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Rottweiler Discussions / Re: I may need a new home for Loki
« on: August 03, 2005, 08:09:07 am »
i really hope you can figure out how to keep Loki. but i know that things like this can be difficult.
we had a similar problem with a large dog and a small dog, but it was far worse. the large dog was actually ATTACKING the smaller dog, rather than just playing too rough. we were really seriously afraid we'd have to get rid of the larger dog (Rosie). i'll spare you all the details, but in the end we were able to keep her. what we did was really looked hard at the situation and figured out what things were setting off the attacks (it was mostly food centered). then we did everything needed to make sure the two dogs would be seperated during times when attacks could occur. we also were able to recognize behavior in BOTH dogs that might trigger an attack and we have an emergency seperation plan for when we see it. we keep a soft choke collar on the larger dog at all times so we can more easily handle her during those times. training has also helped in the situation, as well as a better understanding of pack order and how to keep it establshed (i read some books on it).
one specific suggestion i have is that maybe Loki needs it reaffirmed to her that you are the boss and not her. especially if she is a young dog, as they go thru periods where they test those limits to see if they can break them (just like human kids!). if you give her good training with specific directions to NOT herd and guard Foxy, the situation might be easier to control.
try not to give up on her. i've been there and know it can feel like the right decision sometimes. but i'm sure there's a solution. hope this was a help.
we had a similar problem with a large dog and a small dog, but it was far worse. the large dog was actually ATTACKING the smaller dog, rather than just playing too rough. we were really seriously afraid we'd have to get rid of the larger dog (Rosie). i'll spare you all the details, but in the end we were able to keep her. what we did was really looked hard at the situation and figured out what things were setting off the attacks (it was mostly food centered). then we did everything needed to make sure the two dogs would be seperated during times when attacks could occur. we also were able to recognize behavior in BOTH dogs that might trigger an attack and we have an emergency seperation plan for when we see it. we keep a soft choke collar on the larger dog at all times so we can more easily handle her during those times. training has also helped in the situation, as well as a better understanding of pack order and how to keep it establshed (i read some books on it).
one specific suggestion i have is that maybe Loki needs it reaffirmed to her that you are the boss and not her. especially if she is a young dog, as they go thru periods where they test those limits to see if they can break them (just like human kids!). if you give her good training with specific directions to NOT herd and guard Foxy, the situation might be easier to control.
try not to give up on her. i've been there and know it can feel like the right decision sometimes. but i'm sure there's a solution. hope this was a help.