Question:
I just added a second dog to my family. (They are both Akitas.) The new dog is an unaltered boy. I just got him and am giving it a test run to see how they get along before we decide to keep him. I will be having him neutered if I keep him.
So far things have gone well. He is from a breeder in the country and doesn't know how to play. He sees my girl play with toys and with me and seems interested but has yet to join in. For the most part he is just inexperienced. But I am concerned about on thing. He is chewing off her fur!
It started the first time we took her with us and went and met him. He tried to mount her and was nipping at her. I didn't worry about it as I when we got him home and he figured out they would be buddies that would stop.
But it hasn't. He doesn't try to mount her but she will be sitting and he will come up and use the side of his mouth, (Do dog's have molars?) ;] and bite on her. He is biting the hair right off. She is literally the world sweetest dog and just sits there. I tried to let it go as I was told they would figure it out. (basically she would get PO'ed and snap at him, but she won't.) She is starting to look like she has mange and her beautiful coat looks like it has been groomed by a 4 year old with siccors.
Any tips on why or how to stop it would be appreciated.
PS. I have had him a few days now, and it has decreased but he still is doing it.
Answer:
Wow, well for now I will focus only on the chewing behaviour (I have a lot of questions but for once I will leave them alone...everyone else will ask them I'm sure...if not I will).
My dogs do this to each other constantly, but without the hair loss.
When you are not watching/supervising them, they should be in their individual crates. When you are there to supervise them, tell him no. Distract him with a proper chew toy.
Answer:
I have began telling him "no" when he does it now. (I picked him up thurs and began the "no" on Saturday.) And he stops immediately. He has no interest in toys right now. Just sniffs them and walks away.
When left alone he is crated, currently she is not. I did keep them both crated at first, but she hasn't been crated in a few years and he doesn't seem to be having any issues with her not being crated when I am gone.
I appreciate the advise.
Answer:
My dogs also are not very interested in toys. Squeeky toys last a day, 2 days tops, and then they are gutted. Other toys are only fun when they are wrestling and playing tug of war or chase with each others. Kong toys are fun to chase, but then they just sit there and dont fight back ("but dad, I htought you were letting us chase a squirrel or something...this thing is dead and doesn't taste good at all.").
To keep him (actually THEM) busy get a Kong toy or html/types_of_dog_toys.htm (the chuckle, twist and treat)...ask luba-puppy love- about the strength of these toys, how well they stand up to hard chewers etc.
You put some treats inside them and they will be kept busy for a while. A good outside treat I like is to fill my kong toys (I have one like the chuckle...but mine cost more...I know where I am buying the next ones though) with peanut butter and freeze it overnight. This will keep them busy for an hour or more.
Answer:
If you go to the Kong Toy web site, there is a printable pg with recipies for stuffin'.
guest - you aren't thinking of letting them both loose in the house I hope. That IMO would be a huge mistake.
Answer:
I think it's just a matter of never leaving them unattended together and teaching him how to play. You need to spend time with him one on one and just play. I fostered a dog that didn't have a single clue how to play. After some time and a little TLC he did great playing with himself and other dogs.
Though I will admit I got a good chuckle from your post. *blushes*
Answer:
I do not leave them alone together. Although I plan on working towards that goal. The biting of the hair happens when I am home and occurs randomly. I'll walk to the kitchen or my room and come back and he'll be chewing on her. As I said he isn't hurting her, so she just sits there. I tell him "no" and he stops.
As far a the playing goes, I'm not to worried about that. I know he will start to get that. He already has shown a little more interest. They get along fine. No squabbles, barred teeth, growling, etc in 5+ days. I guess I'm just confused as to why he is chewing on her. As far as I can tell it is not play related. Is it due to the lack of alteration, home sickness (although that seems a strange outlet to me), general anxiety from the changes or something else.
Thanks everyone for the input.