Well everyone,meet Rocky.

[Rits]

Congrats on the new addition! Follow through, keep all prized possessions up until they sort out their standings in the pack, and start right away on that leash training and recall while on leash. It's much easier to teach him how to recall on leash because you physically can make him come versus trying to correct a bad recall that's being enforced because he can get away.

I love his happy face!

 

[Gelcoater]

 

[Gelcoater]

Had to break up the biggest scuffle yet this afternoon.
However this evening they played ok.
Healthy(I think?) bonding time wrestling.
When they do this Daisy's Mohawk is all up,his isn't at all.This kind of play is new to her pretty much.By the time she was about 2 Maxie stopped wanting to play as old age took its toll.My parents Goldens won't engage in play like that with her.They do with each other but it's much...softer than Dobes tend to play
Tonight,do far no issues,dogs fed,played a little.Kids playing the mind craft game we rented for the night,Daisy curled up sleeping inside.Gelcoater and Rocky,the two Dudes,are chillin in the garage

 

[dh8]

You've got the right perspective. It would be highly unusual if you had no scuffles or shouting matches between 2 new Dobermans. You took control quickly and the dogs played again afterwards. It's all good...

Teddy our lab isn't big on the Doberman type jumping play either. It's pretty funny when he does though! Looks like a big goof slapping blindly...then he uses his bulk like an elephant to just push them out of the way or drag them along...

 

[Gelcoater]

Another day,another fight.

I'm thinking this may not work out.
He has a serious issue I can't get a handle on.

Here's the situation.


This morning.
Walking on leash,both dogs,me with Rocky and Sam with Daisy.
All the way down the street his focus changes from sniff to look at Daisy,sniff,make a bit of a lunge at her,then back to walking and sniffing.

Once we hit the dirt,and the area has been visually cleared of people and dog we let them off leash.She wants to sniff now and he turns into the Hulk,going agro at her.This pisses her off and now they start fighting.For him it was kind if a game it seems,part keep away and part Ninja attack, not appropriate behavior.Once Daisy shifts into fight mode then he does too.

Once I break them out of it then they go to acting like pals for the most part.

It sucks,as he's a great fit in every other way.He's a bit too aggressive for her and she's over it.
I believe he would be better in a home with either a much less dominant dog or a much more dominant dog that would put him in his place...such as his experience with Aprils dogs.He sure as heck didn't try this with them while I was watching.He did it to Daisy,but not with them.
She told me(and one of the first things she told me at that) was he came to her thinking he was all the tuff guy,so it's not like this is out of left field or anything.We're going to try to deal but at this point he needs some training or??? that is beyond my experience.Quite honestly it may be beyond my patients level as well.
I wish dh8 lived closer
Rocky is a good boy,except for this issue.He's a great big lover.He's sweet with my kids,and wife.He's a bit goofy at times.
His basic commands he has down solid.
He's so proud of himself for getting the stairs mastered.He went down this morning then turned around and went right back up.He did this 3 or 4 times

 

[Gelcoater]

In some ways he's still a big puppy.

 

[dh8]

Bummer! Wish I could help too.

Have there been any honest bites/breaking of skin or is it all big loud pissing contest growling? Are you able to redirect him with anything before he goes after her...catch him at the point of his quick super focus on her? Do either of them respond to your corrections before they go growling?

Maybe get him super interested in some sort of retrieval game to take the focus off your dog for the first few minutes of outside time?

Maybe bike with them for 10-15 minutes before letting them run together? We tire everyone a little for a few days before group play when we bring new dogs in. It really helps take the edge off and make the fun time more relaxed while everyone gets comfortable with their new situation. Worth a shot to try biking with him and her separately, let them tire and see how they get on with the walk and free roaming.

If they still get pissy on the calm walk after being tired out a bit, maybe not a good fit for your situation. If they do get calm and get along well, it may be something to think about working on. It's tough because going out for the big walk/free run is a super exciting time and the excitement can lead to the worst behavior.

