How to teach an adopted dog to play gently with other pets?

Thank you for adopting Archie! I'm sure he is very grateful to have a loving home, but sometimes it can take a while for dogs to adjust. I've included some links below on how to introduce Archie to other dogs, as well as on how to help him adjust to his new life and family. Keep in mind that some dogs (particularly street dogs, who may not have had traditional dog toys to play with when they were younger) may not show interest in toys, but you can use walks/ runs/ time at a dog park or daycare and training to do tricks as other ways to interact with Archie. https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=8677941 https://www.petfinder.com/dogs/bringing-a-dog-home/tips-for-first-30-days-dog/ http://www.bcspca.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/DOG_Ado_Packet_updated_1_30_13.pdf

I'm sorry to hear of your concerns with Beckett. It is frustrating when our pets don't always get along. From your description it does sound like he is too rough with the other dogs. It may be possible to correct this behavior, but I think it would be best to get a certified animal behaviorist involved. They will be able to observe how the dogs interact and be able to develop an in-depth plan for how to correct the behavior. It may be a matter of just recognizing when things are getting out of hand and separating the dogs or more significant behavior modification may be required. It is impossible to know without observing the dogs in action. And good behaviorist will be able to do this for you.

Hi, thanks for using PetCoach! They are so cute! I think basic training for both dogs is VERY important. If Bolt doesn't listen to you that is a problem and can become worse over time. I would always have him on a leash when they are playing so you can pull him off the new dog when he becomes too much. I really like the gentle leader harnesses that go on the muzzle because it give you great control of the head and eliminates pulling. In some ways the new dog will hopefully teach him when enough is enough but I would try to avoid that as he may react incorrectly and start a fight. He needs to learn proper play and pick up on the ques other dogs give that he needs to stop. I hope this helps! https://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=9052

Poor Scooter! It sounds like he had a hard life before he came to live with you. Many dogs who grew up in environments without toys don't really know how to play - but often, they can learn to get better at this over time :) If the other dogs like to play with toys, I would suggest playing fetch or tug with them when Scooter is around - many shy dogs will eventually get up the courage to give it a try themselves, and will figure out what to do with the toys by watching the other dogs.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! First of all, thanks for what you are doing, that is very nice of you. I think it would be best if they are introduced slowly to the puppy meaning for short amounts of time to be increased daily until they are getting along well consistently. They should be supervised at the beginning when interacting with your cats or puppy. I think it would be a good idea to have toys and beds for both to make them feel more at home. Good luck!

For now, I would recommend keeping Marge on-leash whenever the dogs are together - this way, you can prevent her from chasing him, and can also reward her for remaining calm when he is around. When you aren't able to do this, it would be best to keep them separated to prevent any problems. As Marge gets older, this problem should improves as she settles down a bit. If these suggestions don't help and there is no improvement in the situation in the next week or so, I would recommend getting in touch with a good reward-based trainer who can work with you in person to help address this issue. You can search for a qualified trainer in your area here: www.ccpdt.org

This is a tough situation, because the overly rough behavior has a great deal to do with his personality, which is very difficult to fix. You are doing the exactly correct thing in response to his behavior, but you will likely have to continue doing this for a long time until he gets it. The best way to keep him from doing this behavior is to not let him get into the excited/playful state where he starts to scratch and bite too hard. However, that would likely mean that you would have a lot less playtime and likely a different relationship with your dog, which may not be desirable for you. If you want to continue with the training, then keep in mind that you have to stop playing and let Aramis know that he's being bad as soon as he starts the undesirable behavior. You only have three seconds from the time that he does the behavior before he will not associate the punishment with the act. You can try doing hour-long training sessions where you break from playing as long as it takes for him to calm down. Hopefully that will speed up the learning, but again, it's going to take a while and may not be 100% successful. I hope that helps some, but if you need further help, you may consider hiring a dog trainer, or scheduling a consult with a veterinary behaviorist.