Can These 2 Ever Get Along?

[luvmypuppy]

My daughter can no longer keep her 8 month old chihuahua/Bishon mix. I would like to take her. She was at my home often when my chihuahua was also a puppy and every so often (usually over food, a toy, or if my daughter or I was paying attention to one of them) they would start growling and really going after each other....drawing a little blood twice. I had asked my daughter at that time to not bring her dog over.
If I can't take her puppy, she will go to the pound and I do not want to see that happen. But I do not want to commit to taking her then have my dog and hers at each others throats.
Is there any way this might work? Has anyone had a similar experience and had a positive outcome?

 

[Renee750il]

The best way to start this is to bring the two dogs together in a neutral setting and allow them to sniff and do all those doggy things. I'd do this at least a couple of times before bringing your daughter's dog home with you if possible. When it's time, have your daughter meet you wherever you've been meeting with the dogs, let them play a bit, then you bring them home together. That way you've got them both coming home at the same time, instead of having your dog already ensconced and the other coming in as an interloper.

 

[Doberluv]

So this is a girl dog. What sex is your's? Often the same sex will not get along. I agree with Rene. Neutral territory is good. Take a walk with them together, walking along side with you and your daughter parallel. Don't make a fuss, just keep things moving. Often dogs will go for that when they won't go for anything else. After a while, try in your yard and see how it goes. It's hard to say for sure if they'll ever get along. But they might. I'd give it a little time to practice with leashes on. If one gets nasty, don't scold, but distract and give an alternate behavior to perform. Give the dog something else to think about and praise for that. Keep high value items, food, treats, toys put away or seperate. Feed seperately and don't leave toys out for them. When you're paying attention to someone else and a dog gets snarky, I'd tend to seperate that dog from the group. Socially isolate, but do not punish or get emotional....just matter of fact, here you go...in your crate or in another room for a couple minutes, then try again. Repeat as needed. Be careful not to associate the crate with a punishment and keep all anger out of it. Just be calm. Good luck. It would be terrible to send that dog to the pound. It's such a shame she can't keep her.

 

[luvmypuppy]

Both dogs are females. Mine is spayed, my daughters isn't yet. Thank you for the helpful advice. When my daughter used to bring her dog to my home both dogs would be getting along just fine and all of a sudden there would be a fight. It was often hard to break them up without getting bitten. It was scary. My animals always got along well together and I have brought in all kinds of animals. The others might have gotten their noses out of joint for a while but they came around and accepted (even if they were never buddies) the other animals. These two just seem to be like oil and water.