Two new dogs having problems settling in

Tinkerbell22

We are having some problems with two new dogs that have joined our household this week. They are not major issues but Id be sooo grateful if anyone has any advice or tips on what we could do to solve them.

Basically the story is that we already have a 12 years old male dog who has been with us since he was a puppy. We decided this year that we would get another dog as he loves company and playing with other dogs. We wanted to try and get a rescue dog and give someone a loving home. So this week we came across two ShihTzus who needed to be homed together. They are a 3 years old brother and sister and needed to stay together as they really are eachothers worlds.
We brought them home and did the normal introducing and everything seemed to go perfectly......no fighting, our resident dog was welcoming, and the two newbies seemed happy. But since then there has been one or two hitches!! The brother and sister are now ignoring our old dog and just hanging out with eachother, this is kinda upsetting our old dog as when he tries to interact with them they completely blank him, or the girl dog may occasionally snap. We are not sure if this is because our old dog isnt neutered and they are, or if they just need time to adjust. Or is it that some dogs just dont get along? :eek:

The other slight problem we are having is with toilet issues!!! They dont seem to like going outside and dont seem to realise that outside time is toilet time too lol. Needless to say there are "presents" appearing on the floor quite a bit. We are treating this as if they are puppies and need to be housetrained all over again, but any tips would be welcome as they seem to be totally in the habit of just being allowed to go to the loo inside.

Any help on making ours a happy household for all our bundles of fluff?
Thanks

**Vai**

Ive never heard of dogs being ignored by other dogs before, thats a first. Give it some time would be my first instinct.
As for the toilet problem, you're just gonna have to be tough with them and put them outside when your original dog is going out. Keep an eye on them and dont let them back in until they have gone to the toilet, indoors (specially in winter) becomes a reward for going outside.

toadfly

When we got Ozzie in February, Tilly ignored him for a good month or more. Literally didnt even acknowledge he existed. He'd jump onto the couch and she'd move to a different chair!

She is normally cranky enough with new dogs that come into the house, it was like she knew he was staying and wasnt happy. They are brilliant together now so just give it time. It might take longer for you as you have two new dogs that have already bonded closely together.

Maybe bring one new dog and your "old" dog for a walk together or bring one new dog and leave the other two to bond together. Might be easier that way than trying all three together.

portgirl123

Tinkerbell22 wrote: »

We are having some problems with two new dogs that have joined our household this week. They are not major issues but Id be sooo grateful if anyone has any advice or tips on what we could do to solve them.

Basically the story is that we already have a 12 years old male dog who has been with us since he was a puppy. We decided this year that we would get another dog as he loves company and playing with other dogs. We wanted to try and get a rescue dog and give someone a loving home. So this week we came across two ShihTzus who needed to be homed together. They are a 3 years old brother and sister and needed to stay together as they really are eachothers worlds.
We brought them home and did the normal introducing and everything seemed to go perfectly......no fighting, our resident dog was welcoming, and the two newbies seemed happy. But since then there has been one or two hitches!! The brother and sister are now ignoring our old dog and just hanging out with eachother, this is kinda upsetting our old dog as when he tries to interact with them they completely blank him, or the girl dog may occasionally snap. We are not sure if this is because our old dog isnt neutered and they are, or if they just need time to adjust. Or is it that some dogs just dont get along? :eek:

The other slight problem we are having is with toilet issues!!! They dont seem to like going outside and dont seem to realise that outside time is toilet time too lol. Needless to say there are "presents" appearing on the floor quite a bit. We are treating this as if they are puppies and need to be housetrained all over again, but any tips would be welcome as they seem to be totally in the habit of just being allowed to go to the loo inside.

Any help on making ours a happy household for all our bundles of fluff?
Thanks

are these the 2 shih tzu that were on done deal a few days ago. they were bro and sis as well. if so they were lovely.
can only repeat what the others have said with the toilet training be firm but kind and they should finally cop on. what was the history were they indoor/outdoor dogs.
i can believe that they are ignoring ur dog as they say if 2 littermates are left together, most good breeders wont let 2 litter mates be homed together, that they will bond with each other to well and wont bont with owners

Tinkerbell22

Thanks for the replies guys.
A few days later and I think things are beginning to change lol. We are just starting the housetraining from scratch and they are going out every chance we get But there were no "pressies" this morning when we got up so think we may be ok soon enough on that front. They were indoor dogs but we think the move might have just thrown them off.

TillyGirl thats good to know that this can happen sometimes. Phew lol we were getting worried that we would have to get doggy therapy or something They are still pretty much ignoring him most of the time, but the brother dog is warming to him. He will walk past him and sniff him and even follow him outside, although its always a bit far behind him so as not to look like he is actually following him heehee. Its so cute.

All are curled up on the couch at the moment, different ends of course :rolleyes: and I am on the floor haha that tells you who rules this roost