Going backwards with Toffee and Ripple

[SteffiS]

I'm disappointed that I haven't got anywhere with getting Toffee and Ripple together, in fact it's becoming more and more difficult to get any good interaction between them. At the same time Ripple seems to have gone backwards and has started jumping at me and mouthing again.

The tuggy game only lasted a couple of times and now Ripple drops the tug as soon as Toffee gets hold of the other end. 'Scatter' was a bit of a disaster with Ripple barging Toffee out of the way to eat everything.
Toffee only seems interested in biting Ripple, then Ripple tries to jump on him and yesterday, within a few seconds, Ripple was growling. Whilst I have been typing this Toffee has been zooming round the room, Ripple is on the other side of the baby gate and when ever Toffee tries to interact with him through the gate Ripple is standing holding his tail up and quite stiff with his hackles up.
We haven't been able to get them to spend any time relaxing together like they did in the first week either.

I have continued to do some training with them together and also sitting calmly together but as soon as I stop rewarding them it all kicks off again.
They do lay either side of gate with Toffee looking longingly at Ripple and Ripple studiously ignoring him.

I appreciate it will take time, especially with Ripple being so hyper, but any advice would be welcome.

 

[kateincornwall]

Sorry to read this , but not to dismiss it in any way, it is still early days . When we first had Nelly , she would sometimes run at Sam , even when he was resting , and bark at him . I`m afraid that contra to all the positive training ethos , I did give her a firm NO . Similarly , she used to try and get onto the sofa which was his domain , a firm plonking her down and a NO . Even though she is very hard of hearing , she got the gist and soon realised that her behaviour was not acceptable and it did take a few weeks until they became firm friends. Just checking Toffees age , I don't think he is out and about yet ? I think that when he is able to go for walks , then walking together will help an awful lot .
When we first had Sam as a puppy, our little resident girl Lily was quite disgusted by his very presence , but one the joint walks began , it all changed for the better , sorry I cant be of more help x

 

[snowbunny]

I'd just keep them apart, not even letting them interact unsupervised through the baby gate. Fences don't lead to nice greetings. As you say, it's very early days. If you remember, I had to keep Luna away from W&S for a long time; all interactions they had were either outside, where they ignored each other, or very much supervised, with me sitting on the floor between them and petting them both at the same time. Luna didn't climb on the older dog, or interact with it in any way. They both just got nice tummy rubs while they were in the same space together.

 

[Jacqui-S]

Sky and Red had a really tough time too.
No help from me I'm afraid.
Just want to send my virtual support.

 

[SteffiS]

This was 5 days ago - it all looked pretty innocent to me:

 

[SteffiS]

We would not have been surprised if Ripple had been like this from the start, and we were prepared for it, apart from the return to mouthing. But as it seemed to start so well and has then deteriorated its been a bit of a shock.

 

[SteffiS]

I'd just keep them apart, not even letting them interact unsupervised through the baby gate. Fences don't lead to nice greetings. As you say, it's very early days. If you remember, I had to keep Luna away from W&S for a long time; all interactions they had were either outside, where they ignored each other, or very much supervised, with me sitting on the floor between them and petting them both at the same time. Luna didn't climb on the older dog, or interact with it in any way. They both just got nice tummy rubs while they were in the same space together.

So do you think its a good idea to continue with the very short bits of training I do with them together? Providing I don't allow any interaction at the end of the session.

 

[Beanwood]

Personally, I wouldn't at this point, be training them together at all, even for short periods. I was able at around 4 months to do gentle bits with Casper and Bramble, but Casper adored and fussed over her right from the get-go.

 

[SteffiS]

Personally, I wouldn't at this point, be training them together at all, even for short periods.

Ok, it was just a couple of minutes of sit, down, touch etc - I thought Toffee would learn from Ripple, but I'll stop that as well then.

 

[SwampDonkey]

I didn't dare train Rory with Moo I didn't want him contaminated. They all went out to social stuff together like wee or just do garden stuff.dont be disheartened it's early days yet. Xxx

 

[SteffiS]

Ripple won't even wee anywhere near where Toffee has weed now.

 

[Boogie]

Ripple won't even wee anywhere near where Toffee has weed now.

Tatze has been good with my pups but we do get this. She decides she won’t wee in their area so I take her to the other side of the house. These phases only last a week or two (she’s having one at the moment)

I hope they soon get used to each other, it can’t be easy xx

.

 

[Emily_Babbelhund]

The barking competition is pretty adorable, even if I understand why you wouldn't want to hear it all the time. It does sound difficult for you all right now, but it seems like others have had anti-social periods at the beginning and then have ended up best buddies. Hopefully Ripple and Toffee will follow suit.

 

[Atemas]

Sky and Red had a really tough time too.

Just read your post @SteffiS. You may remember last year my posts on the other site about Sky and Red. It took a long time to get them together and I really thought I had made a huge mistake getting Red. We kept them apart. We had a baby gate at the kitchen doorway and fortunately we have a lot of space so both dogs could live independently of each other. The times we tried to get them together were disastrous. Red was just being a crocopup and wanting to jump all over Sky and Sky just didn’t;t want to know - very upsetting. We gradually got them together but Red was nearly 6 months before they were properly together. It was very very hard. Having said that, I am really glad we did what we did. They aren’t what you call great mates but they have a very special relationship where they mutually respect each other. I find their interactions quite touching at times as they have a way of communicating, showing they do like and care for each other. I think Red has learnt a lot from Sky and they both seem secure in the family unit.

I would say keep them apart and carefully manage their interactions. I used mats and kongs, Red on her little lead to keep her off Sky; Ruffle Snuffle Mat, ‘find it’ game as my little reportaire for the evenings initially - the rest of the day they were in different parts of the house.

 

[Aitch]

I even had to wait for Alex to accept Amber following him everywhere. It takes time but it will come.

 

[SteffiS]

That's what I love about the forum, someone always has experienced the problems you're facing .

@Boogie I honestly thought it was just Ripple!
@Atemas I remember your thread, I will go back and read it.

I'm much clearer how I'm going to manage things now. We've already kept Ripple's routine virtually the same so it shouldn't be too difficult cut out his interactions with Toffee

Thank you for all the help.

 

[SwampDonkey]

Ripple won't even wee anywhere near where Toffee has weed now.

Moo didn't eat or leave the sofa for 3 days when we got Rory.
She changed when she realised he was a innocent ripe for corruption

 

[Candy]

Oh, Moo the Mighty! I reckon she still reigns!xx