Re-home or not???

Re: Re-home or not???

Natasha Schneider — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 20:46:17 GMT

How old are the pups now? I would probably wait until the pup's are gone, bitches can behave so differently whilst they are still nursing and being v.protective. As someone said above it could be that now she is just finding her place within the pack now and picking on the weaker male.

I would look at how the other dogs interact with her when she is having time out from the pups, you can tell a lot from their body language not just hers. I haven't read her history but saw that you said there about no negative re-enforcement which is right but things like giving her a firm NO shouldn't be avoided if she is telling other dogs off unnecessarily and getting above her station. It is very difficult with a rescue dog not to molly cuddle them and their past will influence their bonds and the way they will react to things like raised voices ect but it's also important not to let them get away with misbehaving because of their past. Also you can always get advice on the phone with rescue centres behaviour lines. (It charges per minute but is probably cheaper than a consult!)

Natasha

Re: Re-home or not???

Kerry Spain — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 23:29:14 GMT

I'm with Juliet on this one, give her the benefit of the doubt and see if the situation resolves when pups have gone.

Re: Re-home or not???

thebeestingbutterfly — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 23:25:37 GMT

This is going to sound pretty heartless but my view is you should probably start looking for a new home for her.

I think you have done an excellent job with all you have done... ultimately you have gone above and beyond to help this little lady and i think that is fantastic.

I would hate to read a few months down the line that you have come home to a bloodbath and your little chap torn up.

I have seen a few "dog attacks" with co-habiting pets. And the owners have felt terrible afterwards.

If you have the time and funds to dedicate to getting a behaviourist in then its worth a shot, but theres something about the situation shes not happy with. its a difficult one but i'm sure there will be a suitable home somewhere.

good luck with her! x

Re: Re-home or not???

Juliet Drummond DAVN (med) RVN D32/33 — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 22:48:08 GMT

it's a hard one......she may settle once pups are gone (protective mom?) and she is neutered.

or she maybe starting to find her place in the pack, and is picking on one of the weaker boys??

she probably needs a professional behaviour consult.

the problem is who do you re-home her too? as previous post said, probably need to be a one dog house, but not too many new dog owners will be willing to take on a dog with 'baggage'

i really hope it works out for you all.

Re: Re-home or not???

BengalcatRVN — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 22:42:18 GMT

Used to know of a bitch that turned on one male dog (and made the other 2 males turn on him too, all were fine before she came in)
Turned out he had a medical condition, was epileptic. She was kept, he was re-homed. Very sad :(
Mind you, she was entire and so were the boys.

Sorry I can't offer real advice. Maybe she needs a nice home as an only dog once the pubs are weaned?