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Original poster

Rescue dog advice

14 replies

DogAdvice · 25/03/2022 15:37

Hi, I posted too soon the first time and subsequently have lost my post a couple of times, so trying again!

Need some advice and objectivity, please, and possibly to be talked down. 🐾

Adopted a dog from rescue this week, he's 9 (ish). According to rescue, "good with dogs and kids", which was essential from my point of view. All good when meeting him at the centre, and seemed fine with our dog (age 6.) Staff hadn't seen him in a home, as he hadn't been out on foster, but said that they had no concerns about rehoming him with any age of child or any other dog.

He is very sweet and clever, and love him already, but have a heavy feeling that I've made a mistake.

He went for our dog today, over a food item. It was my fault for not lifting it - rescue dog had finished with it, and resident dog went to have a look so rescue dog went for him Sad. I am very experienced with dogs, and know that this a normal dog behaviour that is probably trainable and manageable. It is whether it is likely to escalate, though, and be incompatible with family (children under 10) life where, with the best will in the world, doors are likely to be opened when dogs are eating, for example...

Maybe rescue dog should never have been rehomed with kids or dogs? That's my gut feeling Sad. What should I do, should I call the rescue? Am I massively overreacting? I don't want resident, non-confrontational dog's life to be shit from now on. But I should reiterate that I love rescue dog already and am not looking for reasons for it not to work Sad!

Thanks in advance 🐾

OP posts:
DoWhatYouLike · 25/03/2022 16:04

You've had the dog for just a couple of days then? Give him a chance to settle in! Dogs, as you know, are pack animals. He's yet to find his place in the pack. Dogs are also protective of their food. Poor thing, try to understand him and be patient. It's very early days and he hasn't been used to a home environment, so he's got the adults, kids and resident dog to get used to.

PollyRoulllson · 25/03/2022 16:16

Dogs are not pack animals they are social animals.

Who knows how the situation will progress however you do need to put in basic management in place (and I woud do this as a matter of course when bringing a new dog into a household)

Feed all dogs on their own.- There has to be a safe area where the dogs can eat alone and undisturbed.

Have areas where the dogs can be on their own- use door gates or shut doors (if dogs happy with this)

If new dog is ready for walks - walk on his own (it may be too early to take him out yet)

Limit interaction with existing dog unless all dogs are calm - do not encourage play between them. When they are together you want them to be calm not over aroused to start with.

Some dogs have specific triggers so if they do not experience the triggers they will not react other dogs may generally be more stressed and will react to more things.

My aim would be to have a lot of calm in the house and for both dogs. At least a month or so to assess both dogs.

However I would contact the rescue and report to them.

Is it a big recue with qualified staff? - I would like to know how they assessed your dog and what critieria they use to say ok with dogs and children . It is a bold statement to say for a dog that has only been assessed in a kennel situation (and I guess running in fields with other dogs)

Original poster
DogAdvice · 25/03/2022 16:16

@DoWhatYouLike thank you, I was hoping someone would come along and say something along these lines Smile! We got him on Monday, so only 4 days yes. He's a very lovely boy, and I so hope it has been the right thing for him and for all of us 🐾

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Easterbunnyiswindowshopping · 25/03/2022 16:17

In his eyes maybe regular meals are new to him.
When we had 4 we had to feed 1 apart always.
Surely at least a month to let him settle?

Original poster
DogAdvice · 25/03/2022 16:24

@PollyRoulllson thanks for your reply, I have baby gates etc and been using them for feeding. The rescue is a big, official rescue (reluctant to name on here). Have a feeling the staff really loved this dog and might have been blinded by their wish to get him into a good home, which I can understand, but yes perhaps more checks should have been put in place. Rescue dog is known to have lived with kids in the past...

