[tpetzold]

I'm feeling horrible. Our first night is a nightmare so far. We've kept them apart pretty well, but every time she sees him she snarls and growls. Even if he's across the room. He walked past the couch she was on and she went nuts and lept from the couch, luckily my BF was able to catch her before she fell.

This is so heartbreaking. I think I've took on more than I can handle. Trying to keep Oscar feeling brave and not terrified is hard enough, and now he is cowering every time he sees her. We put her in her crate and she began digging through the bed and onto the hard plastic, which caused her to start falling over (she's on 3 legs right now). I'm terrified she'll hurt herself. We now have her downstairs on the couch with my BF and Oscar and I in our bedroom upstairs.

The amount of agressive behavior she has shown worries me. The humane society did mention they hadn't done all the tests with her so see about that behavior but the tests they did do came up with nothing. She didn't seem agressive towards him at the humane society, but they didn't really play a ton. He's been a good boy tonight trying to keep out of her way and even let her take his pillow but I can tell he feels very off.

I just don't know what to do. We can leave the house because we're terrified she'll hurt herself badly in the crate. We can't give her anymore pain medication. I feel like we aren't what she needs, no matter how badly we want to help her. The humane society mentioned that a lot of people called about her, but I still just feel sick at the though of returning her. Not that it is a bad place, our HS is a beautiful well kept facility with wonderful staff and resources.

You all have been wonderful with your advice and support. Any more would be great! Thank you!

 

[jassy]

I don't have any advice to offer as I have never been through this, but I am sorry you are having such a tough time. Maybe it will get easier if you can get through the first day or two.

 

[fuchsh]

Don't give up yet! All dogs need some time to adjust when a new dog comes into the "pack". Monty was also rather aggressive when Spencer moved in, and the labrador from a friend of mine attacked her new puppy several times in the beginning (or at least tried to), but now they are the best of friends. Spencer has quite a few patches of hair missing on his face because he and Monty faught so much in the beginning, but now they're practically inseperable. I think dogs (both the old and the new comers) just have to get used to sharing their home, their people, and their stuff with another dog, and they need to figure out who's boss. I also found that Monty seemed a little "off" in the beginning, but after not more than a week he was back to his old self.

Your situation is probably much harder because the new dog is in pain and feeling very vulnerable. It probably wasn't the best idea to take her directly after the surgery, but rather let her heal a bit where she was, but that probably wasn't possible.

Just have patience and know that the chances are good that your dogs will get through this and get along eventually. Of course it is possible that they really don't like each other, but it is really way to early to know that. Try to show the dogs that good things happen when the other dog is around, for example giving them treats when the other is around etc.

And don't worry, it's normal to feel a little overwhealmed in the beginning when adding a second dog to the family, especially when that dog has health issues. But in no time you will be feeling confident about your decision and forget that the beginning was so rocky.

 

[Ashley Hellen]

I am sorry to hear this, its very upsetting

We introduced a new puppy Gwenni (now 18 weeks) to Caleb and Foxy and I was worried. Foxy can be funny with dogs she does'nt know and was actually very good with the first introduction, puppy sitting on my knee. She just sniffed her and was wary. Caleb was terrified of puppy but took about three weeks to come about and kept out of her way. Foxy polices the puppy and is the boss but has accepted her.But we do watch them carefully. They are a pack now and go around together.

The best thing we did was buy a puppy pen and kept puppy in there a lot of the time, it is only now pup is 18 weeks that she mixes with the other two alot more. And she still spends periods in the pen when the play fighting gets a bit much.

Just perserve, can you seperate them for now and let them adjust to each other. Its the only thing that worked for us, it does take your other dogs time to get used to a newcomer. have you a dog trainer you can ask advice from??

 

[Mom of 2 Beagles]

Hang in there, I'm sure things will get better. In the mean time call your vet and the Humane Society and get as much advise as you can.

Give them time.

 

[Murphys Dad]

OM,
Patience. Right now she feels vulnerable. She is an pain from surgery. Leave her in the crate a while, she will settle down. Just be sure to comfort Oscar as well. I'm sure he is unsure of the situation as well.

 

[Gingergoose]

Don't give up yet. Try to see it through her eyes at the moment.

Your new girl had a huge surgery: she is in pain and without one of her legs.

She is in a new, unfamiliar place: new people and another dog.

That is a huge double whammy that her as well as you all are going through. More than the usual first-few-days adoption jitters.

Give her some time, keep your voices normal and controlled, let her see Oscar from a distance...even though you are scared and sleep deprived.

