[Skylark]

I have a black lab/collie mix, Desi. We're also dogsitting a keeshound, Bear. Bear leaves in a couple of days, thank goodness, but she's being a problem. Both dogs hate having their rears sniffed, but both continue to sniff the butt of the other. Desi has been neutered for about 10 years, and Bear has been spayed for at least that long. They sometimes growl at each other and snap, but the frequency is growing.

We try to keep the two seperate, but we can't always do that. Desi is easy enough to deal with, but Bear doesn't hear anything since she's a completely deaf 13 year old dog. We put her in her cage when she's being a *****, but do you have any suggestions on preventing it all together?

 

[kpickell]

hold one dog completely still and let the other sniff until it's satisfied. then switch dogs and repeat the process.

 

[LadyFaile]

some animals just don't get along with each other, like humans. if they don't like each other there's not much you can do to force it.

on the other hand, just try to make them spend time close to each other with a person giving attention to each dog. if they start to get agitated distract them each with their own toy or brush or something. it could just be that your dog is jealous at having another dog get some of your attention, and the older dog could be nervous at being in another's territory.

back when i had a dog, he got along with everyone and all dogs he met outside, but once a friend brought her puppy in to meet him and she freaked out at being on his turf and being the smaller, more vulnerable dog, so she growled and nipped at him which made him jumpy and it was not a pleasant encounter for either

 

[Skylark]

Kpickell,

That might work if it was a one-time-only-then-i'm-satisfied deal, but this seems to be a dozen times a day thing. But Bear leaves early Wednesday morning, so as long as we all can survive the next two days, we'll be fine.

LF,

Desi is definitely jealous, and I've been trying to give him as much attention as I can.

 

[GhostUser]

Try giving Desi more attention than normal when he's around Bear so he associates the positive feelings with Bear. Since this is only a couple of days you don't have much time to make this work though.

When you talk to Desi, try not to sound to troubled...make sure your voice is enthusiastic and say, "Good Desi!" or whatever it is you say. Otherwise, if you're too comforting instead of enthusiastic, Desi may think that this is a negative experience that needs comforting. Good luck to you.