[Lara's mom]

Well, as some of you know, I moved on the 15th of this month. Since then, I have been working from morning to night to get this place unpacked and puppy-proofed for my new male tri colour rough coated Jack /Russell puppy who is coming home tomorrow!!!

He is the best Christmas gift that I could hope for. I wasn't looking forward to the holidays this year. It will be the first year that I won't be spending the holidays with my mom. She died in June. However, I'll have my girls and my new baby boy as well as two guests that had nowhere to go for Christmas dinner so, I invited them. All in all it will be the best Christmas that I could hope for under the circumstances.

I want to wish all of you the very best of the holiday season.

[gracieownsme]

Congratulations on your new baby, what a wonderful Christmas present! It sounds like you're gearing up for a splendid holiday... enjoy, and be blessed!

[DoggieVogue]

Congratulations on your new addition! How exciting!

[Lara's mom]

Actually, it has been a complete disaster. Both of my girls hate him. I'm very afraid that my border collie is going to injure him or worse. I haven't been able to have them in the same room.

My female jack russell is very timid and she won't fight back when he bites and otherwise harasses her. She just cries and shakes and tries desperately to jump up into my lap. This is the 6th day with absolutely no improvement.

I made a very bad error in judgement. Lara got along so well with Bailey when she came into the house that I thought another dog would fit in just the same. Big mistake.

I think Bailey is just too old to accept any changes in the make-up of the household and Lara is unsuited to be with a puppy who is as "alpha" as Lance.

I've thought long and hard about it and have come to the sad decision that Lance will be returning to his breeder tomorrow. What is happening here is unfair to my girls and it is dangerous for Lance. I cannot keep them separated constantly.

I won't get another puppy as long as Bailey is with me. On her own, Lara would adjust to a quieter more submissive kind of puppy. Unfortunately, Lance is just the wrong fit for this family. As much as it hurts, it's the best thing for everybody.

[cigwyllt]

I am so sorry to read that. You know your dogs better than anyone and you know what they can and can not adjust to. I'm so sorry for you that you will be returning Lance but understand that you are doing what is best for the others. As a young pup he will not be hard to rehome.

[Lara's mom]

It really breaks my heart to let him go. However, I can't allow my girls to be so unhappy. It isn't good for him either. I'm sure I'll shed a lot of tears when he leaves.

[CorkyMax]

Originally Posted by Lara's mom

It really breaks my heart to let him go. However, I can't allow my girls to be so unhappy. It isn't good for him either. I'm sure I'll shed a lot of tears when he leaves.

Sorry to hear of the dogs not getting along. I was going to suggest this a couple times here but thought against it but since this last post you did I decided to give it a try. I know you don't like crates and I don't either but wondering if you could start the pup in one for a short period until the dogs could all get more use to one another. I had to use one when I 1st got Max because I was at work all day and Corky would not leave Max alone--not fighting--just constantly overpowering him so to speak. I set it up so Max could 'escape' from Corky--Corky wasn't able to get in as I situated the crate with just enough room for Max to get in and out. Wondering if keeping all 3 dogs in same room with Lance in the crate and no one 'getting hurt or upset'--in time would all adjust and gradually have them together with Lance out of crate---Do something to make it a 'good thing'--Like it be the only time they get treats until they adjust, etc.--associate Lance being out of crate with treats, walks, etc. As I keep saying I am not a trainer, etc---just trying to help. Hey! trainers--pros. You must have some suggestions you could give Lara's Mom---Like to see them be a happy family!!

[Lara's mom]

I had a long talk with the breeder today. Bailey is most of the problem because she is very protective of Lara. I got both a grate and a baby gate so I can separate them when things get "dicey."

I'm going to keep him and see what happens in a week or so when Bailey goes to her step-mom and it is just Lara and Lance. Perhaps, if Lara stops taking crap from the puppy, Bailey won't feel the need to menace the puppy in order to protect Lara. If that doesn't work, he will have to go back but, it's worth a try.

I'd love to hear any suggestions as to how I might make this work. I already love the little guy...

