Claire Owen Posted July 18, 2006 Report Share Posted July 18, 2006 Hi all, I havent been here in a while. But I need some advice. My boss has asked me to dog sit for her this afternoon (I will take pictures of Ruby - the dog), I did the other day. But the problem is Bailey got so excited, the dog I'm looking after is tiny and Bailey would hurt her if we let him sniff and lick and chase and jump on - as he wanted to. We kept them seperated by a stairgate last time. Until Bailey jumped the stairgate. I was amazed Bailey has never jumped anything! Thats how much he wanted to get to this other dog! Any ideas how I can teach him to be calm around Ruby, she scares easy and a fully grown border colie charging at her would terrify her. I know he's only excited and wants to play but she's too small. Help! Its too hot to keep either one outside, and I dont want to have to shut Bailey out of the living room, its not fair on him! Any suggestions? Claire Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keegan's Mom Posted July 18, 2006 Report Share Posted July 18, 2006 I would guess that until you have more time that the only way to keep them separated and teach him to calm down is to shut him in the living room for now. It won't kill him and he will learn to have patience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kajarrel Posted July 18, 2006 Report Share Posted July 18, 2006 I agree with Rachel - I don't think it's particularly "unfair" to keep Bailey separated from Ruby for this short period of time (a day). And if you really are concerned, put Bailey in the livingroom. However, I would EXPECT him to "lie down" and stay and I would definately not allow him to jump the gate (best time to correct is before he jumps -- when he's thinking about jumping). Think about it -- learning this may save HIS (Bailey's) life some day. You could also try teaching a "gentle" command. I assume you have some way of telling him that he's doing something wrong - when he gets too rough, give this command and tell him "gentle" (gentle is associated with stopping the rough behavior). Stay calm yourself so that you don't inadvertantly excite your dog. Choose a time to do this when he's already fairly calm (e.g., after exercise, later in the day, etc.). Of course, this may not be possible (now) if your dog doesn't already know how to settle down. Kim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2 Devils Posted July 18, 2006 Report Share Posted July 18, 2006 I agree it probably best to keep them separate but you can attempt to make the intro with Bailey on leash so you can control the situation and the little one get away if needed. Bailey needs to learn to settle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flrpwr52 Posted July 18, 2006 Report Share Posted July 18, 2006 My neighbors have a very small puppy that weighed only 2 pounds when we met her, it's a tea cup something mix. When I took Zoe and Ari to meet her for the first time I had them on leashes, made them sit and the puppy was able to smell them without getting hurt. Then I held the puppy, made them sit and let them smell the puppy. We put the puppy down, with Zoe and Ari still on leashes and let them explore each other. This all took about 5 minutes and they have been playing fine since. No injuries and they all play ball and frisbee together. The puppy now weighs in at a whopping 2 1/2 pounds and does well with letting my girls know when she has had enough. The puppy likes to lay on the frisbee and neither of my girls will grab it out from under her, they wait for her to move before they take it. They know she is small and they are gentle with her. Good luck, you don't want your bosses dog to get hurt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Claire Owen Posted July 18, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 18, 2006 Ok she's here now and we're making progress. I would have corrected Bailey for jumping had I seen it coming, he jumped from sitting, no run up, no warning nothing! I have them in the same room, it started off with Bailey in his crate, until ruby had finished sniffing him, then I put him on a leash so he could sniff ruby. All was fine until Ruby decided she felt safe with Bailey and started jumping at his face. BTW this dog has NOOOOO training or discipline. I've had her twice and taught her down, paw and stay just for my convenience, but that goes out the window when Bailey is around. Bailey has a 'nicely' command, which was working but his idea of being nice is giving his paw to whatever it is he wants... ie thud on top of Ruby... bless her. She's so submissive which doesnt help. Bailey just cant control himself when he's got doggy butt in his face Overall its going ok, I can control bailey but not Ruby which is causing todays problems. Grrrr, why do people get dogs and then not train them!!! I'll post a couple of pictures of her in the gallery, she is soooo cute! Thanks for the advice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Claire Owen Posted July 18, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 18, 2006 I think we've made it!!! At the min they're lying in the middle of the floor, panting not irritating each other Jerky is a wonderful thing, hee hee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keegan's Mom Posted July 18, 2006 Report Share Posted July 18, 2006 Ah, looks like they made nice then. The trick is...and I'm still learning especially in herding...to catch them when they are thinking about it...like Kim said just after my first post. I bet if you watch closely, even jumping from a sitting position, you could tell that he would jump. However, this takes practice. Good luck with your sitting today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Claire Owen Posted July 18, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 18, 2006 Thankfully that was the first and only time he's jumped... hopefully the last too. Otherwise I will learn what he looks like when he's thinking about jumping, to stop him. thanks for the advice. I think Bailey thought she was a cat. He kept sniffing her but he had that 'Ibest be ready to run coz I'm gonna get hurt' look on his face. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tammy525 Posted July 18, 2006 Report Share Posted July 18, 2006 They are a way cute couple, Claire. Glad they are doing better, we will be in the same boat very soon as we are taking a small pup and Scout is a little bigger than Bailey, looks like. So, I am watching how things go for you!! Your boss is lucky to have you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Claire Owen Posted July 24, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 24, 2006 Just thought I'd let you all know that I've figured out why Bailey turned into an escape artist that day. I've just been told Ruby came into season a couple of days later. No wonder he was so desperate to sniff her!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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