As for poor Oscar, lots of love and reassurance.

Maybe putting the crate in a quiet room with a light sheet thrown over it will make her feel a bit safer and allow her to settle down as well. She no doubt needs rest, too.

FYI: My beagle mix, Jake, also had a back leg amputated during his fight with cancer. He was without it for a year and he recovered and adjusted very quickly from it. Dogs, unlike humans, don't cry or concern themselves with altered body image...they just shake themselves off and put it behind them. So, if you have questions about that, let me know. But the lost leg will be quickly forgotten.

 

[BookerMoose]

I'm sorry that things are not going well with you so far - I can understand the feeling you may have bitten off more than you can chew but I wouldn't give up yet since your situation is so much harder than usual given that Olive is just recovering from surgery on top of all of the normal issues that surround introducing a new dog.

I definitely had more than a few moments after we adopted both our second and third rescues when I wondered if we had made a huge mistake - we didn't have any significant aggression issues but we definitely had others. With Moosie the first couple of nights he wouldn't sleep and kept pacing around and obsessively licking a sore on his paw until it bled and oozed. With Popcorn she was SOOOO terrified that even the shortest walk was a nightmare and it would take her at least an hour outside at night literally dragging her along before she would calm down enough to pee... there were many moments during the first few weeks when we were outside in the pouring rain with one freaked out beagle and two other soaking wet and miserable beagles wondering what on earth we had done.

I also know that after her major surgeries Booker is VERY touchy and will warn off the others whenever they come anywhere in her vicinity. Her personality and attitude to the others is definitely different and more aggressive when she is in pain - so I wouldn't give up yet and decide that Olive has aggression issues. Add to that the fact that Olive doesn't really know Oscar yet and I can just imagine what is going through her mind...

Is it possible for one of you to spend a bit more time alone with Oscar over the next few days - and the other alone with Olive - to give them each some space (and time to heal and feel more comfortable in her new surroundings in Olive's case)? I'm thinking Olive probably isn't too mobile but perhaps one of you could take Oscar out for some fun excursions away from the house to reassure him he is still loved and that the snarling beast at home doesn't have to change that.

 

[Murphys Dad]

How are things going this evening?

 

[tpetzold]

John pulled an all nighter on the couch with Oliver last night. This morning continued to go bad. I walked down the stairs with Oscar, keeping him on a lead so that he wouldn't bother her. As soon as he stepped foot into the living room, a good 10 feet away from her) she lunged at him. Then bit John when I tried to pull her away. Thankfully it didn't break the skin. I don't think she wanted to bite him, his arm just got in the way of her anger.

So we called the humane society and talked about the issue. We decided for her saftey and Oscar's it would be best if she went back. She couldn't go in the great because of how frantic she is, and we can't confine her in the kitchen because she falls on the wood floors.

I feel like the worst dog owner ever. It just wasn't fair for Oscar or Olive (or myself and John!) to have to live seperated and in fear. Olive needs a home where she can be the only girl, and have a family that doesn't leave much.

Oscar is feeling better at least. Ever time she would lunge at him he'd cower and wet himself a bit. But today he's friendly and playful again. We still really want to have a beagle buddy for Oscar, but I think we might have to look harder for a better match.

 

[Paula]

Sorry to hear it didn't work out with Olive.

 

[RhodaTse]

Oh dear, sorry to hear that. Did you check with the vet to see if they can do something about her agression. Perhaps some medication to calm her down. Didn't a mom posted about a kind of "rescue something" in a bottle, a few drops will calm her down.

 

[BookerMoose]

I'm sorry - but please don't beat yourself up about it... if it isn't right it isn't right and only you guys can really assess the situation. I was trying to be positive for your sake but we did have a bad experience before we found Popcorn with a rescue beagle that clearly had issues beyond what we were equipped to deal with and we decided it was just not fair to Booker and Moose to introduce an unstable dog into our relatively calm household. It sounds like Olive will have other options and as you say, maybe an only dog household will be best for her...

Give Oscar an extra hug from our hounds tonight...

 

[Gingergoose]

I'm sorry it happened the way it did.

Bless you for trying, though.

You mentioned that they had some other calls for her. Hopefully one of them will be perfect for her.

 

[Pegasus]

im late joining the post...been working too much lately.

So, did you guys decide to take her back?
It looks like you did but have you done it yet?

If not, can I add some bit of hope? We got Snoopy from a shelter and he had, and still has major anxiety and fear. Fear is a precursor to aggression (I know b/c I have read all the books on 'shy dogs' 'fearful dogs', ect) All say that aggression is mostly from fear.

