stacey_schley83

I was terrible at posting any updates but boy have we made progress. I felt like I needed to provide an update because I know somewhere there is a pet mom thinking she made a terrible mistake by bringing in another dog and she is looking for just a glimmer of hope that with patience, training, and consistency things can improve. There were times I thought coexistence was never going to happen. There were days I cried and felt like a terrible dog mom one for thinking Brewer thought I betrayed him and two for Gigi getting the wrath of Brewer's grumpiness. But with your training tips and a little one on one with a dog behaviorist, we have peace and harmony. There are still a few tussles over a toy or bone but everyone seems to know their place and on a few occasions that place has been right beside me on the couch, one on each side, in perfect harmony.

Jennifer, loved your suggestion and the past two days I've left Alexa to play classical music on Pandora throughout the house. For two reasons, one poor Brewer doesn't have to listen to Gigi cry (boy that girl has some pipes) and Gigi seems to pipe down when she hears other noises rather than it being completely quite. Sounds like Gertie is a lot like Brewer. He was an easy puppy and loves people and children. Loves to have human visitors over. He is a lap baby. I think Gigi will be a lap girl too though she has had quite a bit more energy than Brewer did at the same age.

Thank you so much. I have really narrowed down that Brewer does have a little resource guarding issues with high value objects (His favorite toy, his bed, etc.)but that he doesn't want to eat his new sister ;). He is getting closer to her crate and sniffing without barking or growling and I reward him for such. One issue that makes him nervous is when he approaches her, she gets so excited so if I sense he is tensing up, I redirect him and reward him if he chooses to focus on something else. I'm not sure how to handle the resource guarding myself so I've already contacted a behaviorist. She doesn't seem to think Brewer is going to be an extreme case, just probably the normal territorial "I've never had to share before" response. I just don't want there to be issues later on. Right now we are following our routine and everyone seems happy with probably the exception of Gigi who wants 150% of our attention, but what puppy doesn't. She has gotten a little better with us telling her "no" when she wants to make a b-line for Brewer. I have not gotten comfortable with them in the house face to face without her in crate or corral. I think that will come with time. Any suggestions on how to manage "cuddle time"? For example, in the morning Gigi gets up first (Brewer is not an early bird), she potties, gets a little play time, then Brewer gets up. I feed them both. We go for a little stroll on leashes around the yard. She gets a little more playtime in the house and back in her crate when I leave for work. I come home at lunch for potty breaks and either another little walk around the yard if its not raining or some in house playtime. In the evening, she spends quite a bit of time in her corral with toys while we cook and Brewer is allowed to roam around freely. Brewer likes to spend a little time snuggling on the couch between 7:30-9:00 before he really starts getting tired. Then I take him upstairs and put him in his crate. We then allow Gigi to have some playtime out of the pen. Playtime involves my husband and myself sitting on the floor facing each other about 10 feet away and finding something to engage with her, a ball, stuff animal, etc. We also work on calling her name and when she comes to me I give her a treat, when she goes to the husband, treat, etc. She is really good at coming when called. Last night she got a little better at sitting on command. After an hour or so of this, we are both tired. So I feel like I am missing out on just sitting and snuggling with her, no playing, no expectations, just cuddles. I also know that Brewer knows this is going on downstairs. He has been a little whinny in his crate probably because we normally go to bed with him. I don't want him too much off his normal routine or think that he now has less time with us because of her but I also want to have her own cuddle time. I'm kind of at a loss how to manage that under our fairly rigid routine. Do I just need to allow her some time before bed to sit with us on the couch? Any suggestions?

Back story:I have the sweetest calmest 7 year old Pomeranian named Brewer who is "that once in a lifetime" special bond for me. I've had dogs my whole life, but Brewer has been different. He was a great puppy. Without much experience in dog training, I managed to crate train him and even now he will go to his crate when he is tired or if there is some stress, like when we travel. He is a great travel buddy. He rarely barks or cries when we travel and he has to stay in a hotel room or Air Bnb. He loves people and our cats. He doesn't have much interaction with other dogs other than observing (mostly my fault, I was over protective). He has stayed at friends homes who had other dogs but not for extended periods. He still has quite a bit of energy and fetch is his absolute favorite followed by tug of war. His fetch skills are pretty amazing and he understands drop and will even put the ball right back in my hand. He knows all his basic commands but can be a little stubborn. Now for the reason I bought Brain Training for Dogs...we recently got a puppy. An adorable full of life, no fear, confident, little female Pomeranian named Gigi. Brewer is really questioning his mom's decision making skills. We are on day 4. I've kept them separated during the night and while I am not home during the day. When I am home, Gigi is confined into a pet corral in our kitchen so Brewer can see her. The first few days he would growl, bark, snarl, and snip at her. Those have diminished in intensity. We are now able to walk both of them on a leash around the yard. I'm doing all I can to ensure Brewer is top dog. Gigi gets her playtime when Brewer is ready for bed. Last night, Brewer really only had one episode and that is when we came in for our walk. While walking Gigi to her crate we had to turn a corner and Brewer's new toy was there and he snapped (Gigi didn't even see it). I know this will take time and I feel like he has got quite a bit better since Saturday. His behavior has improved quite a bit back to his fun loving playful self. Last night I worked quite a bit with him on his commands with Gigi right there in the kitchen observing from her crate. She actually seemed entertained watching us. What I noticed is the the more I worked with Brewer then less anxiety he seemed to have with her there. That is why I purchased Brain Training for Dogs. I am hoping that I can take Brewer's motivation to learn and please to the next level which will help his jealousy and agression towards Gigi. Gigi, bless her sweet heart needs help in the puppy knows-no-bounds category.