We got our new puppy about a week ago (See "The sheltie I actually brought home!") I was going to wait to name him, but my husband asked if he could name him "Buddy". I'm so excited that my husband loves him, that I agreed immediately. When we were at the breeder's they said that he was the one that liked to cuddle, and at first that was how it was. After a few days the sheltie pup and our bichon became very close friends. Now they don't want to be with us, they just want to play with each other. Today I separated them so that we could play with Buddy, but all Buddy wanted to do was look for the Bichon. I am considering separating them for longer periods (maybe 4hours a day), in order that the sheltie isn't ruined as a pet. Any suggestions on how to handle this?
Help! Our first behavior problem
- Thread starter Crystal1
- Start date
I actually wouldn't suggest separating them! I think it's great that they get along! And I think if you separated them, you will actually have a bigger, more serious issue with our bichon. This about two kids...they're having fun, enjoying themselves together...you take them away with each other and only put attention towards the one....the other one is going to do whatever it can to get the attention back..this could mean a variety of things - but more often then not, BAD things! If you're going to do something like that then take them for walks at the same time, but different routes. But I definitely wouldn't separate then like that. This is just my personal opinion tho...other people may disagree! Good luck in whatever you choose to do! 
When we got the Bichon, we regreted it in 2 weeks, but thought it would be too stressful for the Bichon to change homes again (we were it's 4th home in about a year). We have spent hundreds of dollars training him and read most of the dog training books in the library. What we came up with was that the Bichon was smart and "independent" (same as obstinate). We have had him for more than a year and love him, but do not like him. He has serious behavior problems, and we have to put him away when company comes. We bought the sheltie puppy because I have always had shelties, and they are very loving and great companion for us, not the Bichon. At first I was very excited about them being friends, but it has gotten to the point that the sheltie is no longer interested in human companionship, only the Bichon. I didn't buy the Sheltie for the Bichon, I bought him for me. I will not let the Bichon ruin the Sheltie. If I can't find a way to get the Sheltie to pay attention to us, I am more than willing to rehome the Bichon. I know this sounds cruel, but it is better than having 2 bad dogs. Please help!!!
Caro
Moderator
Seperating them for a period during the day is fine - I would do this anyway when you are not home. What is important thought is to introduce fun activities to bond between you and the sheltie. I walked both my shelties seperately for the first year.
It isn't unusual for the puppy to want to be around and snuggle up to another dog - it will miss its own family still. My younger dog did this even though the older one hated it. I doubt there is much you can do. But be careful about favouring the sheltie over the Bichon - you don't want them to get into fights.
I didn't like my female for a while -she was so naughty as a youngster but now I see it as her being extra needy - maybe your Bichon is the same and could be attention seeking in the only way it knows how You said it follows you around everywhere so it probably really loves and needs you (there was an excellent Victoria Stillwell episode on a dog that was overly needy but displaying it through being nasty).
And don't worry about the bad behaviour rubbing off - more of the good behaviour rubs off!
It isn't unusual for the puppy to want to be around and snuggle up to another dog - it will miss its own family still. My younger dog did this even though the older one hated it. I doubt there is much you can do. But be careful about favouring the sheltie over the Bichon - you don't want them to get into fights.
I didn't like my female for a while -she was so naughty as a youngster but now I see it as her being extra needy - maybe your Bichon is the same and could be attention seeking in the only way it knows how You said it follows you around everywhere so it probably really loves and needs you (there was an excellent Victoria Stillwell episode on a dog that was overly needy but displaying it through being nasty).
And don't worry about the bad behaviour rubbing off - more of the good behaviour rubs off!
Do you have crates? Both dogs should have a crate and both dogs should get one on one time. I live with a pack of shelties and part of raising puppies with multiple dogs is making sure they get time to be alone with their people so they don't just bond to the pack. It is also not healthy for the dogs not to be able to be alone without freaking out. My suggestion is to crate one dog while you take the other dog out. I would suggest going out so you don't spend all the time with the dog trying to get to the crated dog.
elaine2004
Forums Enthusiast
Sounds like a human problem to me.
