hell0
I am new and hope someone can help me with a problem. I have two rescue staffies both neutered a 6 yr old boy we have had for 3 years and a 17mnth old girl who we have rescued as a puppy.,they are both dog friendly and well socialised and love eachother, I regularly leave them alone together with no problems, they share a bed as well..

on saturday I saved an abandoned staffy due  to be PTS at a dog pound who we were told was dog friendly (we were NOT told she is in season as we discovered on geting her home) She is aged 3.she was going to stay with my mum only til a dog rescue could offer her a space, about three weeks,.,that was the original plan. and all my idea as I was so distressed about the number of unwanted staffies being destroyed.

the abandoned staffy is now staying at my mums home and my mums family have already grown fond of her... I have tried two introductions with my existing staffies, both on neutral territory. she was fine with my boy, practically ignoring him, but she growled at and intimidated my girl from the star, despite my girl backing away and tucking tail between legs, and even playbowing to her, we tried bringing the dogs on leads into my mums house on the second meeting, but the pound bitch barked and and eyed up my bitch the whole time, making her run upstairs in fear.

my bitch is very skinny and tiny for a staff, and the pound bitch is small but very strong and seemingly dominant. she could do my bitch alot of damage, and it was upsetting to see my bitch quivering in the place she considers her second home because of a dog whose life I have saved,
I suggested taking the pound bitch to a rescue, as I am sure she would rehome easily, but my mums adult soon and husband have said they dont want to give this dog up.,

I usually go there for 3 days every fortnight and stay with my dogs overnight. I have to go there as I am disabled and my main carer has to leave for this period for ther commitments. I cannot leave my dogs at my own home as I stay overnight at my mums on the sofa and my two dogs stay with me.,

I am very worried as my main carer(my partner) must go away in about 10 days and I will need to go to my mums house.. we still have a few more days to introduce the dogs, but I dont think things are likely to change.

my mums son and husband dislike me, and would pick a dog before me.. and I am now really afraid as my saving this dogs life could now put me in danger, and I dont know what to do for the best. this doog has to accept my bitch coming into the house and jumping over the furtniture and being loving around everyone because thats what my bitch does.. the other bitch is not so loving as my lucy, and isnt as bouncy. but I cant risk her attacking lucy just because lucy lays on the sofa or plays around my mums family.,

can anyone help?

ruth

Both these dogs are adults and even in completely nuteral territory the rescue bitch was aggressive towards your bitch, I would say no chance in them ever being friends, or perhaps I should say I wouldn't risk my bitch with her, your bitch is being completely submissive and the other bitch may over time leave her alone, or she may just wish to eliminate her presence completely, not a risk I would take with my dog.

You need to go to your mum's still that is a necessity, you can't leave your dogs at home, they wish to keep this bitch, so all looks lost - but it isn't........ easy to remedy, dog gates, Argos sell them, get a couple put up so that both bitches can be seperated whilst you are there, your bitch may well not get the chance to sit on the sofas in the living room anymore as your mum's own dog will take priority in their own home obviously, but yours will be safe, she'll be there for you to care for, I would just keep your dogs in the kitchen or day room and you'll have to work it that way, it's better than nothing and your bitches safety is much more important than snuggling up to you on the sofa, get the dog gates and the problem will be sorted. :-)

N.B.  If however the rescue bitch becomes so aggressive she is willing to get over the gate to get at your bitch, then a crate would need to be used instead.

Ruth,

It sounds as though the dog pound have been irresponsible. The dog should have been tested with yours before being rehomed- especially given you are disabled. I am also surprised they allowed an entire bitch (particularly of this breed) to be rehomed. If this a bona fide outfit? It all seems rather odd.

You could try to get your mother to see sense. But if her husband and son are unable to appreciate the problem will they be responsible enough to work with baby gates etc.? Do they listen to your mother or will they just do as they please?

The only other option is to see if the pound bitch could stay with the husband's friends or relatives for the three days you visit.

It sounds as though the pound bitch will not accept your bitch and I would not risk it. It could be that the pound did not assess this bitch's temperament properly or accurately either.

If you want to try the baby gates and separation option you need to be confident that the others will adhere to it and ensure the dogs are separated at all times. The pound bitch will have a strong urge to get to your bitch and will know she is in the house. Otherwise I would plead with your mother to intervene.

