Expert: Jill Connor, Ph.D. - 10/29/2008

Question
QUESTION: my neighbor has a femal three year old Great Dane. They got her fron a rescue site last week.I have a male two year old
Bassett-Beagle mix. we've had Oliver since he was six weeks old and lived in the same place the whole time. We share the
big back yard with the neighbor. The two dogs haven't got off to a good start both are scared of each other. Oliver
charges her and she runs away but if Bella stands up to him
he runs away with his tail between his legs. Even if Oliver hears Bella bark from inside the house he gets anxious. I understand that Oliver thinks he's protecting his property
but how can I get them to get along



ANSWER: Oliver is reacting with fear; he appears to not be well socialized to other dogs.  Bella is already very fearful (in her new situation, which will take her months to adjust to) and might, herself, not be properly socialized to other dogs.  These two cannot be allowed free interaction; they should have been introduced on leash, walking parallel, OFF THE PROPERTY and allowed to establish some sort of social interaction with one another.  Too late. Also, you most likely have no control over Bella's situation and may not be able to obtain the cooperation of her owners.  The Great Dane is a powerful breed.  I have no information regarding her past history or any demonstration of her temperament inside her new home; I don't know one thing about how she was obtained (rescue site? online adoption? contract involved? history of former ownership?) but I can tell you that dogs are dumped for a reason; one doesn't usually find the proverbial "lassie" from rescue organizations.  You need to protect Oliver.  Go OUT WITH HIM on leash (long extending lead); show no fear of Bella and do not in any way discipline Oscar for showing fear.  Instead, observe Bella's body language closely.  Watch her ear set and tail set.  She may be just as afraid of Oliver as he is of her.  If you can REWARD Oliver's NON FEAR state, and if you are able to get the cooperation of Bella's owners to do the same for her, you can ease these two into a friendly relationship.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Bella's owner had passed away , she had been in a foster home ony a couple of days. Oliver gets along with most dogs, I take him to the dog park occasionally and my inl-aws have a large male neutered German Sheppard and they have great fun together when they see each other. So should I keep Oliver on the long leash at all times when Bella is outside and just correct him when he gets aggressive towards Bella. I know you said not to but shouldn't I do or say somthing to him that this is no right. Also should we start trying to go for walks together


Answer
Do NOT correct Oliver, he is reacting out of fear and your correction will frighten him further and make this situation totally unable to be rehabilitated.  You need to speak with Bella's owner and arrange multiple parallel walks; you need to REWARD Oliver for NOT reacting from fear (but read his body language, be sure he's not still fearful.)  Keep Oliver on long leash only to protect him; we don't know what Bella will do or what's she's all about in temperament.  She's a much larger dog; Oliver is reacting to SOMETHING about her (given his successful socialization with other dogs.)  It might be HER fear he's observing, but I don't know that, can't tell from here.  Reward Oliver's calm interaction with you outdoors when Bella is present (observing his body signals) and work with your neighbors to evaluate Bella's temperament and sociability toward other dogs.  If her owner passed, this tells me she was not adequately socialized to other dogs (because of the owner's age or health.)  If I were in your situation, I would consider fencing the property line between you and your neighbor.  If Bella is inadequately socialized to other dogs and demonstrating fear, without full cooperation between you and the neighbor over the next few weeks, this situation might escalate.  The two dogs could work it out between them but the size difference, and Oliver's clear fear reaction, tells me this is not likely to happen.