re housing a puppy | ExpatWoman.com
 

re housing a puppy

30
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 February 2011 - 09:59

We have just adopted 2 5 month old saluki cross males. Although my husband and I have been around dogs all our lives there was some behaviour between them that made me do a bit more research and the overwhelming opinion seems to be it's asking for trouble to have two dogs from the same litter. It's apparently different if you already have an older balanced dog in the house (this is the scenario i grew up with). They are both wonderful individually and have been doing really well with training this week but I'm not happy with their interaction (and my girls getting caught up in it) although both fine with other dogs. We've discussed it all night and think it would be fairer to the dogs to be housed seperately. If anyone has any experience of this or would like to adopt one of the puppies please let me know.

2340
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 14 February 2011 - 16:47
...I would suggest you get both neutered asap if not already. Watch you are not overfeeding re protein and look at the individual dogs issues separately rather than looking at them as siblings. I have homed male litter mates with no issues and would suggest it is far more to do with the fact that you have two dogs the same age who are still need educating and are just being kids combined with natural inherited breed traits. *LIKE*!! Excellent advice on neutering and looking at them individually when dealing with them. I know many people who have raised litter mates and none of them have had more than the 'average' puppy problems (which, there is no doubt, can sometimes seem never-ending ;) ).
1511
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 13 February 2011 - 09:56
Rach you have to understand/beaware these are Salukis/desert dogs(?) and have a different brain to your normal run of the mill dog. Most breeds have characteristics/traits that are inbuilt and whilst many may argue that it makes no difference they do! You have no idea of the breeding and the traits of the parents. Firstly you have two male dogs, both are around 5 months, the behaviour you are describing is perfectly normal re pushing boudaries working out which one is more dominant. The nipping behaviour could be environmental or a genetic trait exacerbated by their environment or just how they are wired. These dogs are breed to live in packs and have a huge amount of exercise, not just your everyday pet. I would suggest you get both neutered asap if not already. Watch you are not overfeeding re protein and look at the individual dogs issues separately rather than looking at them as siblings. I have homed male litter mates with no issues and would suggest it is far more to do with the fact that you have two dogs the same age who are still need educating and are just being kids combined with natural inherited breed traits.
81
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 13 February 2011 - 08:09
Hi Rach, If you're following Cesar's Way then you are way ahead of where I was when I first adopted! We never separated our two and have never crated either. When we went out they used to get shut in the kitchen to contain accidents but together. They're 3 1/2 now and I really do think the balance was down to the male/female combo. Sorry, I know that this is not much help. Re walking, I did start by walking them separately and later when walking them together, one on the left and one on the right, so they were never actually next to each other. We don't have children but I do understand your concern. Perhaps Neil at Homely Petz will be able to give you some better advice, or Verity by email? Saw your other thread - I hope someone can come on with some better advice for you and the pups.
30
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 February 2011 - 12:22
Thanks dunight. Have been using cesars way and think have established myself. They won't leave the house before me, walk next to me etc They really have a go but will stop if I clap my hands once. When I take them out together the more dominant one has started playing up on the walks and nipping at the other one, showing dominance over toys - but will submit them to me, the 'submissive' one started getting nippy when the other was perceived to be getting more attention. Apparently if you're going to take from the same litter the male-female combo is best. I'm just uncomfortable with it happening around my children. Maybe I could make it work but deep down i feel they should be seperated. How was your training regime. Are they crated seperatly? Split when you leave the house? How old are they now?
81
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 February 2011 - 11:21
Hi Rach71, can you elaborate on the behavioural issues you are seeing? I have two dogs (male & female) from the same litter which we adopted when they were around 3 months old. I'm not sure if the issue is in them both being from the same litter or that they are both males? Are they playing rough or really having a go at each other? You will really need to step in and be the 'pack leader' right away as they are probably trying to work out between them who's taking that role...
 
 

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