lightacandle
New member
I have 3 dogs. My chihuahua (W) and pit mix (C) have been together forever and are best friends. W will stand on the couch while C stands on the floor and they will play this way. Recently we got custody of my partner’s grandmother’s dog. It was supposed to be on a temporary basis. But that was 3 months ago and it looks like she’s here to stay. She is a yorkie (L). She has terrible anxiety (worse than W). Constantly licking everything. And if she can’t lick us she starts licking W.
The problem is that C is very vocal when she is playing (growling). This, I guess, causes L to be greatly distressed and she starts to act aggressively towards C (barking, growling, nipping). At base line L doesn’t much care for C. If C comes over to the couch while L is sitting in my lap, L will growl at C if she gets to close. L is not like this with W. W and L play all the time. My guess is that C’s size is intimidating.
L is incredibly submissive. Walks away from her food bowl if either of the other dogs or even the cat walk near her.
I know it can take time for a dog to adjust. But we’ve had her since late August.
I’m not sure how to handle the aggressive behavior toward C.
If it’s late, I make C stop playing because we have neighbors. But now C is getting the zoomies because I can’t play with her. And C is very loud during the zoomies so L is acting out then too.
I’ll probably end up medicating L. But is there anything else I can do to desensitize her to C?
The problem is that C is very vocal when she is playing (growling). This, I guess, causes L to be greatly distressed and she starts to act aggressively towards C (barking, growling, nipping). At base line L doesn’t much care for C. If C comes over to the couch while L is sitting in my lap, L will growl at C if she gets to close. L is not like this with W. W and L play all the time. My guess is that C’s size is intimidating.
L is incredibly submissive. Walks away from her food bowl if either of the other dogs or even the cat walk near her.
I know it can take time for a dog to adjust. But we’ve had her since late August.
I’m not sure how to handle the aggressive behavior toward C.
If it’s late, I make C stop playing because we have neighbors. But now C is getting the zoomies because I can’t play with her. And C is very loud during the zoomies so L is acting out then too.
I’ll probably end up medicating L. But is there anything else I can do to desensitize her to C?