The dogs should do fine together. Sounds to me like You are wanting the attention and don't want to share the Sheltie love.
Maybe this is exactly what the Bichon needed companionship of another dog!
Give it a try . Have you tried playing with the both of them as a team? Try playing fetch with them or just chasing each other around. That is what I did when I had a Multiple animal home. They learned to welcome each other into games and when they tuckered out it was quiet time for me.
You have nothing to lose. But I'm afraid to say sounds like the Bichon is on it's way out . And it's because you want the Sheltie to yourself. I don't want you to think I'm mean Just remember animals need other animals also.
The dogs should do fine together. Sounds to me like You are wanting the attention and don't want to share the Sheltie love.
Maybe this is exactly what the Bichon needed companionship of another dog! Give it a try . Have you tried playing with the both of them as a team? Try playing fetch with them or just chasing each other around. That is what I did when I had a Multiple animal home. They learned to welcome each other into games and when they tuckered out it was quiet time for me. You have nothing to lose. But I'm afraid to say sounds like the Bichon is on it's way out . And it's because you want the Sheltie to yourself. I don't want you to think I'm mean Just remember animals need other animals also.shelly&sara
Forums Regular
you should not separate them, and play with just one of them. they are a pack now and get along well. if u separate them to play with one u will divide the pack and make jealousy. its only been a week and its still all new to them give it time. the new ness will wear off and u will get alone time with each of them u will see it was like that when i brought sara home too shelly was up her but so i could not be alone with her. now when shelly wants to go take a nap she just does and leaves sara alone.
It is incredibly important that a bond doesn't exist solely between the dogs, but between you and the dogs as well. With the varying ages of the dogs, there is a good chance one of them will die first (As much as we hate to think about it) and I feel that if dogs are to closely bonded, it can cause even more problems in that difficult stage of life. It can also make it difficult if one dog has to go somewhere without the other...I had to go somewhere with my older border collie mix or the day, and my sheltie was jumping at every shadow and was terrified, because he always depended on her for comfort.
Always do obedience training seperate, and encourage games where they are both there - but the interaction is with you, rather than just each other. (Instead of them wrestling with each other, play fetch or a game along those lines)
Always do obedience training seperate, and encourage games where they are both there - but the interaction is with you, rather than just each other. (Instead of them wrestling with each other, play fetch or a game along those lines)
BarbV
Forums Celebrity
I would focus on activities that have both the dogs playing with YOU together - so that you become pack leader! And don't forget games with treats!
My guys love to play together but they also love to compete for who gets to sit next to Mom - which means two 2o to 25 lb furry bundles crawling all over me!
Give it some time - 1 week is not very long - it takes many weeks for them to sort out the new family dynamics.
Good luck!
My guys love to play together but they also love to compete for who gets to sit next to Mom - which means two 2o to 25 lb furry bundles crawling all over me!
Give it some time - 1 week is not very long - it takes many weeks for them to sort out the new family dynamics.
Good luck!
Yes, I think we'll give it a little more time. I should have just told you that for the last 2-3 days, whenever either of us picks up Buddy (the sheltie pup) he squirms and cries to get back to the Bichon. I was happy when the dogs first became friends, and today is much better. The sheltie wants to spend some time with me and my husband, as well as the Bichon today. I do have separate crates for both dogs to sleep in, and will try spending time separately with each of them, which is what I did before. We have tried very hard to give the Bichon equal attention. You have to be severely Alpha in order to be able to tolerate the Bichon--neither of us have been comfortable with what seems to me as cruel, but otherwise he won't mind at all. I feel like an Army drill sergent when I act that way, and have never had to act like that with my other shelties. I have had 3 shelties at one time before and have had them love me and each other. That is what I will try to do for now. Thanks for all your help.