Dogster Answers › Behavior & Training › Other Behavior & Training

Pearl

My puppy Pearl is scared of our other dog how can I put them together safely plz help.

Pearl is scared of our huge 3 year old lab but we want to indroduce them to each other but how?


Asked by Pearl on Nov 5th 2009 Tagged introducepuppytobigdog in Other Behavior & Training
 Report this question Get this question's RSS feed Send this question to a friend


Status

  • Cast your vote for which answer you think is best!

Answers

Yumi

try having a seperation, like a gate or something where they can see each other's movements and smell their scents ... then when put together, they'll be more relaxed and should not be so afraid of each other


Yumi answered 3 weeks, 4 days ago. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 1 Report this answer


Lola Penelope

It takes time. Do the gate thing for a while and when you have the lab and Pearl together make sure both are well exercised and relaxed before having them in the same room. I'd try it when the lab is in a relaxed state. Don't push the puppy to much, let her get her courage up and her self confidence. How old is Pearl and how long have you had her?


Lola Penelope answered 3 weeks, 4 days ago. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 1 Report this answer


Junior

Everything should be at the puppy's pace. Don't force your dog into meeting others, this is a method called flooding and only stresses the dog and makes learning difficult.

The two should meet at a distance first and you should play a game with your puppy. As your puppy gets more comfortable you get a little closer to your bigger dog and you keep doing this until she isn't afraid of him. This is called countercondition and desensitization.

It takes lot of time but it has lasting results, unfortunately because of post character limit I can't post a full step by step guide but feel free to visit k9domain.web.officelive.com where you can find more information about how to help fearful dogs!

Best of wishes!


Junior answered 3 weeks, 3 days ago. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


Echo

I saw this on animal planet before so this is easy for me to answer...when you first bring them both together have them both on leashes..while they are being introduced, give them treats and lots of praise so they have a good/happy time when they see eachother...than do the same some more throughout the day...and pretty soon within a day or two depending on how they do together you can unleash them...and continue to give them praise...and pretty soon you should have the best of friends !!! good luck


Echo answered 3 weeks, 2 days ago. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


Katie

Hi Pearl,

I agree with the other posts, especially about making sure the Lab is well-exercised and tired out. If your Lab is on leash, straining to meet the puppy, take him/her for another 30-minute run to lower that energy level.

You could also try meeting off-leash, in a fenced yard, where the puppy can escape under a chair if the Lab gets too eager. Never push or pull either dog toward the other or away from the other. Make sure they have a chance to greet from the side/behind. This can be hard for humans to remember, since we like to meet others face-to-face, with a direct gaze. This is a very threatening, aggressive stance to a dog, so make sure both animals can move freely and approach indirectly. If they are on leashes, make sure the leash is loose. Don't pull on the leash, because this triggers an oppositional reaction - in other words, pulling a dog back makes him/her strive forward, which will be seen as scary to the other dog.

Read The Other End of the Leash for more info


Katie answered 3 weeks, 1 day ago. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


Related Questions

More Questions in This Category