This gate is better for dogs than the Argos (Lintran) one http://www.bettacare.co.uk/acatalog/Child___Pet_Gate.html#a116 ( I have both).

I would also suggest getting a crate, these are reasonable http://www.ukdogcrate.co.uk/ the classic 2 would be fine for one dog, or the three to put both of yours in.

The breed are rarely good with their own sex as adults, especially if not brought up together, so I wouldn't even try to make them be friends, accepting each other with barriers is about the best you should hope for.

Even very experienced Staff breeders never leave to staffs that are friends alone together unsupervised, as fights can break out easily and they won't stop until real damage is done.

The OP rescued this bitch from being put to sleep, there are so many Staffs coming into rescue at the moment that some areas are just putting them to sleep if not claimed in the statutory 7 days.

hello and thankyu all for your comments
unfrtunately my mums hasband and son are very selfish..and I couldnt guarantee they would leave the gate closed, we do have one to take there and my bitch is used to the gate as I use one at home.,.
my mums husband and son dont have friends that would look after the pound bitch whilst I have to be there, and althought my stepbrother does actually have hisown flat with a garden, which would suit the pound bitch as he is so desperate to keep her, he wont go there as mum is far too soft and waits on them hand and foot..and no she wont intervene where her husband and son are concerned.,she usually lets them have what the want.
her husband has always loved my bitch and kept asking me to give her to him, which  of course I wouldnt do which is one of the reasons I suggested they try a rescue bitch. the pound is far away and a third party brought the bitch to us, so she never met my dogs beforehand and the new she was in season but the third party did not pass this info to us. we were just told she was a friendly quiet and very placid bitch and had been tested with numerous other dogs and was fine... there were many other staffies at the pound of all ages and I told them clearly I couldmnly try a bitch who was definately dog friendlly, given my situation,
I dont hink her husband would keep the poundie if she did hurt my lucy, but then the damage would already be done. I was thinking about muzzling the pound bitch in lucys prescence, or would that just make her more agressive toward lucy?
she didnt show agressin to my male staffy, who has the most easygoing nature possible... she just ignored him..but my lucy let the poundie, ellie sniff her all over including round her face and still ellie barked at her and pull towards her in the house. they did walk next to eachother after the initial growling both times, but Ellie was eyeing lucy up alot...and ignoring the boy willow.
I am sure a rescue would take her in as she is dg friendly to strange dogs and des have a quiet nature with peple, she is also very attracively marked,but I just cant see my mums selfish bunch giving her over to the rescue, even though that was what we agreed if things didnt work out in the first place

ruth

ps..I do have a crate and I have suggested it, but they dont want to put ellie in a crate, and my bitch isnt keen on them, and as she has done n wrgn I dont think its fair to crate her all the time in the huse that she once had free run of,

ruth

I think you may have to accept this if your Mum's dog now not just the "pound bitch" :-)  It is also her husband.  I appreciate there is a need for you to go to your mothers but perhaps the onus should now be on you to find other accomodation for your dog if you believe it will not work out seperating them at your mother's.

> she didnt show agressin to my male staffy

It is extremely rare for oppostie sexes to fight.

hi
thankyou for your comments
I cannot accomodate my dogs elsewhere as I have no money for private boarding.,.I know nobody where I live and live too far from my mum to be able to come and go and leave my dog at my own home. I have a painful illness and cannot sit alone and just 'deal with it' my mother has never thought much of me and her family(my step family who are a bunch of rather horrid blokes who have very little respect for any woman including her) are obviously using this dog as another excuse not to be 'burdened' by my company for 6 days in a month. unfortunately for me I have no other carer to burden with my presence or I would choose not to go there .so I have no choice to go to a house where I am not wanted, and to be honest my dogs are more appreciated than me anyway.
I have saved this dogs life. and I am beginning to regret it to be honest. I am prepared to pay a dog trainer to work through this, but anything as long as I do not have to be ill alone at home as its too much to cope with. I dont want to dislike Ellie, as its just how she is, but we have been misinformed about her, and now it seems I have to suffer for my good turn.,I love all dogs and fundraise for many dog charities and give blankets and beds and toys to poundies all the time, can anyone recommend a behaviourist in herts we could try? I too have owned an aggressive staffy bitch previously, and kept her her whole life and managed her, so I know how bad it can be.,however my old staffy bitch tolerated dogs after I muzzled her with them a few times, and after that I could trust her.. I dont know about ellie though
ruth

As she is in SEASON, this will make things a lot worse. Don't even attempt any introductions as long as she is still in season. I have a bitch that doesn't get on with my others when she is in season, the rest of the time she is fine.

