it was just a matter of time. So we stumbled across a puppy, again from abroad, and he came to us 10 days ago. To complicate matters, I also fostered his brother for a week as his first adoption fell through. He’s now gone home but in hindsight, it was a massive mistake to agree to this for various reasons.

Anyway, my existing dog and the new puppy don’t get along as both are resource guarding. I started looking for a behaviourist to help us and now have one booked to come next week. However, she warned me that the dogs are inappropriately matched due to their age (something I didn’t know) and so we’ve been set up to fail. She said I needed to be prepared for this not to work out and got me to think about what I’d do in that scenario - i.e. rehome one of them Sad Obviously she’s just being realistic but I’m heartbroken at the thought of it. I love both dogs.

Another issue I’m having is that the new puppy is developing separation anxiety. I go back to work in a couple of weeks and I’m really worried that we won’t be able to leave him at all.

It’s been such a hard couple of weeks, I’ve got the puppy blues and I’m just thinking what the fuck have I done?! I’m such an idiot.

OP posts:
missbattenburg · 04/04/2018 16:57

What's the age difference in the dogs?

LinenBox · 04/04/2018 17:01

My first dog is 10 months (small breed, just had her first season and due to be spayed end of this month). New dog is 4.5/5 months old (born November last year). I purposefully got a male to go with my female as I read that is the better match. I took advice from other dog owners/rescuers. Nobody mentioned the age thing to me, including the rescue who were fully aware of our circumstances.

OP posts:
Hoddykins · 04/04/2018 17:08

Can I just ask why you say "rehome one of them" obviously you have to rehome the new puppy and not the resident dog!!!

I work for a rescue and see this so often, it's the cruelest thing I can think of, rehoming things older dog who's been there longer for the cute puppy!

Please don't be that person!

It's a heartbreaking decision and I'm sorry your having to go through it, very often boys and girls don't get along, but please please please don't think of rehoming the older dog and keeping the new model! X

Hoddykins · 04/04/2018 17:09

Just saw that the resident dog is younger, so ignore the part about older dog! But if she's been there longer it's not really fair to be thinking of rehoming her instead x

ThisIsTheFirstStep · 04/04/2018 17:10

Agree with Hoddykins, it’s heartbreaking when that happens.

Wolfiefan · 04/04/2018 17:10

Google litter mate syndrome. The new puppy needs to find a new home.

Sarahlou63 · 04/04/2018 17:12

I'm gobsmacked that the behaviourist has already suggested rehoming one before she's even seen them! And I don't get why dogs c6 months apart shouldn't get on??? I have 7 dogs - aged 11,9, 6 (ish) 5,5,4 and 10 months and have never heard of that...

BiteyShark · 04/04/2018 17:13

Isn't the age issue because you have effectively got two puppies (younger dog still being an adolescent)?

If so then you need to do lots of individual training and manage their interactions. It's going to be hard work.

Sarahlou63 · 04/04/2018 17:14

Oh, missed the sexes - get them both done ASAP.

LinenBox · 04/04/2018 17:15

If I had to rehome one of them (it would be an absolute last resort), I would rehome the most appropriate dog. My first dog is not keen on my children but we manage that at the moment. If it came to it, it might be kindest to rehome her plus she small and cute so would find a home easier. Or, if I could find an appropriate home for the puppy, it would have to be him. He would be harder to rehome though as he’s not small and cute and is a breed that is over represented in kennels. They will both be older in those circumstances as I’m not about to give up until we’ve tried everything. I love them both.

I’m feeling just awful about this and so so upset.

OP posts:
LinenBox · 04/04/2018 17:19

Sorry, x-post. I’ve heard of littermate syndrome but thought it applied to puppies of a similar age. My bitch is already booked in for spaying, he’s currently too young but will be done as soon as he’s old enough.

The behaviourist is APDT qualified. She’s not saying it’s a definite but warned me it could be a possibly that they will never get along and pushed me to think about what I’d do if it became clear that was the case.

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 04/04/2018 17:20

Most people suggest not getting a second dog until the first is about two years old. If the second pup has separation anxiety and you work then you're not the home for that dog.

LinenBox · 04/04/2018 17:23

Yes, that is my thinking too Woolfie but it’s obviously only early days and I’m working on it with him.

Just the combination of everything and I feel so shitty about it all.

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 04/04/2018 17:25

Honestly I couldn't risk litter mate syndrome. I know dogs can end up badly injured that way.

scattyhattie · 04/04/2018 20:03

10 days isn't very long for them to get used to each other & often the older dog doesn't appreciate puppies behavior as it tends to be full on & rude. When my older 6month puppy came he was getting grumbled (& snapped at anytime he got close to my lucher), the greyhounds just gave him cold shoulder & needed me to save them. It went on for about 2-3weeks, after that he'd learnt some boundaries & they eventually started to him be near even a bit of biteyface play.
Its possible if she's just had a season that may also be effecting things.
What resources do they tend to guard?

LinenBox · 04/04/2018 20:53

Thank you scattie, I’m trying really hard to keep things in perspective. It’s really only been four days as we had to delay proper introductions due to the foster. I think having two puppies was too much for my resident dog and set up a stressful environment.

The dogs can tolerate each other when there are no resources although my bitch is trying very hard to dominate the puppy. She will frequently mount him, pin him with low growls and chases him. Once she has him on the floor, she will sniff his ear until he tries to get up. He tries to engage her in play but is clearly nervous of her. If either have a chew or a toy, my bitch will try to get it off him and he will growl and snap which instantly descends into a fight. They’ve never actually injured each other though although we split them up immediately. Sometimes one being on the sofa has set them off.

I called the behaviourist with a positive attitude to getting these issues resolved. My guess is she’s had clients with unrealistic goals as she spent a good deal of time telling me how I must put the work in and that she is teaching me (which is exactly what I wanted from a behaviourist). She also went through my reasons for wanting a second dog etc. which is fine although I did feel a bit scrutinised. I think she was trying to help me be realistic and have a back up plan but I have anxiety and it’s been a very difficult couple of weeks from issues picking up the puppies, through to my new pup being injured by the brother and requiring vet treatment, that it’s the final straw and im feeling really shitty that a) I’ve caused this abd b) it might not actually work out Sad

OP posts:
freshstart24 · 05/04/2018 10:07

OP you adopted new Dog with the very best intentions and now you are doing all you can to resolve this. Be kind to yourself.

I think the behaviourist was just cutting to the chase so that you all know where you stand. She sounds like she knows her stuff and hopefully she will help you relive the situation.

Maybe she sees some irresponsible people who expect a quick fix and finds these people hard to work with. You are clearly not this type of person and I'm sure she was relieved to discover that.

I would be straight with her- tell her that resolving this is your priority and you are prepared to work at it, knowing that there is a chance it cannot be fixed and a Dog may need refining. Also tell her that you struggle with anxiety so that she can work with you, in a way that works for you.

Good luck OP. You will do what is right for these dogs, whatever that turns out to be.

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