we recently (6 months ago) adopted a new dog. We have one inside dog (who this post will be about) and 3 outside working dogs and 2 outside cats. All female. Some background:
OG dog: 3, poodle. Has only ever been the only inside dog since we got her as a puppy. Very energetic, crazy. Loves her toys and runs. Has massive FOMO always has to be involved in the action. Adores playing with our outside working dogs when they are available. They will chase her and she will run circles around them. She loves chasing the cats as well. Has always played well with other dogs as well. Is our darling girl, very spoilt.
New dog: 3/4ish, poodle cross (unsure). Adopted recently as we thought OG dog needed a friend. We have since realised the information the shelter gave us was misinformed – things like her training, energy etc. she is a lazy girl. Loves the couch and is more than happy to do her own thing. Is slightly anxious but seems to be fine with all dogs. Not exactly what we were looking for but we adore her anyway.
Now, OG dog (I think) wants to play with new dog. She will run at her and nip and growl, jumping on her and over her. Slightly rough play but not dangerous. Very very similar to how she plays with our outside dogs and cats. New dog is so uninterested it’s almost funny. She will sit there and just take it and not care. Her tail will be wagging but she is unaffected by it. Eventually OG dog will give up. Maybe every second or third day, new dog will get a bout of energy and do some running with OG dog. OG dog will still try to nip at her and growl. I am not sure if I should discourage this type of play as new dog is obviously uninterested, but still unphased by it.
The other thing is jealousy from OG dog. If we pick up new dog, OG dog will bark and growl at her and us. Recently OG dog has started to jump up and bite new dogs tail while we are carrying her. If we are ever patting new dog, OG dog will come in and bark, growl and nip at new dog. As I said new dog is completely unphased by this behaviour (even the tail biting) but we still are trying to discourage it.
For the past 6 months we have consistently ignored OG dog if she displays this jealous behaviour and rewarded her if she does eventually stop it. We have tried pushing her away when she starts growling. We have tried yelling no at her and giving her a small smack on the nose which she knows is wrong as she will then go and sit in her bed and sulk. Yet she is still displaying this behaviour. We constantly give the dogs attention together. Eg. First thing in the morning when I let them out I give them both big cuddles together and also when I get home from work, big cuddles together. OG dog also is still getting the same amount of attention, especially considering new dog is happy sleeping all the time and OG dog is still wanting to play with her toys etc.
Not sure where to go considering it’s been 6 months similar behaviour without any changes. At the start I knew we would have some problems with OG dog and her FOMO but I didn’t think it would last more than 6 months.
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