Can I MAKE them play? - Sorry LONG

[magoo]

Hi there - it's me and Magoo and The Stray (aka Heineken - my sister named him, but I can't call him by a name, or I'll keep him, and it's not working out...)
Tonight I tried a tug of war with a rope toy - Magoo (my original dog) loves this game - THE STRAY seems to love it as well, with me, but not with my dog...
It's been 3 weeks now, noone has claimed this guy, and the no-kill shelters are full.... I spent close to 4 years deliberating whether or not I should adopt a dog, due to my errattic lifestyle - I finally decided, that yes I could - and I've made many adjustments - I've only had my permanent dog for 5 months and then the STRAY comes along... I've done everything I can to place him in the last 3 weeks - not looking good. I can't live like this for much longer (my current/permanent dog - was a special case and is a handful on his own) I don't want to hand him over to the city - the pound is FULL - he's got a 3-5 day sentence... So... any ideas? How do I MAKE them get along? I can't keep the stray permanently but could deal with the expense of 2 dogs for 3-6-12 months of semi-peaceful living (FYI - my dog is bugging him SO much that I just had to do a Mother Dog thing on him - don't everyone get mad - I grew up on a farm and EVERY species has this - I just had to grab my dog by the scruff of his neck so he wouldn't pull the tenders off the stray - I've NEVER shown ANY aggression to my dog since getting him, but I wonder now - it's been a good 45 minutes since he yelped at my hand and he's been the picture of obedience....)
Long story short - can I Make them get along? I live in the city - I have neighbors - they're willing TO A POINT to allow LIFE first... but.... Any suggestions (please, before you take afront to "violence" try and see my point of view - I'm trying to do the right thing here...
Smiles
Julie, Magoo and the stray ( that would be an EXCELLENT indie-film title!)

[Renee]

You might win the battle, but you won't win the war... One of my coworkers scruff shakes her dog and wonders why it acts aggressively towards her...I wouldn't want the same thing to happen to you...also your dog will never make positive associations with the stray dog if you punish in this manner.

If you really want this to work out, you will have to 1st manage and moniter the situation. Watch both dog's body language - figure out what triggers the fights and prevent them by redirecting them and/or separating them.

Secondly, work on making positive associations. If you resident dog does not like the stray dog, you can work to change his underlying feelings. Start playing a game where Magoo only gets a treat when the stray is in the same room with him. Once magoo understands the game, raise the bar. Now, Magoo only gets treats when he looks at the stray dog...your can say "Magoo - look at Heinekin". When Magoo complies, give him a treat. I don't mean dry kibble here, I want you to give him hotdogs or cheese or whatever it is that he adores.

I would also keep them separated when you cannot be there to watch both dogs every move.

Good luck,

[heathea]

Hey Julie,
how goes it? I know you have spent so much time and patience with Magoo. It will all work out okay, if you cannot find room for him in the no kills and you want to keep working with "the stray" I would seperate them for the time being. You are introducing 2 dogs with very different needs. If you need to borrow a crate you can IM me, I think we live relatively close. That way you can spend some time with each of the dogs alone and bond with them. Once you are comfortable they will be more comfortable as well. If they are both dog friendly you should bring them to a dog park to play. They might do better when they are tired. Let me know exactly what they are up too, are they biting each other or are they playing. I would take him from you but I live in a scary village that only allows 2 pets, total.
Which probably is a good thing for me or we would have 5011 pets. :)
Take care and let me know how I can help.
Heather

[Gillian Howard]

Hi

just to try and reassure you that if you persevere things should be ok eventually.

I have adopted 2 rescue dogs. When I brought Pippa my 2nd home I thought I was going to have a nervous breakdown. Jackie and Pippa were constantly fighting and I thought it was never going to work but I persevered.

Firstly I fed Jackie the most amount of tasty treats ever when Pippa was around. I gave him so much love and attention so that he wouldnt feel he was being edged out.

I let them sleep in the same room but I tied up Jackie on a long leash so that he had freedom to move around but couldnt quite get to Pippa so there was no chance of a fight as Pippa could move away from him if this started.

Anyway 5 weeks on and they are best friends - still the occasional tiff about chews - jackie tries to grab them out of Pippas mouth but they constantly play tug of war and doggie wrestle.

Also have you had your stray checked out by the vets? pippa was not interested in play of any kind for the first 2 weeks - I took her to the vet and found out she was quite ill - after a few days of medicine she wanted to start playing.

Hope some of this is of help xx

[Loren Kristunas]

I really hope it works out with your pooches, but if it doesn't, here's an idea. Here in Northern CA, the mixed breed rescues will let you foster a dog for them while they try to find it a permanent home, if they don't have any foster homes to just take the dog. Since you're willing to keep the stray temporarily but not forever, this might work for you. Have you contacted the rescue organizations or just the shelters? It's worth a shot. You can find them on Petfinders.com or by typing in your search engine dog rescue and the name of your city or town. Good luck!

[Kevin English]

I would also get the dogs on the Nothing in Life is Free program. You can easily find information about how to do that in your house on the web -- if not this forum. It is really easy and will typically help calm things down as it can help establish the pack order. Also, as you have heard before, I would get crates for both dogs so they have their own place to 'coool out' when necessary...you can put them in with a peanutbutter filled kong or beef knuckle and let them spend 20 minutes or so of quiet time. If the two dogs are opposite gender, this should actually work to really calm things down quite a bit (especially if they are both dog friendly dogs).

As far as placing the dog, try a couple of things. First, place an add in your local newspaper (you would be surprised as to how many calls you get...especially if you live in a bit place). Second, there is a website that is called PetOrphan.com. You can post a picture of the dog with a little description of him and people in your area can take a look at him. They will tie you into adoption days that take place in your area. Finally, if you have a PetSmart or Petco in your area, give them a call. They sponser pet adoption days regularly (especially PetSmart). They should be able to get you in touch with the folks who sponser the days, and you can get your stray looped in.

Hope this helps, and good luck.

Kevin

[magoo]

Thanks everyone for your replies! It is getting better day by day - Heineken (the stray) is now a foster dog with Chicago Canine Rescue (where I got Magoo) - so I've got a reputable agency helping me find him a home. They're not BEST friends - but they're doing 10 times better - I separate them when we have dinner - this seems to be the most stressful for them - NEITHER are getting table scraps - but they keep HOPING! Anywho - they are WAY BETTER when I'm not around according to my sis - it seems they're vying for my attention - so, until they've BOTH calmed down - they don't get any...
They are both on NILIF as much as I can do - with 2 dogs. Sit is all they can muster...
Everyone keep your fingers crossed for a permanent home for Heineken - I just don't personally have the patience for a two dog household - not permanently anyway!

[Kevin English]

Magoo,

You're doing a great thing! So many people in this world would have just dropped the stray off at a shelter that would have killed it (or just turned it back on the street). Having the patience and heart to stick with the pup while you work with a great rescue group is going to save this dog's life! I really wish there were more people like you :o .

Also, in your post you mentioned that dinner time can be a bit stressful for them (competition for resources). You may be doing this, but if not...make sure that when the dogs get any meals, raw hides, or bones that they are in a place that is secure from one another (i.e., a crate or in different rooms seperated by something like a baby gate). This will continue to reduce overall stress between the two, which should continue to strengthen their relationship while you work with the rescue folks to find a new home for the stray.

Kevin