New family members

[Lindsey]

I was worried about that too Janet. Layla and Kash still seem to be fighting over being alpha. Sometimes they're okay with each other, but when Kash gets obnoxious with the toys in front of her, she will start barking. He growled at her a couple of times when she'd get close to his face, and last night he nipped her on the neck. That's not okay with how fragile her neck is but Scott was right there and pulled him off immediately, and Layla stopped barking at him and hasn't barked at him since. Maybe she will back down and just let him be boss. He has never tried to hurt her, just wanted to put her in her place this time I think. He's never been pushy with either of them. Not long after that happened, we took Layla to the vet for a pee sample, and when we got home, Kash had peed on some plastic grocery bags that were sitting in the hall with extension cords in them. We know it was him because there was actually some pee IN the bags too. This is the first time he has marked in our house and I hope it's the last. He stopped marking in the foster mom's house as soon as he was neutered.

Layla and Kash were both okay to lay in bed with us last night. They were only maybe 6 inches apart, and they both fell asleep. Layla actually scurreid under the covers and was squished right up against him later, but she might have thought it was one of us outside the covers! They sleep in beds right beside each other and they are content to do that.

We are trying to give Layla some extra special attention still. I think it will help.

Poor Lucy probably thinks she's living in a zoo. She is so timid! She is such a sweet little girl though. She has been loving treats and has even given us a few little kisses on our fingers and faces! She has been through a lot in the past couple of months too, with being abandoned, having surgeries, losing all her teeth, going to a foster home, and then another new home. I know it's going to take her a little longer to really adjust.

I have taken a few more pictures so I will post them when I get them off my camera!

[judy]

Originally Posted by Lindsey

I was worried about that too Janet. Layla and Kash still seem to be fighting over being alpha. Sometimes they're okay with each other, but when Kash gets obnoxious with the toys in front of her, she will start barking. He growled at her a couple of times when she'd get close to his face, and last night he nipped her on the neck. That's not okay with how fragile her neck is but Scott was right there and pulled him off immediately, and Layla stopped barking at him and hasn't barked at him since. Maybe she will back down and just let him be boss. He has never tried to hurt her, just wanted to put her in her place this time I think. He's never been pushy with either of them. Not long after that happened, we took Layla to the vet for a pee sample, and when we got home, Kash had peed on some plastic grocery bags that were sitting in the hall with extension cords in them. We know it was him because there was actually some pee IN the bags too. This is the first time he has marked in our house and I hope it's the last. He stopped marking in the foster mom's house as soon as he was neutered.

Layla and Kash were both okay to lay in bed with us last night. They were only maybe 6 inches apart, and they both fell asleep. Layla actually scurreid under the covers and was squished right up against him later, but she might have thought it was one of us outside the covers! They sleep in beds right beside each other and they are content to do that.

We are trying to give Layla some extra special attention still. I think it will help.

Poor Lucy probably thinks she's living in a zoo. She is so timid! She is such a sweet little girl though. She has been loving treats and has even given us a few little kisses on our fingers and faces! She has been through a lot in the past couple of months too, with being abandoned, having surgeries, losing all her teeth, going to a foster home, and then another new home. I know it's going to take her a little longer to really adjust.

I have taken a few more pictures so I will post them when I get them off my camera!

Max and Annie fight for alpha all the time! She is in charge of me, he is in charge of the food, but God help him if he takes her treats! (and he does). Layla and Kash will work it out. I'm sure you will make sure she isn't too stressed now that you know she has health issues. Is she still going to your Grandma's?

[Lindsey]

Yes, Layla still goes to my grandma's so she gets to relax and sleep alone all day!

[JJJ]

I have two alphas too and they seem to work things out. I did train my bigger boy to wait while I feed the girls and that seems to work. What I can't train him to do is share his toys

[Shada]

I love the rescues! So very happy you took them both into your home! What cuties they all are! Hoping Layla will adjust having to two new sibling. Just watch them close.. I know you are.

I think Cash looks like a maltese too. I have a maltese so I am a little partial... and then my mom has her yorkie, so I love them too!!!

[DianaB]

Jazzi wants to be the alpha dog but she's mean about it especiallly when they are going outside. We found out that if Reuger goes out first then she will respect him more. If she goes out first then she waits for Reuger and bites him all the way down the sidewalk. As far as the food goes there doesn't seem to be a problem.

I hope they all get things worked out and leave Layla alone. I bet that she'll enjoy the company of the others once she gets used to them.

[judy]

If Layla has her Grandma all day, she really has it good! Do they all eat together? If you feed Layla first, she may become the alpha. You and Scott are the real alphas, and I would think you can kind of push the hierarchy among the three dogs. It doesn't sound like Lucy is going to be a problem for Layla, being that she is so shy.

I love you both for taking the 2 rescues in!