The dog should have been tested with yours before being rehomed- especially given you are disabled. I am also surprised they allowed an entire bitch (particularly of this breed) to be rehomed. If this a bona fide outfit? It all seems rather odd.

Fairly typical of council stray kennels I'd say. They don't do any checks, don't ask any questions, just need to get the dogs sold as quickly as possible, and when we got my mother in law's Labrador from our local one she too arrived in season. However it was the only place we could go as my MIL is disabled and no other rescues would let her have a dog despite the dog being walked by other people.

Hi Ruth

you have been given very sensible and practical advice thus far - as with any advice on the internet, it can only be broad spectrum as none of us are fully aware of the circumstances.  The dogs - yes, we can weigh up reasonably well in this type of scenario how best to handle matters.  The individual people involved - not so easy unfortunately!

A few things which spring to mind - all based mainly on keeping the dogs apart entirely and ensuring that it is effective and kind :) 

Are you physically able to exercise your own dogs?  If not, does anyone take them out while you are all staying with your mum?   If they are exercised, by whoever, then is there a garage, shed, outhouse or even secure crate in a car where they can be comfortably and safely left to sleep for a couple of hours afterwards?  If so, then this may be an option for you for part of the period you require your mum's help.

When your dogs are out and then kept separate, the pound dog can have it's (now) usual run of the roost.  When that time elapses, the pound dog can then be taken out for good lengthy exercise and it can be left to sleep off it's excitement in whichever previously suggested place suited your two and yours can enjoy 2-3 hours of relaxation and fussing indoors :)

If each dog or pair of dogs has this routine twice a day, then already their needs have been well served while accidental meetings have been avoided for a substantial part of the daytime. 

For overnight and any part of the day where this doesn't meet requirements, I'd suggest the pound dog is kept in say the kitchen behind a gate and your dogs are behind another gate in the lounge.  Swapping and/or time out for each could be given without them having to meet but it is largely dependent on not merely the co-operation and commitment of the household members but also that there are no lapses in concentration - hence why I would suggest always having two barriers between these dogs when all are indoors.

TBH you don't have many alternatives on the domestic front, however perhaps you could explore some nearer to home :)

1. Speak to your medical centre re the possibility of having home cover for yourself while your partner is away
2. If unable, ask the DHS if there is a benefit which would cover paid care for you for the periods required
3. Speak to local kennels, both near you and near your mum  - ask if you can perhaps set up a reduced rate for guaranteed periods throughout the course of say 6 months.  It may be more affordable than you think. 
4. Speak to your nearest KC Registered SBT Club rescue officer.  Perhaps they may be able to organise temporary care of your own dogs with a foster home for 3 days a fortnight or even someone who could house sit them in your own home.  In these circumstances I'd recommend offering a small regular donation to their Rescue Fund by way of not only appreciation but also helping other dogs who have owners in difficult circumstances.  It may work but of course will depend on how busy they are (and sadly they all are :( ) but your dogs may just suit the situation of someone nearby who for whatever reason could not commit to full time dog ownership :)

I hope this gives you some more ways to look at things and therefore greater options.   No situation is entirely unable to be resolved - we just have to think 'outside the box' !
very best wishes, Teri

Beastieboo,

Is the rescue dog yours or your mums?

This may sound harsh but if she is yours, maybe you should consider returning her or trying to rehome her elsewhere?

I once tried to home a rescue dog with us and she was so aggresive towards my own dog that I ended up asking for her to be rehomed. It was a long hard decision to make and was very upsetting for us as we had grown very fond of her but basically my own dogs safety came first. We didn't sleep for days and worried about her for weeks after.(Luckily I now know who this bitch was rehomed to and she has a happy loving family).

