Moon's Graden

Let me tell you right up front that I am no dog trainer, behaviorist, or the like.  I am just a dog owner.  But, reading you statement above I have a few questions.

Last week he showed up, and already ALL attempts to find the owner has failed?

On top of that, in one short week, you have him fixed?  It all seems just a little too fast from where I'm sitting.

Unfortunately, not being a dog expert, I can't help the problem.  I just thought I'd let you know that I found the 'speed' of things and the 'giving up' on the owners way too fast.

Good Luck.

C***te

 So all was peaceable in your kingdom 'til this guy showed up? If it were
MY home, I'd say, "play nice, or find somewhere else to play."
Ask yourself seriously how comitted you are to adopting this dog. It's
your life. If you decide to keep a pet on a permanent basis, for your
sake, and the dog's sake, decide how comitted you are.
 I believe that what he is displaying is territoriality inside your house.
What does that mean? That he thinks he has a right to stake out places in
your home where other dogs can't go. He does Not have that right. You have
to assume the leadership role, and tell everyone to share. I believe that
Lynn K. has a dog like this. Please consult with her about details in
dealing with a territorial dog.

: Hi,
: I am new to this newsgroup, but I need help urgently. We have a 5 yr old
: male Bichon $& a 2 year old female Shi-tsu. They get along wonderfully. Both
: are nuetered. Last week a stray Sheppherd mix adopted us. He is a loveable
: friendly dog. After all attempts to find his owner failed, we decided to keep
: him.
: The problem is he is aggressive with our other two dogs, mostly in the house.
: We had him neutered hoping this would help. We take all the dogs out together
: in the yard and all is fine. In the house our Bichon is affraid of him and
: cowers in the corner. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Please

: Thanks,
: Sally

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Elaine Gallegos

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Hi,
I am new to this newsgroup, but I need help urgently. We have a 5 yr old
male Bichon $& a 2 year old female Shi-tsu. They get along wonderfully. Both
are nuetered. Last week a stray Sheppherd mix adopted us. He is a loveable
friendly dog. After all attempts to find his owner failed, we decided to keep
him.
The problem is he is aggressive with our other two dogs, mostly in the house.
We had him neutered hoping this would help. We take all the dogs out together
in the yard and all is fine. In the house our Bichon is affraid of him and
cowers in the corner. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Please

Thanks,
Sally

:
: We have a 5 yr old
: male Bichon $& a 2 year old female Shi-tsu. They get along wonderfully. Both
: are nuetered. Last week a stray Sheppherd mix adopted us. (snip)
: he is aggressive with our other two dogs, mostly in the house.
: We had him neutered hoping this would help.

Neutering will help lots of things, but it isn't like an on/off switch.
It takes a while for the hormones to get out of his system and I doubt
that it is the source of your problem, anyway, since he has been aggressive
to both the male and female.

You are asking too much to simply expect a dog off the streets to
peacefully integrate into an existing home situation with other dogs in a
week, without clear indication from you of what the rules are.  You need
to limit the length of time the new dog is in contact with the existing
dogs, supervise all interactions, and quickly correct any unacceptable
behavior.

I would get a crate and let him become used to it, letting him join
the other dogs in a room with you and your existing pets for periods of
no more than 20 minutes at first.  Put him back in the crate before
he causes a problem.  Increase the time, and number of times per day,
when there are no problems.  If he shows aggression, drop back on time
and frequency. (And correct him immediately, of course.  You may want to
have him wear a short tab or lead from his collar so that you are in a
position to quickly administer a correction.)

At the same time, start lots of obedience sessions and active play with
him.   A young shepherd mix has whole bunches more energy than your
existing dogs, and will continue to be a problem without sufficient
daily exercise.

You don't say how old this dog you think this dog is or what he knows.
One of the first things I would teach him is down/stay.  30 minutes in
a long down each night can be a wonderful tool to calming him and making
him control his aggression and recognize you as the rule-setter.  Sit
on his lead and keep him at your feet while you watch television, if
necessary.  

Lynn K.
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