Pug stress out other pets --- HELP! I don't want to give her away!

[timmysf]

We have a 6 year old male chihuahua/miniature pincher mix who has been with us his entire life. We recently adopted a rescued pug female about 10-12 months old (very long story about how it came about). We've had her spayed and have been training her. She is responding to training only when she wants to but we can work with that - not an issue. Our problem is her being so full of energy and always wanting to play with the other dog. At first he was ok with it, but in the last couple of weeks we can tell that he is getting over it and wants his private time. He is stressed out and I'm concerned about him.

We have discussed the possibility of giving her up but really don't want to do it. Suggestions?

[Tinker's mom]

Hello & to the village! I would make sure he has quiet time several times a day. Try to make them the same time every day so he get to know he wil have relief.Walking her will expend some of her energy, you may need to do that 2-3 times a day. Obedience training will help as well for her.Thanks for adopting her and hang in there, she's still got puppy energy.

[Pat's Crew]

welcome to the village..
sounds like a good investment would be an xpen
so she can take a breather and your other dog can too

I had a few pups with older dogs and usually they put off a signal sooner or later that enough is enough for now and the other dog gets it fine. older dogs take only such much puppy in the face behaviour. seen it more then once.........here

the xpen gives them room to move around and also some time to just settle for a bit too

[timmysf]

Jackie, thank you so much for responding with a great suggestion! We tried it and it seemed to work. Before going to the movies, I put the older dog in my bedroom where he sleeps and put the pug in the living room with a gate between them. I think he really enjoyed his personal time on the bed. We'll definitely do this more often!! Thanks for the suggestion.

Tim

[timmysf]

Hi Pat,
Thanks for the suggestion of the xpen. We've come up with a better plan. Putting a gate up to separate them frequently so the older dog doesn't get so stressed. We'll have to get them used to it, but I'm hoping it will work. Thanks for responding to my query!

Tim

[Rugbysmom]

Hi & We have a 9 yr old Pug & a 7 yr old Lab--have had both since they were pups. When we first got Lab Molly, she was so big & played rough & we were afraid she'd scratch the Pug's eyes, so we started separating them with a short fence across the kitchen area. But then as they grew up, whenever I tried to let them play together, I noticed the Pug would instigate things, & while Lab Molly was very patient, the Pug Rugby would sniff at her, etc, to the point where Molly would eventually get annoyed. When she made any slight protest, Rugby would lunge at her, & then they'd be trying to get at each other & it was hard to hold them apart. They get along fine together when we travel in our old motorhome, tho.

I think you are on the right track separating them for a chance to take a break from each other. Once the Pug grows up a little bit (and it can take some time for them to settle down) your dogs will probably become best friends. You don't have the size difference going on there that we do here--Rugby can start a fight, but we all know Molly could finish it, IF she wanted to, which probably she never would. She's a sweetheart & I wish that naughty little Rugby wouldn't pick on her.

[timmysf]

Rugbysmom,
Great story! It give me hope! Thanks for sharing.

Tim