[cigwyllt]

I'm so glad you've got the time/space to try a bit longer. Not that anyone would blame you if you found it didn't work, just putting myself in your position and wanting you to be able to keep the puppy.

That's a good idea to reward them when the puppy is out and about. A bit like bringing a new baby home and teaching the dogs that he/she is a good thing.

Maybe if Bailey isn't around Lara will stand up for herself a little more and put Lance in his place. I've never really had a dog that was reluctant to play with others but it must be hard for you to see her so afraid and coming to you for protection. But what happens if you refuse to let her up on the couch? Is there an outdoor area where they can play together or where he can play and she can watch from a safe distance?

As a bitch it would be unusual for her not to assert herself at some point and perhaps when she does Bailey will be able to step back just ignore Lance.

My oldest dog has no interest in my JR at all. She is very much people centred rather than interested in other dogs. She gets very agitated when the little ones play - we think she is like a maiden aunt telling the children off "Someone is going to get hurt! Settle down!" but she has had to learn to let them be. She can come to us for reassurance or she can take herself off to her basket and sulk but she can't interfere in their games.

[Lara's mom]

Wow! You're telling me just what my breeder said! I live in my new apartment on the 22nd floor and Lance hasn't had all of his vaccines yet so, he is housebound. We had an outbreak of leptospirosis in the building. One lovely dog died so, I am wiping the girls feet every time they go out and not letting any of my friends dogs into my home until Lance has had all of his vaccines. He's only 9 weeks old.

I bought a baby gate and I confine him in the kitchen for a bit if he starts bugging and "won't take no for an answer."

[gracieownsme]

Keeping my fingers crossed ...... hope it works out!

[CorkyMax]

Glad to hear that you're going to have another go at it. How long will Baliey be gone---Sounds like this will be a very good thing and to try and get Lara to see the puppy in a new light! She may just miss Bailey enough to get acquainted with Lance too! Hope it all works out--may just take a little more time and patience!

[Lara's mom]

Bailey usually spends two weeks with her step-mom but, in order to give this a really good try, I am going to ask her to keep her for an extra week.

[cigwyllt]

I guess dogs are pretty much the same the world over! My Wild Welsh Mutt has the patience of a saint when my daughter wants her to be a pillow on the sofa but has no time for silly doggy antics if they disturb her peace and quiet! I'll keep my fingers and toes crossed that it will work out. So glad you have an extra couple of weeks - that will take the pressure off you and then if progress is really slow you will still be able to see it. Won't do Lance any harm to watch and learn from the other two. After all if he was still with his mum and littermates they would blank him if he went too far.

[Lara's mom]

Thanks! I really hope this works.

[superfly jacks]

I know that Lara will put her brother in his place once she is givin a chance to do so.
When Bailey is not there and Lara not able to come to you for protection she will deal with Lance correctly.
I will get that phone call from you and you will be shocked as to how Lara will react to Lance.

Like I said I called Lara (Whatever Lola) for a reason and believe me that will come out of her and Lance had better run.

If no dogs stand up to Lance he will run all over them any puppy would if not put in his place or her place.

[Lara's mom]

I am doing my best to "tough it out." I wish I wasn't such a wuss!!!

[wolflover6267]

Originally Posted by Lara's mom

I am doing my best to "tough it out." I wish I wasn't such a wuss!!!

Hope everything is going great with you, the girls and Lance. I tried this tactic with two previous dogs that I had. One was a Collie/Shep mix (Heidi) and one was a Peekapoo(Princess). They were constantly growling at each other and the little one would always start it. I put a gate in between our diningroom and livingroom and kept them seperated. It took about two weeks, but one date we came into the room and Heidi had jumped over the gate and her and Princess were laying side by side in front of the T.V. and they were best buds till the day I had to put Heidi to rest. Princess walked around for weeks crying and looking for her friend. Give it time and patience they will come around.

[Lara's mom]

Things are definitely looking up although Bailey still has her nose severely out of joint. The two Jacks are getting along just fine now. Even the cat has accepted Lance. Bailey is the sole holdout but, hopefully she will come around eventually. She is growling at the puppy a little less so, that is a good sign.

[gracieownsme]

So glad it's working out!