new collie

[fairkatrina]

Hi on Saturday we got a 1 year old collie who has a lovely temperament except when our other dog tries to get on the beds / cusions etc etc, when she goes for him. Luckily he is in complete awe of her and doesn't fight back. I know teething troubles are common when introducing a new dog to a house, but we found out today that she is going through a false pregnancy, and I wondered if that had anything to do with it (she's nestmaking etc). The rest of the time they are like long-lost friends. Thanks!

[andy-hughes]

It could well be your new bitch's 'den' instinct coming into play - any expectant (as she feels) bitch will defend what she sees as her future birthing place and home for her pups.

It may also be a bif of assertion in pack terms - even though she is the newcomer, there's nothing to stop her advising of her own spaces in the house - your other dog will wither accept her dominance, as he seems to, or they will spat and snarl until an order they can both live with is established. This seems to have already been sorted out between them, but if your other dog decides to make a play for the 'top dog' position, your new bitch will resist, and there will be tension. If this happens, leave them to sort it out for themselves, unless it gets prolonged and nasty, but that is very rare - the 'top dog' makes his / her position clear, and everyone else falls into line.

[divegirl]

Perfect answer ^^^^^^^^^^...... Just leave them to it and they will sort themselves out. On a sentimental level I would just like to add..... As lovely as it is to welcome a new animal, be it cat or dog, into your home it can be distressing! I bought my daughter a kitten for Christmas and this cute little bundle of fluff rules our house! My other cat and my FOUR dogs do not get a say in anything anymore...... Mouse rules....OK [stupid name I know]. He eats first, lays where he wants....to the extent my Dane can be found turfed off of his sofa and if he doesn't get his own way....God help us....lol. But what ya gonna do....lol. Love them all. Good luck.

Lisa x

Anyway, as a man.....sounds like your other dog knows his place ;o]

[lankeela]

As far as the phantom pregnancy is concerned, your vet can give her an injection which will stop this. Spaying her will also prevent future occurrences, and also prevent your male getting over excited, which he could do even if he is castrated.

Males rarely fight back when its a female, and he will soon learn to make allowances for her!

Try giving him a place of his own where he can get away, such as a cage or a den under the stairs, or let him go into another room for a bit of space.

[fairkatrina]

Thanks both, I've had several dogs over the years and know that scrapping goes with the territory, so I'm not particularly worried, certain as we've only had the collie for 2 days! I was just wondering if her phantom pregnancy has exacerbated the situation, as I've never had a dog go through one before.
P.S. Divegirl, I thought exactly the same - this is a matriarchal household and all the men are downtrodden lol.

[divegirl]

That's what we like to hear.....hehehehe