Luna Mae dislikes our holiday houseguest! What to do?

[MrsBeez]

Hi,
Diesel a 10 month old Boxer-Pit mix arrived last night. He's been very sweet, and cautiously exploring our house. He listens and obeys. Otis was a bit timid at first, but will try to play with Diesel. All tails are still wagging...

Luna Mae however, will NOT stop barking at him. Even through the night, everyone was in their own crate, but Luna Mae whined, cried, talked, barked, and would not be quiet. At one point for some rest, I brought her up on the bed and we all slept for a few hours.

This morning she's still very timid, won't approach Diesel, won't let him approach her, and just keeps growling, barking, and whining.

Any thoughts of things I can do to help her get accustomed to our guest?
Hope everyone else is doing well, traveling safely, staying warm and having better luck with house guests. :)

- Melissa

[Jespah]

Hmm, that's a tough one.

How much interaction has she had with him? Have they smelled each other? Was the first time they met at your home? Sorry - more questions than answers.

If she can see Otis playing and interacting with him that will help her. Even though we think of pups as being harmless, in the dog world they are unsocialized and unpredictable. A little bit rude as it were. Rupe doesn't like youngsters for that reason.

As he's the guest, I'd keep him from her and let her have her space and normal routine as much as possible.

[Fluffypants]

That's a toughie! I'm sure he won't be there long enough for a full on training program. Just do the best you can, make sure she has space to get used to him, and reward her whenever she looks at him without barking or whining, etc. Don't worry . . . it will be over soon!!!

[MrsBeez]

Diesel has been over before, but never for more than a few minutes. We've played a lot at dog park, or Otis and Diesel run around together. Luna Mae always shies away from him. I was secretly hoping her trial by fire would bring her out of her shell.

She tries to sniff him, but as soon as she realizes he's notices, she yelps and scurries away. Right now as I type she's crawled up on to the back of the couch and is pretending to be neck pillow for me. When she reacts badly to Diesel, Otis then switches gears to step in and protect her.

Everyone's routine is going to be upset because my parents will be here in 6-8 hours. And that means I should be cleaning! Here goes nothing.

[MrsBeez]

BTW, Santa brought one gift a bit early, so I'll be able to post some pictures of our fun times to our album later today. :LAUGH:

[bayoucorgi]

Diesel was Liam's pre-adoption name so there is soft spot for our poor unwelcome visitor. Can you take them both for a long walk? Each on their own leash - preferably with two people. Sometimes there is a territorial thing involved and getting out and getting tired on neutral ground works for soothing out the anxiety. Otherwise, I just move crates into separate rooms - or someone stays in the bathroom and someone else in the laundry room - and things calm down. I have had a lot of rescue dogs 'visit' and it turned out to be great for my dogs to be less territorial and more willing to share. Good luck.

[MrsBeez]

Last night was better: we started out with Luna Mae on the bed (snuggled up happily with her mommy), Otis was on his bed, and Diesel in his crate. Diesel is being really good and trying REALLY hard to make friends with little miss.

Mom, hubby and I took all three to dog park today. Diesel was happy to run free, and worked out a lot of energy. Otis played with Diesel, and ran a bit with other dogs. Luna Mae was more frightened and cowering from any other dog -- more so than ever before.

At home she's warming up slowly to our guest. She clings to me or another human, but is allowing him to approach her without snarling or yipping.

We are really quite worried about Luna Mae's reluctance (inability?) to be more social. I think I should be looking into a behavior specialist.

...just had another episode while typing. Diesel tried to play and Luna Mae freaked out and scaled the couch, and nearly leaped off the back into my arms to get away.

Thanks for the advice. I'm trying to be really patient and show LM and Otis lots of extra love. I'm headed over to our album to post pictures.

- Melissa

[Jespah]

Luna Mae is only about 1 years old isn't she?? They do go through various stages as they mature and one of them is definitely fear. She could be at that stage. She needs lots of positive interaction with other dogs, so that she will no not to fear.

Make sure you are following her lead with Diesel - if she's uncomfortable, then don't push her. It sounds like she might come around in a little time - she'll know that Diesel isn't a threat.

You are doing fine. Hang in there!

Deb

[MrsBeez]

By Sunday we were all getting along quite well. Diesel was tyring so hard to be friends with Luna and she was letting him sniff her a bit.

LM is about a year and half. Honestly her socialization challenges appeared when she was in puppy kindergarten a year ago. We go to dog park frequently and she's never warmed up to the idea of other dogs. I think this episode and her meltdown at dog park on Christmas day really opened my eyes that I'm not doing the right things to help her and I need to get us both some help.

Otis loves dog park and running around, I don't want to deny him that. It must be horrible for Luna Mae to want to climb her humans like a tree at the sight of a great dane or even a pug. I've started researching behavorists (behaviorlists?) in the area and am looking for recommendations from our vet.

Diesel's Mom has to go to China for 2 weeks for work, starting this Sunday. He'll be at day care during the days, but with us in the evenings and on weekends. Maybe since we'd reached a detente by the end of the last visit and he's coming back so soon we won't have lost much ground.

thanks for all the advice and input. If it gets as bad again I'll find other accomodations for Diesel, and not put Luna Mae through it.

- Melissa