I've written in before about Josephine and the Pugs. We have had a lot of changes around here and a week ago decided to hire a trainer to come to the house.
The biggest change has been my 2 oldest Pugs have gone to the bridge. At over 15 and over 12 I tell myself they had good lives but it still hurts and miss them every day. The vet came to the house to help with their passing and the other 2 Pugs and Josephine got to say good bye to them as well. It was as calm and peaceful as it was possible to be.
Another change is lack of outdoor and walking time. It's been HOT really really hot here and it's been impossible to get enough walking or yard time to wear Josephine out. We are also have a horrid season for ticks. I've treated the yard and all the dogs and still the evil things show up. Living where I do that makes it difficult to walk her in the shade under the trees in the grass. I don't want her to get sick from a tick bite and I don't want to get sick either.
Our family unit now is Mommy Artist, Daddy Disabled, Mercury Pug, Callie Pug and Josephine EB. Mercury and Callie will be 8 in October, Josephine will be 6 months in August. Josephine has stopped biting Mommy and Daddy YAY. She has reduced but not stopped the biting of Callie and Mercury. She more does a mouthing bumping action on their cheeks and seems to just try and tug at their legs rather than dragging or biting down. The Pugs put up with some of this but they both can get overwhelmed as she has so much energy and never stops moving.
Our major issue has been Callie, who up until a month ago I would have said was a stuffy we had to feed, suddenly she is the aggressor. She will chase Josephine and push push push until Josephine reacts. Then Callie plays the victim. She is like this little Tasmanian devil at times, growling, hissing, biting, charging, wiggling, etc. There are 2 times a day that seem to be the worst, first thing in the morning, they are all fresh and excited about the day. Then in the evening when we sit down to watch television. I'm afraid someone is going to get hurt so I contacted my vet and she gave me the name of a trainer that will come to the house and see them interact in their own environment.
We have started the nothing is free and positive food training. Josephine is amazing, so smart. First thing the trainer taught me was the Call Out, we use PUPPIES, loud and high. Josephine knows already in less than a week, in fact in less than 2 days, when I say that stop what you are doing and come to Mommy and you will get a treat. She even sits now when she comes to me. Callie on the other hand has learned that Josephine will "give up" and run to Mommy when I say it and she cuts Josephine off from getting to me and bites at her until Josephine responds thus breaking the training. Callie gets put in time out and Josephine gets walked through, come, sit, down, etc to let her understand the commands. I have asked the trainer to address this issue on her next visit.
Josephine also has the habit of bumping her snout against their faces and puts her feet and head on top of the pugs since she is now taller and bigger than they are. She has issues with knowing boundaries and how much force to use. The trainer is helping with this by using the call out PUPPIES, the warning TAKE IT EASY, time out for the aggressor and treats for the one that follows commands. It is hard to know when playtime is getting ready to become fight time, I'm just glad Josephine is as laid back as she is because if she wanted to she could really hurt Callie who is half her size.
Josephine and Callie are OBSESSED with each other. Callie checks on her first thing in the morning, last thing at night, when I walk into a room she could care less about me but immediately looks for Josephine. A lot of the time they kiss, nudge, sit, even lie next to each other just fine. Callie often mimics the stuff Josephine does and they will even eat out of the same bowl if I let them! Callie is a tad fat.. excuse me... fluffy, so I don't encourage this as I try to control her diet. Callie has always hated frozen bananas (they make nice treats) but Josephine adores them so now when she gets one Callie has to have some too and thinks frozen bananas are the best thing ever.
The trainer has me teaching Josephine the call out which she gets perfectly, sit, down, come, find, and watch. She is doing really well but Callie is a little brat and insists on interrupting and making Josephine do what she wants not what I want. Callie is doing a lot of time out. Oh and Mercury just wants to be left alone and for Josepjine to promise to never touch his paws, she knows he hates his paws being touched and will lay there and poke and prod them until he loses it and squeals. He is deaf so I can't teach him the call out which complicates things.
I've been reading through some of the lines here about aggression and integrating dogs and frankly the stories scare me. I worry I am going to have to keep them separate for the rest of their lives, that we won't be able to all snuggle on the couch or bed and watch TV, that one day Josephine will just say ENOUGH and really hurt Callie. I won't get rid of Callie or Mercury I've had them since they were 2 weeks old.
I don't want to even think about getting rid of Josephine as she really is a sweet dog, a little exuberant at times but she's a puppy, and when the Pugs aren't around she is calm, laid back, loving, gentle and I love her to bits. She will let me put my hand in her mouth and fish around for contraband, she lays with her back against me and hardly fusses all while I dremel her nails, let's me clean under tail, and if I beg tolerates me doing her ears, she listens to me 90% of the time when I tell her to do stuff, the other 10% she knows what I want but just wants to show me she is a Bulldog and stubborn just in case I forget and then does what I want.
Should I be worried that the aggression stories are the norm? Those of you that have different breeds and different ages... how do you get them to get along?
Sorry it got so long just wanted as much detail as I could give.
T
The biggest change has been my 2 oldest Pugs have gone to the bridge. At over 15 and over 12 I tell myself they had good lives but it still hurts and miss them every day. The vet came to the house to help with their passing and the other 2 Pugs and Josephine got to say good bye to them as well. It was as calm and peaceful as it was possible to be.