Given that she just had surgery I imagine she feels very vulnerable right now, and that totally makes sense.

If you havent taken her back yet, I do encourage you to hang in there, give it a few weeks, as draining as it may be, it will be worth it in the end hopfully.

If you did take her back, then Im sorry and dont feel bad, you tried your best.

Good luck
manda and snoopy

 

[Ashley Hellen]

Oscars Mum, what sad news, I'll echo the fact that you tried everything you could do with Olive.

If you could have crated her without her kicking of it might have helped but some dogs panick when crated, maaybe she'd had a bad experience about being in a crate (did you have any history on her)

It is very hard introducing a new dog to your existing ones, sometimes I guess the gamble works and other times its too much a price to pay. Its not your fault that she had a lot of baaggage and it impacted strongely on her being in your family. Poor baby, maybe she would be better off being an only dog, the centre of attention.

You have to think of Oscar too, young boy beagles can be very sensitive and find change difficult and esp getting used to a new dog, a bitch will always be the boss. Your dog will have let her have the lead (unless he's particularly bossy) Caleb gets bossed about by Foxy and Gwenni and I have to seperate them all at times as Caleb likes his space to snooze aand dream.

Perhaps another boy dog may be better for Oscar.

I hope that the shelter manages to find another home for olive, you said others will be interested in her, I think the shelter perhaps did'nt match her properly to you, a sick beagle can be very touchy and wants to be left alone


They say one door shuts and another will open. Oscar will have his perfect playmate one day, you dont want a pack that is tense and has major issues, they all have to be friends.

You tried and tried, thats all you could do, thats 100 per cent more than some would do, I am sure things will work out in the end for you and for Olive.

These are'nt a breed for everyone and you sound like a wonderful caring beagle mummy for the right one. It has to be a happy time for all.

 

[willowbeagle]

Its sad that its come to this situation but at least you tried, please dont beat yourself up about it. The reason you came to the decision was because you care! You put a lot of effort into the situation and tried

<<<<<< HUG >>>>>>>

Sadly it doesnt always work out. No shelter can guarantee the dog will be suitably matched because we dont always know the complete history of some of the beagles that come into welfare. A small minority of previous owners sadly dont tell the truth cos all they are interested in is getting the dog out of their home. Thats the stark reality in welfare.

We decided to have another beagle. Milly was being rehomed because of a new baby arriving. I did the interview with the owners! We thought we were perfect for Milly and she was perfect for us as she'd lived with a family of beagles before etc. We fostered her for a while before signing the forms.

To cut a long story short we had Milly for about 2 weeks and then out of the blue she took a dislike to Willow. She attacked her at every available opportunity and caused Willow some serious bites,cuts and bruises. We had to crate Milly every time we went out. We gradually tried to introduce her to our other two but ss soon as she was out of the crate...she went for Willow. She never touched Katie.

The final straw came when we came out of the lounge to find Willow outside sitting in the rain (Willow hates the rain)and didnt dare come into the house. Milly was sitting by the back door growling at her. When i went to get Willow she was trembling with fear and she had blood pouring from her ear. My lovely even tempered dog had suddenly turned into a frightened little wreck. The decision was easy for us, Milly had to go back into welfare and find a home where she was the only dog. Because I work in welfare I contacted the previous owners and asked if they'd had problems before and, with some encouragement they said Yes! She had consistently attacked two of the beagles in the home. I was livid that they lied and even more so that it was my own dog that had to take the brunt of their lies. The owner quite simply hadnt told the truth!

Please dont think youre not a fabulous beagle mummy, like Hellen says, you put 100% into trying which is much more than some would do. You will feel guilty for a while, I know I did but looking at Willows scars I know I did it for her.

Kind regards
Angela

 

[Murphys Dad]

I'm sorry to hear this. No blame though. Olive has some issues that could get someone hurt. Hopefully she will get some training and get re-adopted.

As for getting another beagle, don't be afraid to try again.

 

[Mom of 2 Beagles]

So sorry it didn't work out. But you tried your best. And you have to think of your household and your current Beagle Oscar. Do try to keep up with her and let us know when she finds another home and all the details.

Don't feel bad. You will find a good friend for Oscar when the time is right!!

 

[Murphys Dad]

You had to think of Oscar, and his well-being. Having the dog who's already in the family become threatened certainly isn't acceptable. Hopefully, once Olive recovers a little, she'll find the home that's right for her.