Need some advice on dogs

[Thtwudbeme]

JanMichael and I had our little Teddy Roosevelt terrier for almost 18 years- she sadly passed away before Covid.

I hated not having a dog- and saw a scroungy yellow thing (part Golden Retriever-- a full on mutt) who was in such pitiful shape that you could see his ribs and backbone. His name is Buddy Threadgoode, Jr. After a year and a half of good food and being an indoor mutt who enjoys TV and chewies....I was still missing my little Scout.

So...I got a puppy. Dill is a Teddy Roosevelt terrier. And yes- I am a librarian, and both Scout and Dill were named after characters in To Kill a Mockingbird.

He's almost 4 months old now, and is a terror. I keep everyone separated by doors and baby gates- but they started getting along. Buddy growled at Dill once. Today, Michael came home from the store with two squeaky toys. Dill couldn't figure out how to get it to squeak, but was having fun trying. We were all in the living room- Buddy was shut in the dining room. I opened the door, and Buddy shot out and grabbed one of the toys.....Dill made a jump for his face, and Buddy grabbed him.

He only has a scratch on his face--- that's it; I am watching him, and heck yes we'll go straight to the vet if we have to. It's been two hours though, and so far so good. No bruising, ate fine, went to the bathroom.

Dill is going to have to go to Dog Academy. He's being good about sit and fetch right now- but, he is aggressive towards Buddy Threadgoode. Our Dr. does not want to neuter Dill until he is 6 months.

Rehoming either one of them is NOT an option. I'll do baby gates, training- AND I have put away all the toys and chewies. They may NOT see them together in the same room.

My question is how will this take? And yes- I am aware- WELL aware that I made some serious mistakes along the way. I should have taken Buddy to a Doggy Daycare to see how he reacted around other dogs before I got Dill. I know that now.

In the meantime, does anyone have any advice they can offer? Suggestions? I am sick about Dill getting bitten- and he is upstairs now in his puppy playpen asleep after dinner/snuggles and fresh bedding. Me? I feel like hell-- like the biggest dope around.

[Tetrachloride]

1. Do you have a yard for digging?

My T was a digger and hunted smells.

If you have some ottomans or bean bags, you can be more face to face, longer moments during discipline and not get a sore back toooo fast.

Let T dog sleep near you?

Suggestions only. I am not pro.

[Thtwudbeme]

2. Yes, we have a full fenced yard :)

And he is sleeping in the playpen for now--- I am just spending lots of time with him, off leash in the yard- and on leash.

Thank you

[CozyMystery]

3. Talk to your vet and

if there is an AKC-related dog training club in your town, talk to the trainers. What you are looking for is a non-punitive (positive) trainer of dogs who are dog-aggressive. The trainer should also be up-to-date on how to train and test dogs for aggression. There are more types: food-related, leash, and human aggression among them.

ASPCA on Aggression:
https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/common-dog-behavior-issues/aggression

Humane Society on Aggression: https://www.animalhumanesociety.org/behavior/aggression-dogs

AKC on Aggression: https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/study-uncovers-factors-behind-dog-aggression/

Link to good books on dog aggression: f https://quickbinge.com/best-books-to-train-your-aggressive-dog/

I like Dr Sophia Yin and Karen Pryor. Don't like Cesar Millan because his alpha dog theories are bunk.

I suggest you read all this stuff so you know about positive training methods and about dog aggression in general. You cannot evaluate trainers, even ones recommended by trusted people, without some knowledge on the subject yourself.

Also, please don't beat yourself up about this. Accidents happen. Make sure you clean Dill's scratch with soap and water. Watch it carefully and take him straight to the vet if the scratch shows any changes: redness, swelling, pus, etc.

I have a soft-coated wheaten terrier, and before that, a wire haired terrier, so I know what the puppies are like. Of course, I had forgotten all that when I got the wheaten after having had a rough collie. Took me 5 months to figure out how my wheaten thinks.

Make sure the positive trainer you hire for Dill is used to working with terriers. Most people around here do not have terriers. I was surprised to find that most trainers don't grok terriers at all.

[Thtwudbeme]

6. I am reading all of your links- thank you!

I am not thrilled with Ceasar either, and wonder how many dogs just went back to their bad habits after the camera crew left.

I love my little brat so much....we live three blocks from our vet- he'll go STRAIGHT in if the scratch shows one sign of infection.

Thank you so much for your answer. I am so upset right now that my shoulders hurt.

[Earthrise]

10. Karen Pryor, yes! Also - Ian Dunbar.

Dunbar got his PhD in animal behavior from U.C. Berkeley and has been working with agrressive dogs for decades.

Dunbar - Treatment and Prevention of Dog Aggression, Biting, and Fighting.
https://www.dunbaracademy.com/courses/dog-aggression

Basic dog training can work wonders - the trainer we took our dog too said the primary purpose of dog training was to learn to communicate with your dog. I didn't understand what she meant until it started working.

The ONE thing - ONLY thing - Ceasar gets right is exercise, exercise, exercise!!! Miles aday if possible, especially for young dogs. Everything else he says is dangerous for dogs and people.

[Tetrachloride]

4. My T kept the closest eye on me for any sign of walks

i had work gloves and hat and shoes as the main clue, not to mention the door.

I would use slowest motion. if i bent my knee a half inch, then he would come running.

So he was ready for any chance to hunt.

hope these anecdotes are a help

[Thtwudbeme]

5. They are!

Thank you. This is my second Teddy!

[Tetrachloride]

7. Swimming?

https://www.thesprucepets.com/teddy-roosevelt-terrier-dog-breed-profile-5183664i

[wnylib]

8. I would continue to keep them separated and

gradually re-introduce them in a setting where they are not able to physically interact other than sniffing. That would mean keeping at least one of them in a carrier, probably Dill since he is smaller. Be present to observe how they react to each other. Let them smell and play with toys that the other has left its scent on, while they are separated. Might reduce possessiveness with toys.
Also, consider swapping their sleeping blankets or cushions while they are separated so they get used to being relaxed enough to sleep with the scent of each other.

Meantime, I would follow through with doggy academy for Dill. Might not hurt for Buddy to take some classes, too.

Things might improve after Dill is neutered. My impression of terriers that I have been around is that they can be possessive, territorial, and fearless, so I don't know how much of Dill's behavior can be modified. You might have more success in getting Buddy to be more tolerant. I don't mean that Buddy should have to put up with attacks from Dill, but it might be possible to teach Buddy not to counterattack as a first action. If Buddy could learn to growl and be intimidating, he might be able to make Dill back off.

Good luck.

[Earthrise]

9. Find a different vet...

If pups as young as 2 months old can be neutered he can be, too.

ASPCA says: While the traditional age for neutering is six to nine months, healthy puppies as young as eight weeks old can be neutered. Dogs can be neutered as adults as well, although there's a slightly higher risk of post-operative complications in older dogs, dogs that are overweight or dogs that have health problems.

Look for other sources of information and call around. Low cost spay/neuter groups are everywhere and you can always make a donation larger than they charge if cost isn't a concern. You might contact the shelter where you got him to ask them about timing of neutering.

[Karadeniz]

11. First, if you can feel two huevos, he can be neutered. Can you all control them on leashes? Each

of you can hold one for walks... they don't need to be side by side. And, do they have head halters that make control easier? They can be tethered to something really heavy...stove or fridge leg... apart to get used to each other's presence. I've heard of using a bath powder ot spray to give them both the same scent, but I haven't tried it.