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#1
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Now I've gone and done it
As if 6 animals (3 small dogs, 3 cats) aren't enough:
I had to go open my big mouth when my sister told me her neighbors are going to Germany for 4 months to a year and can't take their 70 pound GSD/Lab/whoknowswhat mix with them, so are desperately looking for a temp home, as they really don't want to give him up permanently, and I said "If you absolutely can't find anywhere else I'll take him". And so, I got THE email. I've put them in touch with one last person, but if that doesn't work out, I've got myself my first big dog. So, Baxter is a big hunk of energetic sweetness, but not at all dominant, otherwise I couldn't have offered, as my little 3 (6 pound boy, 9 pound boy, 8 pound girl, all neutered, of course) are constantly fracassing to be top dog. I've walked him and observed his behaviour around other dogs: he playbows to all of them, no matter what the size, and there's absolutely none of this paw-over-the-back or trying to mount stuff. He lets me take food out of his mouth without any problems. I intend to put him in doggie day care (financed by his owners) on the days I work, and will be keeping him seperated from the other dogs when I'm not home otherwise until I've ascertained that he's 100% okay with them, no matter what. I live close to 2 different off-leash parks, so will be taking him there on a regular basis. He's very easy to train, and I have his owners' permission to train him in dogscootering (I have the scooter already :-)). I may also get him certified as a therapy dog. I have to admit it will be nice to have a big dog to take on nighttime walks. Any other tips for peaceful coexistance with dogs of such different sizes would be very welcome. Thanx, -- Debbie the Underdogged das at spamcop dot net "I'm not crazy, I've just been in a very bad mood for 40 years." _Steel Magnolias_ |
#2
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Debbie the Underdogged wrote:
As if 6 animals (3 small dogs, 3 cats) aren't enough: So, Baxter is a big hunk of energetic sweetness, but not at all dominant, otherwise I couldn't have offered, as my little 3 (6 pound boy, 9 pound boy, 8 pound girl, all neutered, of course) are constantly fracassing to be top dog. I've walked him and observed his behaviour around other dogs: he playbows to all of them, no matter what the size, and there's absolutely none of this paw-over-the-back or trying to mount stuff. He lets me take food out of his mouth without any problems. I intend to put him in doggie day care (financed by his owners) on the days I work, and will be keeping him seperated from the other dogs when I'm not home otherwise until I've ascertained that he's 100% okay with them, no matter what. I live close to 2 different off-leash parks, so will be taking him there on a regular basis. He's very easy to train, and I have his owners' permission to train him in dogscootering (I have the scooter already :-)). I may also get him certified as a therapy dog. I have to admit it will be nice to have a big dog to take on nighttime walks. Any other tips for peaceful coexistance with dogs of such different sizes would be very welcome. If it's anything like my four, Baxter will have more problems from your little dogs than they will from him (outside of having to dodge a big goofy energetic dog). Dylan (GSD) and Oppie (Lab) act more amused (bemused?) than anything when Gordo and Chile (Chihuahuas) try to attack or boss them around; the big dogs are very gentle with the little dogs. Dylan is dominant, but she lays off the little dogs and just bosses Oppie, and lets the little dogs chase her. Tips off the top of my head: Let the little dogs have a "safe" space, where they can get out of Baxter's way. Our little dogs are allowed up on furniture and beds; the big dogs aren't. Some people use a gate with a small opening that allows the little dogs through, but not the big dog. Feed them in separate spaces or separate rooms. Teach Baxter a command to calm down and sit, for use if he gets too wound up around the little dogs. It sounds like he's a love, and will be a lot of fun for you. FurPaw -- Brain cells come and brain cells go, but fat cells live forever. To reply, unleash the dog. |
#3
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Debbie the Underdogged wrote:
As if 6 animals (3 small dogs, 3 cats) aren't enough: So, Baxter is a big hunk of energetic sweetness, but not at all dominant, otherwise I couldn't have offered, as my little 3 (6 pound boy, 9 pound boy, 8 pound girl, all neutered, of course) are constantly fracassing to be top dog. I've walked him and observed his behaviour around other dogs: he playbows to all of them, no matter what the size, and there's absolutely none of this paw-over-the-back or trying to mount stuff. He lets me take food out of his mouth without any problems. I intend to put him in doggie day care (financed by his owners) on the days I work, and will be keeping him seperated from the other dogs when I'm not home otherwise until I've ascertained that he's 100% okay with them, no matter what. I live close to 2 different off-leash parks, so will be taking him there on a regular basis. He's very easy to train, and I have his owners' permission to train him in dogscootering (I have the scooter already :-)). I may also get him certified as a therapy dog. I have to admit it will be nice to have a big dog to take on nighttime walks. Any other tips for peaceful coexistance with dogs of such different sizes would be very welcome. If it's anything like my four, Baxter will have more problems from your little dogs than they will from him (outside of having to dodge a big goofy energetic dog). Dylan (GSD) and Oppie (Lab) act more amused (bemused?) than anything when Gordo and Chile (Chihuahuas) try to attack or boss them around; the big dogs are very gentle with the little dogs. Dylan is dominant, but she lays off the little dogs and just bosses Oppie, and lets the little dogs chase her. Tips off the top of my head: Let the little dogs have a "safe" space, where they can get out of Baxter's way. Our little dogs are allowed up on furniture and beds; the big dogs aren't. Some people use a gate with a small opening that allows the little dogs through, but not the big dog. Feed them in separate spaces or separate rooms. Teach Baxter a command to calm down and sit, for use if he gets too wound up around the little dogs. It sounds like he's a love, and will be a lot of fun for you. FurPaw -- Brain cells come and brain cells go, but fat cells live forever. To reply, unleash the dog. |