I have to redirect Lexi with just about every dog she meets for the first few days. She can be the Queen B of all Queen B's just like she is the biggest love bunny you'll ever meet once she approves of you. Not mean but dominant. Her play bows are more of a scream "play with me NOW" than a gentle invitation to play. Ironically she's super respectful of old dogs and sets up a protected perimeter if anyone falls down that's really embarrassing. She scared the heck out of Duke in the beginning. He can't play enough with her now.

How do they do with group training? Just having them go through all the basics at the same time?

No judgment here. It really is like dating. There are bumps in the road and it takes time to see how things really will go.

I wish you luck!

 

[dh8]

He looks so much like Duke!

 

[Gelcoater]

They were just taking a break as I sat here and typed that last post,then got up and had a little play session in front of me.Neither of them took it too far and this time when Daisy was done he let it go.Not sure i will continue to let them do that in the house though,it's not a very large house.The wood floor keeps traction low,keeping them from getting into their afterburners.

 

[Gelcoater]

Sorry the pic quality isn't great.Iphone pics and lighting sucked.

This would be a great shot had it been with a quality camera.Look at his face
This was probably their most civil play session.

 

[DocReverto]

Congrats man!! That is awesome!

 

[dh8]

If they can play like that inside and separate on their own, it's a really good sign.

 

[gettinggreyer]

After reading EVERYTHING, and your last post, sounds like HE is learning to play! He is doing so much better. Your a GREAT dober parent!

 

[dh8]

Just thinking...he came from a place where his owner couldn't give him proper exercise. Your walks and free roaming have to be SUPER MEGA exciting for him. I'd be surprised if exercising them with a quick bike ride beforehand didn't work well. He doesn't yet understand the exercise and free roaming will be normal for him.

 

[Gelcoater]

Bummer! Wish I could help too.

Have there been any honest bites/breaking of skin or is it all big loud pissing contest growling? Are you able to redirect him with anything before he goes after her...catch him at the point of his quick super focus on her? Do either of them respond to your corrections before they go growling?

Pretty much the pissing match,only because Daisy hasn't latched onto him..yet.She didn't do much growling,he started in on her and she went straight nuclear bitch in .03 seconds.Once she goes there,she's there.I can get her out of it,by physically grabbing her by the back legs.I pretty much slide her right back.She would stop but we have him coming in then she opens up on him again.

Maybe get him super interested in some sort of retrieval game to take the focus off your dog for the first few minutes of outside time?

She would want what ever it was too,= fight.

Maybe bike with them for 10-15 minutes before letting them run together? We tire everyone a little for a few days before group play when we bring new dogs in. It really helps take the edge off and make the fun time more relaxed while everyone gets comfortable with their new situation. Worth a shot to try biking with him and her separately, let them tire and see how they get on with the walk and free roaming.


Don't have a bike,but maybe a 15 minute lead can help.The issue is the behavior.I need to figure out how to fix that.

 

[Gelcoater]

Dang it,my techno idiocy.I tried to get my response in orange inside the quote.Epic fail.

 

[Gelcoater]

Just thinking...he came from a place where his owner couldn't give him proper exercise. Your walks and free roaming have to be SUPER MEGA exciting for him. I'd be surprised if exercising them with a quick bike ride beforehand didn't work well. He doesn't yet understand the exercise and free roaming will be normal for him.

Lol,no.
April's place is 2+ acres,he had plenty of room to play there,and with several Dobes as well as horses,chickens,turkeys,goats,etc.
If anything our hills are a bit underwhelming for him.

 

[dh8]

Didn't realize rescue had him for more than a few days. Tiring them a bit before big roaming for a few days should still help.

 

[Gelcoater]

Didn't realize rescue had him for more than a few days. Tiring them a bit before big roaming for a few days should still help.

She's had him for a while,close to a year??If I remember?

Not sure how I would do this on days I had planned to walk them both by my self?
The usual pattern is after getting the kids to school,if I'm not working that day,we walk early.
On days I do work,the wife will take Daisy for the walk.Usually thats an afternoon walk,she works nights,so the walk would be after getting kids from school. She is not nearly as dog savvy,and probably not capable of breaking up two 85lb dogs.

 

[Gelcoater]

Look at Daisy.Can you see the in her eyes?