Another change is lack of outdoor and walking time. It's been HOT really really hot here and it's been impossible to get enough walking or yard time to wear Josephine out. We are also have a horrid season for ticks. I've treated the yard and all the dogs and still the evil things show up. Living where I do that makes it difficult to walk her in the shade under the trees in the grass. I don't want her to get sick from a tick bite and I don't want to get sick either.
Our family unit now is Mommy Artist, Daddy Disabled, Mercury Pug, Callie Pug and Josephine EB. Mercury and Callie will be 8 in October, Josephine will be 6 months in August. Josephine has stopped biting Mommy and Daddy YAY. She has reduced but not stopped the biting of Callie and Mercury. She more does a mouthing bumping action on their cheeks and seems to just try and tug at their legs rather than dragging or biting down. The Pugs put up with some of this but they both can get overwhelmed as she has so much energy and never stops moving.
Our major issue has been Callie, who up until a month ago I would have said was a stuffy we had to feed, suddenly she is the aggressor. She will chase Josephine and push push push until Josephine reacts. Then Callie plays the victim. She is like this little Tasmanian devil at times, growling, hissing, biting, charging, wiggling, etc. There are 2 times a day that seem to be the worst, first thing in the morning, they are all fresh and excited about the day. Then in the evening when we sit down to watch television. I'm afraid someone is going to get hurt so I contacted my vet and she gave me the name of a trainer that will come to the house and see them interact in their own environment.
We have started the nothing is free and positive food training. Josephine is amazing, so smart. First thing the trainer taught me was the Call Out, we use PUPPIES, loud and high. Josephine knows already in less than a week, in fact in less than 2 days, when I say that stop what you are doing and come to Mommy and you will get a treat. She even sits now when she comes to me. Callie on the other hand has learned that Josephine will "give up" and run to Mommy when I say it and she cuts Josephine off from getting to me and bites at her until Josephine responds thus breaking the training. Callie gets put in time out and Josephine gets walked through, come, sit, down, etc to let her understand the commands. I have asked the trainer to address this issue on her next visit.
Josephine also has the habit of bumping her snout against their faces and puts her feet and head on top of the pugs since she is now taller and bigger than they are. She has issues with knowing boundaries and how much force to use. The trainer is helping with this by using the call out PUPPIES, the warning TAKE IT EASY, time out for the aggressor and treats for the one that follows commands. It is hard to know when playtime is getting ready to become fight time, I'm just glad Josephine is as laid back as she is because if she wanted to she could really hurt Callie who is half her size.
Josephine and Callie are OBSESSED with each other. Callie checks on her first thing in the morning, last thing at night, when I walk into a room she could care less about me but immediately looks for Josephine. A lot of the time they kiss, nudge, sit, even lie next to each other just fine. Callie often mimics the stuff Josephine does and they will even eat out of the same bowl if I let them! Callie is a tad fat.. excuse me... fluffy, so I don't encourage this as I try to control her diet. Callie has always hated frozen bananas (they make nice treats) but Josephine adores them so now when she gets one Callie has to have some too and thinks frozen bananas are the best thing ever.
The trainer has me teaching Josephine the call out which she gets perfectly, sit, down, come, find, and watch. She is doing really well but Callie is a little brat and insists on interrupting and making Josephine do what she wants not what I want. Callie is doing a lot of time out. Oh and Mercury just wants to be left alone and for Josepjine to promise to never touch his paws, she knows he hates his paws being touched and will lay there and poke and prod them until he loses it and squeals. He is deaf so I can't teach him the call out which complicates things.
I've been reading through some of the lines here about aggression and integrating dogs and frankly the stories scare me. I worry I am going to have to keep them separate for the rest of their lives, that we won't be able to all snuggle on the couch or bed and watch TV, that one day Josephine will just say ENOUGH and really hurt Callie. I won't get rid of Callie or Mercury I've had them since they were 2 weeks old.
I don't want to even think about getting rid of Josephine as she really is a sweet dog, a little exuberant at times but she's a puppy, and when the Pugs aren't around she is calm, laid back, loving, gentle and I love her to bits. She will let me put my hand in her mouth and fish around for contraband, she lays with her back against me and hardly fusses all while I dremel her nails, let's me clean under tail, and if I beg tolerates me doing her ears, she listens to me 90% of the time when I tell her to do stuff, the other 10% she knows what I want but just wants to show me she is a Bulldog and stubborn just in case I forget and then does what I want.
Should I be worried that the aggression stories are the norm? Those of you that have different breeds and different ages... how do you get them to get along?
Sorry it got so long just wanted as much detail as I could give.
T
I know how hot it is outside-as it has been the same here-can not stay outside for very long. Perhaps keeping Josephine on a leash all the time,and letting it drag. When she starts really bugging the pugs too much,get a hold of the leash,telling her no bite,stick a nylabone in her mouth, and say "here,bite this!" Perhaps you can start throwing a ball against the door,or somewhere for her,teach her to bring it back, and spend some of her energy. Most bullie pups get the "zoomies" twice a day, morning and just before bedtime! She is just full of energy,and taking it out on the poor pugs. You have to step in and find a way that YOU can help her redirect her energy,so less will be taken out on the pugs. That is why I like having two pups at once! The older dogs aren't interested in rough "puppy play". If you find a way to use up her extra energy-she will eventually grow up more and believe it or not-start to settle down! Play, Mama,play!!
Don't give up
-someday you will be glad you didn't!
[MENTION=17037]Pugaboo[/MENTION]