#4
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Debbie the Underdogged wrote:
As if 6 animals (3 small dogs, 3 cats) aren't enough: So, Baxter is a big hunk of energetic sweetness, but not at all dominant, otherwise I couldn't have offered, as my little 3 (6 pound boy, 9 pound boy, 8 pound girl, all neutered, of course) are constantly fracassing to be top dog. I've walked him and observed his behaviour around other dogs: he playbows to all of them, no matter what the size, and there's absolutely none of this paw-over-the-back or trying to mount stuff. He lets me take food out of his mouth without any problems. I intend to put him in doggie day care (financed by his owners) on the days I work, and will be keeping him seperated from the other dogs when I'm not home otherwise until I've ascertained that he's 100% okay with them, no matter what. I live close to 2 different off-leash parks, so will be taking him there on a regular basis. He's very easy to train, and I have his owners' permission to train him in dogscootering (I have the scooter already :-)). I may also get him certified as a therapy dog. I have to admit it will be nice to have a big dog to take on nighttime walks. Any other tips for peaceful coexistance with dogs of such different sizes would be very welcome. If it's anything like my four, Baxter will have more problems from your little dogs than they will from him (outside of having to dodge a big goofy energetic dog). Dylan (GSD) and Oppie (Lab) act more amused (bemused?) than anything when Gordo and Chile (Chihuahuas) try to attack or boss them around; the big dogs are very gentle with the little dogs. Dylan is dominant, but she lays off the little dogs and just bosses Oppie, and lets the little dogs chase her. Tips off the top of my head: Let the little dogs have a "safe" space, where they can get out of Baxter's way. Our little dogs are allowed up on furniture and beds; the big dogs aren't. Some people use a gate with a small opening that allows the little dogs through, but not the big dog. Feed them in separate spaces or separate rooms. Teach Baxter a command to calm down and sit, for use if he gets too wound up around the little dogs. It sounds like he's a love, and will be a lot of fun for you. FurPaw -- Brain cells come and brain cells go, but fat cells live forever. To reply, unleash the dog. |
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#7
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#9
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FurPaw wrote:
If it's anything like my four, Baxter will have more problems from your little dogs than they will from him (outside of having to dodge a big goofy energetic dog) My family's chihuahua, Senorita Dona Maria Chica, was loved by everybody. The man who built our porch wanted to do it for free if we'd give him the dog. The TV repairman also offered free lifetime service in e*change for Chica. And there was an elderly couple with two dobies who begged to have her over for week-end visits occasionally. Since she seemed to really enjoy the visits, we let them. They said when it was feeding time, Chica would stand guard over the bowls until she was finished. The dobies would respectfully stand back until she gave them the signal that it was okay for them to eat - after her. She wasn't allowed to sleep with us at home (mom, y'know), but the elderly couple let her sleep in their bed. They said when it was nearing bedtime, she'd stand at the top of the stairs and bark, letting them know that they should come to bed now. Little stinker. PetsMart Pet Trainer My Kids, My Students, My Life: http://hometown.aol.com/dfrntdrums/m...age/index.html Last updated June 27 at 10:00 a.m. |
#10
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FurPaw wrote:
If it's anything like my four, Baxter will have more problems from your little dogs than they will from him (outside of having to dodge a big goofy energetic dog) My family's chihuahua, Senorita Dona Maria Chica, was loved by everybody. The man who built our porch wanted to do it for free if we'd give him the dog. The TV repairman also offered free lifetime service in e*change for Chica. And there was an elderly couple with two dobies who begged to have her over for week-end visits occasionally. Since she seemed to really enjoy the visits, we let them. They said when it was feeding time, Chica would stand guard over the bowls until she was finished. The dobies would respectfully stand back until she gave them the signal that it was okay for them to eat - after her. She wasn't allowed to sleep with us at home (mom, y'know), but the elderly couple let her sleep in their bed. They said when it was nearing bedtime, she'd stand at the top of the stairs and bark, letting them know that they should come to bed now. Little stinker. PetsMart Pet Trainer My Kids, My Students, My Life: http://hometown.aol.com/dfrntdrums/m...age/index.html Last updated June 27 at 10:00 a.m. |
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