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Arucanafeather · 25/03/2022 16:33

I would try a dap collar on both dogs too. Dogs are very social animals and need time to adapt to new change. I would be mindful and give it time. I never left our old labradors alone with our young children even though we’d had them from puppies and they were only every totally soft as anything as they both loved food and dogs never view children they live with in the same way as the adults they live on in my experience (I always tell the kids they view them more like fellow dogs to explain why they can’t do the same things with the dogs that we do). But Labradors are big dogs with big mouths and if something did upset them they they could cause damage. Nothing ever came close to happening but we never left them with the kids when under 12. We’ve got a smaller dog so I’m more relaxed about it with our youngest who is still under 12 as the dog couldn’t overpower her.

With dogs that have food guarding issues, we’ve always given them 10 mins on their own twice a day in a safe place on their own to eat. Then all dog food is up and out of the way. We also shut them out of the room when eating ourselves.

bunnygeek · 25/03/2022 16:40

Most big rescues should have post adoption support and you should be able to give them a call to chat through any behaviour that concerns you.

High value treats and food should be offered separately between dogs and the dogs allowed to enjoy without being bothered by kids or the other dog, especially while the new dog settles in.

Original poster
DogAdvice · 25/03/2022 17:04

@Easterbunnyiswindowshopping yes, he wasn't eating well in kennels, but is eating here which is good. I know that he needs a long time to settle, I just don't want him to be in the wrong or stressful environment or for anyone to be at risk, so came on here for objective opinions and advice, thanks Smile

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Original poster
DogAdvice · 25/03/2022 17:06

@bunnygeek thanks, yes have emailed the centre (limited opening hours!) Feel it's something they should know about, as they might have looked for a more specific type of home if they'd known more about him in home environment. I hope it'll be ok, as he's such a lovely boy in lots of ways!

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Original poster
DogAdvice · 25/03/2022 17:12

@Arucanafeather thank you, yes, DAP collars a good suggestion. I am the same about kids and dogs, even when the dogs are bomb proof (such as resident dog.) It's just any sign of aggression or possessiveness, especially in an older dog, rings alarm bells when kids are in the same home, no matter how savvy or knowledgeable you are.

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georgedawes · 25/03/2022 17:28

We had a similar situation but with our dog going for a cat when there was food involved (thankfully the cat was not injured). It was my mistake completely, and although I felt dreadful, 6 years later, all is well.

Feed the new dog separately at all times, he needs to settle in and learn you will feed him whatever and he doesn't need to worry about the other dog taking his food. A lot of it is time, but you have to take all competition away (in his mind) whilst he builds a bond and settles in. No treats or anything around the other dog (or cats, in our situation) meant there was nothing to compete over. I did lots of hand feeding and training too with our dog, on an individual basis, which also seemed to help.

Give it time, lots of space and no unsupervised time with your other dog.

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 25/03/2022 17:59

The dogs are basically strangers at this point, and the new dog is in a brand new home with new people and new sounds and smells. He's still settling in and is probably scared and overwhelmed in equal measure.

They need lots of space. Always feed separately, make sure both dogs have their own beds/areas, encourage calm and don't walk them together yet either.

The new dog was just behaving in a totally normal way - he doesn't know you or your dog - and your dog came up and (in newbies eyes) stuck his nose in where it wasn't wanted. As you admit, this happened because you had both dogs in the same area with food - it's very easily manageable going forward (and may not even be an issue once both dogs settle together properly).

Lots of time and patience is needed with new rescues, as well as lots of separation and space. Good luck! :)

Original poster
DogAdvice · 25/03/2022 19:41

@georgedawes thank you, and glad your little cat was ok and everyone got along fine eventually Smile. I have been feeding the dogs separately, thanks, other than the accidental issue today. And yes shall make extra sure that rescue dog starts feeling secure about there being no competition. I just hope he wouldn't prefer to be/ do better as the only dog in a home 🤞🐾

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Original poster
DogAdvice · 25/03/2022 19:47

@fairylightsandwaxmelts thank you, yes I'm sure rescue boy is still very stressed and overwhelmed, poor thing. Breaks my heart to think of him in kennels for weeks Sad. Hopefully it might become a non-issue eventually, I was hoping some of you would say that Smile! Glad I posted as was upset for both dogs and also anxious about what it could mean with children being around. Rescue dog is generally super-sweet with my kids 🐾

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