Saga of the New Dog cont.-Day 3

Minnie bites at Beverly's legs too. I usually say her name firmly and try to give her a toy, if there is one in reach. I always hand them a toy, if I see them biting at one another. Then praise them for playing with the toy. Usually, this works but sometimes they drop it and go back to mauling each other. I do understand what you are going through feeling guilty about Dixie being upset. My boyfriend kept telling me Beverly was fine, but I knew she wasn't happy at first. I felt horrible and worried I had done the wrong thing. Now, they get along fine. I don't think Beverly or Dixie either one took it personally or held it against us when we brought another dog home, but it sure does feel like it sometimes, doesn't it?! Believe me, I understand!!

I know I should not have laughed out loud when I pictured you guys flying all over the house, with you attached to ND, but I couldn't help myself. We have had similar ordeals, and all have lived through them, but jeez, it is a big deal at the time. Re: nipping at Dixie's legs---that is a universal way that canines try to initiate play with another canine. I doubt if he senses a weakness, nor does he want to harm her. You are doing exactly the right thing with the NO and the leash tug. I often use LEAVE IT in a situation where I want the dog to leave something alone or drop it, because they hear NO so often for so many situations, I think they sometimes tune it out. But you are certainly giving him the message that you don't like what he is doing, and that is the important thing. I hope that Dixie is growling or moving away from him if she does not want to play--he will get the message as much from her behavior as from whatever you are telling him. It's a little like peer pressure with kids vs. pressure from parents. Bev's idea about giving him a toy alternative to biting is also excellent, as long as it is done sort of matter-of-factly, and not as a reward. If you tell him NO or LEAVE IT and he does so immediately, definitely praise him for making a good choice. I think Cooter is doing as well as can be expected under the circumstances. The idea of him being allowed to be on the crate, or go up to it, is so he can control the interaction without fear of reprisal. It's his choice if he does okay, or hisses and runs off. No harm, no foul. He's just exploring the smells and habits of the interloper. When he noticed ND noticing him and freaked out, he is well within his right to do so. Controlling ND's behavior is the key here, so another LEAVE IT and distraction with a toy or making him sit, etc is key. If I see Maddie eyeing one of our cats, I often put her on a sit stay while they walk past her, or give her some other command that she can focus on, then earn a reward for. If you can get him to look at you instead of the cat, you've won most of the battle. He may only be chasing or wanting to chase because Cooter is being irresistably provocative. If he wasn't a cat chaser in the previous home, and you let him know it's unacceptable in your home, this will probably die a natural death. I think you guys are all doing a bang-up job, truthfully. It's just a bit of an adjustment. And Dixie won't be looking at you pitifully forever. Before long she won't remember that there was life before ND, it will just be the way it is. Hang in there--it will get better, and you will look back on all this and laugh. See, I told you some of us would be HAPPY to give you advice ☺

i'm sorry gretchen, but i literally laughed out loud when i read this!!! i know it isn't funny, but it just reminded me of that cartoon-like experience we had with mikey when he was new, chasing one of the cats up on to the bookshelves!! LMAO!!! anyhow, i wouldn't worry, it sounds like things are going along normal as they would when introducing any new dog. it's really not often that everyone would love one another right away. i bet no matter what new dog you brought in, cooter would act that same way, and the dog WOULD do the same thing. that is just natural prey drive thing, when the cat does that to the dog. have you tried the rescue remedy yet? i hope that helps, i REALLY think this will. i use this for many situations, even when joe was sick a month or two ago. it helps them "center" themselves so much, IMO. anyhow, a few weeks from now, you are going to look back on this and crack up. don't get too rushed to make everyone get along. it sounds like he and dixie are doing great,cooter is just being the naughty one! there always has to be an instigator, i guess, LOL! don't worry about the leg biting thing. that is natural dog play, he is trying to entice her to play. keep up what you are doing, and if you don't want him doing that, do like you did before. he will figure it out. remember, this is all SOOO new to him, so be patient. remember, rome wasn't built in a day! :)