new dog

[bcjake]

We were contacted about an Australian Shepherd that needs a new home. Without going into the long boring details, the people brought the dog over. We're guessing he's about 2-3 years old, around 40-50 lb. (haven't put him ons a scale yet) and sweet as can be. He smells, but gets along great with out kids and 9 month old border collie. The problem is both dogs are male, not fixed and the border collie is trying to "mount" the new guy. Aside from a general vet visit, I'm not putting alot of money into the new guy until we feel comfortable with him (which we have no indication he will be an issue.)

I'm planning on calling the vet tomorrow and make arrangements to get the BC neutered, something that needs to be done anyway. My question: what can we do about trying to keep the border collie from humping the Aussie?

 

[Zoom]

The BC is trying to tell the Aussie how the heirarchy is going to be. If the Aussie allows it, let them be, unless it gets to be excessive. Most dogs will give a couple quick humps and wander off.

If it starts to become a problem, tell the BC to "leave it" (if he knows the command) and draw his attention to something else.

Congrats on adopting an Aussie! I'd like to hear the long, boring details.

 

[bcjake]

So far, he seems to be well mannered. He doesn't try to fight off the border collie, but he does tend to retreat. As far as dominance, well, Jake try to to mount other dogs at obedience class. I figured he just needs a woman

His story is this: We were put in touch with a family that took this dog in more or less as a rescue from another nearby family (their kids had been dating, which is the relation, not how the dog came into being.) The first family make the mistake many make with a dog like this: got it for the kid and now she doesn't want it. The first family went as far as dumping it off, letting it loose and even throwing rocks at him to get him to leave. He would end up at the second family's house often and they finally said they'd take him after the first family threatened to take him out and shoot him... bastards. The second family couldn't keep him, so they put an ad in the paper and someone contact me on it. Though I can understand why people get rid of these dogs, I can't imagine why someone would be cruel to this dog... He's a big sweetheart. From what we've seen so far, he just needs love, which if all pans out he will get here. My 2 year old thinks he is her b-day present, as hie b-day party was the same day they brought him over. Please understand, that's NOT why he is here. THe date is only conicidence. If someone can tell me how to post a photo of him, I'll do so. His name is Chance, as in he is getting a second chance and we are taking a chance with him...

 

[Jynx]

awww what a sad story and I am glad its having a happy ending!

I have aussies, and they can be great big mushy dogs, but also a chore at times *vbg*.

Just wanted to say congrats on your new addition and thank you for giving him a second Chance, I'm sure he'll reward you over and over.

Diane

 

[bcjake]

for some reason, the old ABBA song "Take a Chance on Me" is stuck in my head. stupid disco...

 

[Zoom]

If you go to a hosting site like www.photobucket.com, you can easily upload the pictures to there and then copy/paste the tags to a post here and voila!

I too have an Aussie. :) Today is a "chore" day with him...must be the weather.

 

[bcjake]

names

we spent more time naming the last pup than we did on both of our human children combined. We're still going through a list of names. Any suggestions. His previous name was Hooter. It will be changed. Here's what we've come up with.

Chance
Logan
Dakota
Ozzy
Bear

Galacticus is definitely out (a scfi nut friend suggested that. There is nothing to suggest he's on a conquest of the universe... just the food bowl.)

Chance really makes since and fits the situation, but somehow, I dunno. I just don't quite like it.

The wife likes either Chance or Logan. Bear is too silly to me. Ozzy is an odd name, but fits the breed. We're open to other ideas.

 

[Zoom]

I'd have to see him before I could make a decision. I almost named my Aussie "Remy" until I spent a little more time with him and realized that he was a "Sawyer" through and through.

 

[bcjake]

bit of a serious question... Jake, who as noted earlier, is about 1/3-1/2 the size of the new Aussie, has been nipping at him and chasing him out of the kitchen, where some of the treats and toys are usually on the floor. He's chased him away from the food bowl quite a bit tonight and is really turning into a butt.

I know they will establish dominance and its easy to see who the alpha is (Jake). What concerns me is about the 3rd or 4th time in a row Jake cut off and nipped at the Aussie, the Aussie decided enough was enough and started to fight back. I yelled and scared the two off each other (and woke everyone else up in the house) and put Jake outside, giving the aussie a chance to eat (which I don't think he did.) They're both outside now playing. I guess I can feed them in separate rooms, one in & the other outside or crate them. I've used separate food bowls since I've had the second dog (which belonged to Jake... haven't had a chance to pick up a brand new bowl for the aussie. Jake is also starting to be more aggressive over toys. I haven't been concered, until the fight broke out. At what point should I put a stop to this? We're still evaluating the Aussie and he's going to the vet Thursday for a checkup & shots (can't do it tomorrow or Wednesday due to prior commitments I can't back out of.) Also, at what point is too much aggression and dominance?

 

[Zoom]

Sounds like he's got some resource guarding issues developing. There are a number of threads all around the Training Forum on how to deal with this.

I'm sorry to pawn you off on the search function, but it's quite late here.