We picked up an 8 month old english mastiff friday. We currently have a 6 year old. We told the old owners that this is a trial, and our old girl is #1 priority. We didn't know how she would react. She's super friendly and loving to dogs that visit. The downside is that she will mess you up if you get in front of her food. Severe food aggression issues. That's not a huge problem, we just feed them in different rooms.
At first things were fine. They got along well, but the longer it goes, the more the Emma (original dog) seems to understand that it's not a visiting dog (Mia) and she's more and more annoyed. I would say her behavior towards Mia is tolerance for the most part. But then Mia puts her face into Emma's, trying to snuggle or lick her or who knows what - nothing aggressive - and Emma growls. I've never heard this dog growl at another dog. She'll bark and growl if people are walking by on the street while in protection mode, but that's mostly it.
The second night together Mia tried to get into bed with Emma, and we were woke by growling and barking - and then Emma came into our bed and nothing I could do would get her out.
I'm hoping some of you have more experience in this and can tell me if this is something that will pass? Will it get worse? Or even better is this normal behavior? Is she just expressing herself and the new pup will learn some boundaries? I guess my big concern is .. how long do we evaluate this before we know for sure that it isn't going to work? My wife is extremely stressed out by the situation, and we're going back and forth on what to do. Part of me thinks that what I'm seeing is normal dog behavior, but if I'm wrong and Mia ends up seriously injured or worse, I am not going to forgive myself.
Appreciate any help. Thanks.
At first things were fine. They got along well, but the longer it goes, the more the Emma (original dog) seems to understand that it's not a visiting dog (Mia) and she's more and more annoyed. I would say her behavior towards Mia is tolerance for the most part. But then Mia puts her face into Emma's, trying to snuggle or lick her or who knows what - nothing aggressive - and Emma growls. I've never heard this dog growl at another dog. She'll bark and growl if people are walking by on the street while in protection mode, but that's mostly it.
The second night together Mia tried to get into bed with Emma, and we were woke by growling and barking - and then Emma came into our bed and nothing I could do would get her out.
I'm hoping some of you have more experience in this and can tell me if this is something that will pass? Will it get worse? Or even better is this normal behavior? Is she just expressing herself and the new pup will learn some boundaries? I guess my big concern is .. how long do we evaluate this before we know for sure that it isn't going to work? My wife is extremely stressed out by the situation, and we're going back and forth on what to do. Part of me thinks that what I'm seeing is normal dog behavior, but if I'm wrong and Mia ends up seriously injured or worse, I am not going to forgive myself.
Appreciate any help. Thanks.