please help! any advice is appritiated.

[Jerri]

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I am new to this site; I came here in hopes of finding some help. I have a 5 year old male Great Dane cross that came from the pets for life foundation 2 years ago. Riley-bear did have some issues when he came to us but with training and love most of them have been worked out. We brought home a 1 year old male Great Dane last night, and things are not going so well. The new boy is being fairly passive with things; but my older boy is being quite dominant and aggresive. Any insight as to what we can do to make the transition easy??

 

[Dizzy]

For one, it's only been one night, so don't panic, could be perfectly harmless.

What is he actually doing? Growling? Fighting? If you expand on what you mean by dominant and aggressive it'll give a better idea of how to help

Are you keeping them apart, or together?

How did you do introductions? In the home? Outside? Other?

How did they meet -offlead, onlead?

Etc.

More info people have, the more people can offer advice

 

[Danefied]

Yes, more info please
Also, are both boys neutered?

 

[Jerri]

we introduced them in our house( hindsight: not the best idea), to start with Riley-bear was excited, they smelled each other for a short time, Riley-bear jumped down in the "lets play stance" We then sent them out side in the yard and they ran and played for a few min. when they came back in Riley-bear started growling, he snapped at him a bit with no contact made. From there it continued. Riley-bear would not allow Tucker in the same room with us with out growling and getting side by side with Tucker showing his teeth. After an hour of that going on we separated them into different rooms. First thing this morning Riley-bear started again with Tucker so they have been apart ever since. My husband has said that he will try them together again when he gets home from work. I think that it will be best for me to leave when that happens as I know that I get vary concerned and my anxiety is not helping at all! yes both boys are neutered

 

[Danefied]

What were Riley's issues before that you worked through? Was he a fearful dog?

How does Tucker respond to Riley's displays?

When you re-introduce them, I would do it outside. I like to do intros with the resident dogs off lead and the new dog on lead, but I have good voice control over our resident dogs. You may have to have them both on lead at first, and keep them moving. No nose, to nose intros, just walking around near each other on lead. Do "fly by's" When the fly by's become ho-hum (which may take several days BTW), try turning the more relaxed dog loose, and keep moving with the other dog.

Are these boys neutered?
Did you get your new boy from a rescue? What's his background?

 

[Jerri]

Yes both are neutered.

Riley-bear was great with people, and seemed good with other dogs as long as he was not on lead. He would jump and bark at any passing walkers when on lead. We took him to classes and gave him a ton more interactions with off leash dogs. That seemed to solve his issue.

Tucker came from a home. He was at his owner’s side all day every day. He stayed at his work place with him and he had a lot of interactions with people. when we asked if he was well socialized with other dogs he kind of pranced around the question, saying that that in his first 9 months he was around other dogs a lot, that he had Saturday play dates at a puppy center.
Tucker has been pretty good with it all. He has not growled back. but does not back away from Riley-bear either. He just freezes where he is. This afternoon though, when making and exchange from one room to outside, they caught sight of each other, Riley reacted with barking teeth bore, and pulling to get closer, this was the first time that tucker barked back.

 

[milos_mommy]

Has Riley always been on leash when he growls at Tucker (or is that when the growling started)?

Many dogs get along with other dogs off leash, but are not comfortable around them on-leash. Especially if Riley had issues with lunging on leash before, he may be too frustrated, stressed, or frightened on leash to feel comfortable around another dog.

 

[Jerri]

Riley and Tucker are working things out. I'm so happy they are sleeping together. (4 feet away) They have not had a problem with any growling in two days.

Is it normal to Dane's to have clicking in their wrists? There is no sign of bowing that I can see. We have an appointment with the vet next week. Should I been worried about it or is it normal for Dane's when they are growing?