minibull
Member
We adopted 5-year old Winston about a month ago. 4-year old Buttercup has never been good with other dogs, but Winston needed a home and we hoped things would be different with an EB. We were wrong. We've worked with a trainer and are doing Nothing in Life is Free mostly with good results. They take walks, baths, get treats, go potty, and run to bark at outside noises together. They don't fight over food.
We've eliminated most fights except one recurring pattern. I'd like to better understand what's going on because I just don't get it:
Any time we're giving Buttercup focused hugs/attention or lap time she stiffens up and starts growling at Winston if he's in the room. Then it's game on and I have to pull them off of each other. I don't see any evidence that Winston is doing *anything* to start these fights, though I wonder if I'm missing some signal from him. The stiffening/growling really do seem to start with Buttercup every single time.
Our trainer suggested we spend time loving and petting each dog while the other one stays in the crate. I tried it today and Buttercup stiffened up and growled while I pet her. I had to clang muffin tins to break her focus. At least Winston was in the crate so no fighting ensued. We'll see how it works out but I am super tired of breaking up fights and not being able to pet my own dogs when both are present.
They're both intact and we are planning to spay and neuter but I'm worried it won't be enough. They don't play together and I'm starting to seriously consider rehoming but we adore them both.
We've eliminated most fights except one recurring pattern. I'd like to better understand what's going on because I just don't get it:
Any time we're giving Buttercup focused hugs/attention or lap time she stiffens up and starts growling at Winston if he's in the room. Then it's game on and I have to pull them off of each other. I don't see any evidence that Winston is doing *anything* to start these fights, though I wonder if I'm missing some signal from him. The stiffening/growling really do seem to start with Buttercup every single time.
Our trainer suggested we spend time loving and petting each dog while the other one stays in the crate. I tried it today and Buttercup stiffened up and growled while I pet her. I had to clang muffin tins to break her focus. At least Winston was in the crate so no fighting ensued. We'll see how it works out but I am super tired of breaking up fights and not being able to pet my own dogs when both are present.
They're both intact and we are planning to spay and neuter but I'm worried it won't be enough. They don't play together and I'm starting to seriously consider rehoming but we adore them both.