Hi,

I'm currently fostering a 4yr old bitch that was going to be PTS as there was nowhere for her to go.
I already have a 3yr 9mths old bitch (Ellie) who has not taken kindly to the new addition (to put it mildly). I keep them seperate obviously (my daughter and I are fast becoming experts in strategic manouvers) but when Ellie catches sight of the rescue girl, it's like world war 3. My 8mth old boy (Leo) is fine with her but if Ellie sees him showing any interest he gets a real telling off. All are kept in the house as I don't have outside kenneling.
Leo has now gone off his food and is constantly yawning (which I believe is a sign of stress), the rescue girl is now very reluctant to come out of her quarters, to her credit she has never once growled or barked at either of my dogs, even when Ellie has tried to get to her.
As this is the first time I have "rescued" a dog, any advice on fostering in multi-dog households would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you
Jan

How long have you been fostering the 4yr?  Are Ellie and Leo both Bullmastiffs?

To be honest, it sounds like Ellie does not want to tolerate another bitch of similar age in her house.  And when bitches fight, they really can fight, they often don't forgive and I wouldn't want to have to separate two bullmastiffs fighting!  IMO, I would try to find the foster a new home as soon as possible. Have you contacted the bullmastiff rescues or posted on dogpages? 

I foster dogs, but I have males who tend to have a scrap (usually just a 'shouting at each other' scrap!) and then forget about it. 

If you e-mail me on    spanishwaterdogs@supanet.com I can put you in touch with someone who I'm sure would give you some advice.  She's a behaviourist and also has Bullmastiffs.

Hi,

I've had the foster dog 5 days now, tried all the Bullmastiff rescues who are trying to find her a home but as yet have no-one suitable. Hopefully something will turn up soon as she is such a lovely natured dog, I'm sure she'll make a wonderful pet. Both my two are Bullmastiffs so there is no way I'll ever let Ellie and her together.
I know Ellie is quite dominant, it took alot of time and patience to integrate the pup to the stage where they are happy in each others company.

Which dog pages can you advertise dogs for rehoming on? Obviously Bullmastiff welfare would have to vet any replies.

In the mean time I'll carry on keeping them apart and hope the pup starts to relax a little, I don't want to send the rescue dog to kennels as she has never lived outside.
Thanks for replying
Jan

Have you tried posting on www.dogpages.org.uk, there's a wealth of information, and I am positive someone will help.Good luck

Hi

dogpages.org.uk is a dog rescue site - loads of rescues (large, small and breed specific) post there, people looking to rehome dogs and, most importantly, lots of people looking for dogs to rehome.  At the home page, look on the left at the 'more dogs' and post there.  You will need to register to post.  

Good luck and good on you for looking after her.

Hi Jan i dont know where you are but i have a kennels i use for my rescues and they will take her
there is know way you will get your bitch to take to the new one, you cant do this with bullmastiff un less
you have kennels PM me and let me know where you are.

Hi Corso Girl,
Sorry for the delay in replying to you but the damn keyboard broke (Leo knocked my tea over it) and I couldn't type until I got a new one today. Can't PM you as I don't know how to do that. (my internet skills are very basic)
Thanks for your offer of kennels it was really appreciated. Thankfully everything is now resolved, when I got back from the Open show yesterday Bullmastiff Welfare had rung to say they had a likely home for her. The couple came over, got on well with her and she has gone to them on a trial basis. I'm going over to visit them next weekend to see how she is doing.

Thank you all who replied.
Jan

Oh thats wonderful news, well done.

Well done Jan,
only just read your post. Fingers crossed that things go well and she settles down in her new home.
Karen.