Quote:
>Hi,
>Can someone help us please. My son brought home the ten week female mastiff to
>the home of the 6 year old German Shepherd, our house.
>The german shepherd growls at her and in general is upset over her presence.
>Any suggestions as to how to have them get along.
>Also, she will only be here for a week. Is it possible that when she returns
>for the summer she will be able to handle herself with him - that is and I hate
>the thoughts of it but could they have one fight and then that be in.
Seems tome you should have introduced them on neutral ground and
brought them into the house together. That "might" have helped a
little. I would also guess that your German Shepherd has not had
formal obedience training which would include hopefully interaction
with many other dogs. If not - too bad.
Remember also that is has been the Shepherd's home and he/she "is" the
Alpha dog. This dog might never accept any dog. If it does happen it
might take a tremendous amount of work on your part and the help of
some knowledgeable dog trainer.
If you are wise you will never ever leave these two alone and make
arrangements as many of us have to, to keep separate areas for the
dogs.That means very secure separate areas in the back yard, crating
one at a time if necessary in the house. Never feeding them in sight
of the other. Never doing anything to make them jealous at all.
If there "is" ever a fight, you really will have only yourself to
blame. Dog fights are a preventable happening. Humans who get in the
middle of such things to try to break it up often get severely injured
themselves.
It is not a fact of being "able to handle herself" since that sort of
tells me you just want them to get along and plan to put them
together. That's not how things work most of the time unfortunately.
They are not humans and don't think like us - however much we wish
they did.
Believe me you don't want to see a serious fight between large dogs
such as this. Ever!
Prevent it now or don't bring the Mastiff home. Easy as that.
Liz
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