Rehoming centres are sometimes at fault, not vetting peoples circumstances enough. One of my friends homed a lovely wee terrier mix who overnight went absolutely crazy. She had to lock him in a room after he went for her, her partner and ripped open her brothers hand. The RSPCA came to pick him up the next day and told her this was the THIRD home this dog had been to!!!!

Good luck, Its a hard decision but may be for the best.

many thanks for all your advice so far.
She is not a 'rescue' dog... as all the local rescues wont give a dog to my mum because she has a picket fence and is in her 60s, and her husband wanted a 'young dog' not an elderly one.. they also didnt want to pay for one......
the council dog pound are desperate to get rid of the dogs so they dont have to destroy them, particularly staffies as there is a big staffy problemin that area and the pound is over run.
I never saw the dog before a volunteer drove her down to my mums house, and the pound is 90 miles away, and as I cant travel there was no opportunity to meet them.I took them at their word, that is she is a very calm placid and dog friendly girl who is not spayed, but not in season.. I had booked her in for immediate spay but had to cancel of course.
I always exercise my own dogs, they are well trained and are no trouble, both are from rescues actually, one is rspca and one is dogs trust.
and I know of a local rescue who would consider Ellie for a place, but the problem will be getting my mums husband and son to hand her over..even though it was me who got them the dog, she is in their home and she is settling in and they are growing to like her.
I understand the sense about not introducing her in season to my dogs, but we had to do this because in 10 days my husband goes back to care for his elderly dad and I need to be able to go there if I get ill., I may be ok, but more often than not i spend at least one or two nights there when my husband is away. I help my mum alot when I am there and take her out,,which is more than anyone else does in the house, but when I do take her out my dogs usually are left at the house as it isnt fair to leave them in the car. I will certainly try keeping ellie in the kitchen behind a gate when my two dogs are there..and I will try muzzling her with lucy.. but I hope they can tolerate eachother..
I cannot get any care support from the state, apart from the benefits I already get, as I am considered low support needs...I can drive and cook for myself, and everything..its simply that I cannot be in pain alone and my mum cant drive so she cant come to me, she also works everyday part time.
I realy want it to work out between Ellie and Lucy, and I saved ellies life and do feel sorry for her, and a bit responsible as she wouldnt be there if not for me. However I cant put lucy at risk either. My mum does love dogs and needs a canine companion of her own..but her last dog was a mongrel and both my staffies got on with him without any problems and he happily shared his home with them,. my mum was lost when he died 4 months ago especially as he was her friend in a very unfriendly house, and she could take him out when her husband and son got nasty with her.. so that why I got her Ellie..as a friend for her...I just didnt think she would be trouble for me!

do you think if ellie was brought to my home where lucy lives she might behave differently when it isnt somewhere she considers 'her territory?'

ruth

> do you think if ellie was brought to my home where lucy lives she might behave differently when it isnt somewhere she considers 'her territory?'
>

Personally - no. Perhaps, if lucky, for a day or two but when she felt her feet under the table then I think you'd have a serious problem.  Bitch v bitch is the worst possible combo when there's an obvious issue between two and in this breed in particular it is IMO far too risky.

Three days twice a month should not be too difficult for the dogs to accept less than 100% attention.  Have you thought about the suggestions made re ensuring permanent separation when staying at your mum's?

Also, is there a chance that a small kennel and run could be made at her place for any of the dogs when needed?  It needn't be too large or expensive to set something up if your mother and her OH are agreeable.

just to let you all know..I walked both bitches today without my boy and there was no aggression.. ellie has stopped bleeding today,but she did try and mount lucy twice.. and she kept trying to mount willow the boy in the house.l am going to walk the bitches together a few more times and let the boy and ellie play together in my mums house and see how it goes before I take my bitch back inside the house. there was no aggression apart from the mounting displayed by ellie today towards either dog

ruth

I sincerely hope your confidence is not misplaced.

Good luck, Teri

hi I wont be taking any chances. they must meet at least another 3 times before I bring lucy back into the house, and then I will make sure ellie is kept on a lead, except when she is in  another room or outside..I would never put lucy at risk..ellie likes my boy though so she can play with him

ruth

It could just be her being in season, some bitches can be very bitchy at that time!  I'd try again in a couple of weeks on neutral ground and see how she goes.