After Katie panicked inside our house, during yesterday’s visit, we did more in-and-out games to build her confidence for coming inside. I showed her all over the house, but she seemed particularly fearful of the basement, so we did not go down there. BUT, we struggled with two things when she was inside: 1) She would not lay down and relax. Period. and 2) Anytime Lilly showed any bossy or resource guarding behaviors (usually over me or Tom), Katie responded with invitations to play.
Lay DOWN!
I did manage to get Katie to lay down on the couch and later on a dog bed for about 5 minutes each time, but that’s it.
All three dogs were exhausted after 3-4 hours of constant play, so Lilly and Ginko immediately looked for a spot to sack out for a while. Despite their overall intensity, they really are very good inside. When we say “Settle Down,” they most often do.
At one point, I just kept putting Katie in a DOWN-STAY on a dog bed with a stuffed toy as a reward (after she chose it out of the toy basket), but she got up like 10 times in a row. Tom finally said it seemed like she was in pain or something, so I didn’t ask her to lay down anymore. She went home soon after.
The funny thing is that somehow Lilly got orphaned outside while Tom was carrying in firewood, but she did not care. Usually, she’d be fussing at the door to come in, but she was so tired … I found her completely asleep on the front porch. We let her stay there since she clearly needed a break.
After Katie went home, Ginko and Lilly had dinner then slept for hours and hours.
Let’s PLAY!
I’ve said before that Lilly doesn’t seem to resource guard me as much with Katie as she does other dogs, but it’s a very different scenario inside the house. So, just like she does with Ginko (who plays the benevolent leader and just ignores her), Lilly snarled quite a bit at Katie inside when she got close to me or Tom, if we were sitting down (which after a long day managing 3 dogs we truly wanted to do).
I think part of the grumpiness was that Lilly wanted to rest and felt like she could NOT until Katie settled down, but either way, Katie’s response to any tension is to invite the other dog to PLAY.
Now, that’s a very savvy thing for her to do. It seems her Canine Body Language skills are stronger than we knew.
BUT, Lilly and Ginko are taking her up on the offer to play more and more. So, they can go from hanging out to TOTAL CHAOS in just a few seconds. When there is a total of 160 pounds of wild dogs moving around in a small space, it can be overwhelming (for me).
Yesterday, I had no solution to the pandamonium other than to let all three outside again to get their jollies out.
Trainability Fears
morning cleaning house (love … solid-surface flooring). Once the
ground dries out a bit, we’ll probably call over and go get Katie for
another visit so that we can see if her nerves inside get better.
A friend of mine who has many border collies jokes that they make you believe you are a good dog trainer. After I put Katie in a DOWN-STAY for the 10th time yesterday, I suddently had my doubts.
I spent 14+ years with our Dalmatian Penelope Grace pretty much ignoring my requests, but I’ve spent nearly the last 5 with Lilly … who is thrilled to do anything I ask. I’m not sure I can go back again to a less responsive dog.
wow-you and Tom have been so amazing..it makes me so happy to see how much you two are doing to help Katie.
I was wondering if perhaps giving Katie a safe and quiet separate area (I.e. Crate or ex-pen) with a frozen REALLY yummy kong-thinking baby food/cream cheese/canned food levelnof yumminess) might help her relax?
Or crating your guys with said yumminess and letting Katie take her time exploring indoors?
My sweet departed hyper and insecure Belgian Malinois, Sophie, actually needed to be tethered to the sofa next to me when we first rescued her. She simply did not know how to calm herself so I had to physically restrain her (crates, pens, tethers) and redirect her (kongs, bones) until she learned some coping skills.
For what it’s worth I know that the first few weeks have always been difficult as a new pack member learns our rules, but given some time it has always worked out and been worth the effort.
Whatever path you end up taking, Katie is one lucky girl that you are putting such effort and love into her future!
Not to be oversimplistic here, but do you think any of Katie’s tendancies have to do with her breed? Are sight hounds any less accomodating when it comes to training?
My first reaction to what I’ve read thus far is that an adjustment period is needed. It seems like with time, all the dogs would adjust to each other. You mentioned the “third dog syndrome” in a previous article, which I can relate to. When we adopted our 3rd dog (a puppy brought into a home of 2 adult dogs) I was worried how she would fit in. Would she be left out or picked on? No, not in the least. She’s developed a (unique)relationship with each of the 2 adult dogs.
I guess my question would be not can you give Katie a home, but should you. (Please don’t take this the wrong way!)What I mean is, it is clear you are a fantastic trainer & your work with Lilly is proof. It is also very evident you are willing to make this work and are able to do so. Do you think Katie’s presence would eventually be totally accepted or would it be a constant management issue?
I don’t know. I am just thinking out loud here and NOT at ALL trying to put any doubts in your mind, just wondering what you see for the future for your dogs…?
We haven’t tried tossing food. I have to be so careful with food since the dogs don’t know each other that well. It’d be a free-for-all with loose food. All three rush me now as soon as I reach into the bait bag.
Today (Sat), I tried reassuring Lilly it was ok, secretly slipped her food, and tried to block Katie as much as I could. She was being VERY persistent.
BUT, she’s so much bigger than me and Lilly (when we’re sitting down). It isn’t easy.
We talked about maybe crating ours, but I bet they’d have a FIT if they could hear her running around.
More than anything. I need to find a way to connect with Katie. All my usual tricks don’t seem to motivate her at all.
For the resource guarding of you, have you thought of tossing Lilly treats when Katie comes over to you? Obviously, it needs to be pre-snarl so that you’re not rewarding the snarl. I wonder what Gigi or Dog Geek would say.
The indoor jitters and excitability sounds so much like the dog Emma that we’ve dogsat. I think that it’ll take time for the calming down indoors to occur.
I’m also wondering if Lilly and Ginko would be too upset if you left them outside or put them in another room when Katie is first indoors (and in the same room as you) so that Katie can get used to it without them as an additional distraction.