dog not happy with dating situation

[samsmama]

I'm glad to say I am dating someone right now :wink: , but Sam my dog isn't too happy about it. He barks frantically at me if I am in a conversation with my friend, does annoying things just for attention, and is, in general, a big brat. I try and pick up a toy and throw it, pet him, and reassure him, but it doesn't seem to do any good. Anybody have suggestions of how we can all get along?? Even worse, my new date has a dog that terrifies Sam. Now, Sam is about 78 pounds, a golden retriever lab mix. Wilson is 12 pounds, a rat terrier mix. Doesn't make any sense. For whatever reason, Wilson must be one scary dude, cuz Sam inches slowly away from him, looks at him sideways, and doesn't want to be anywhere near him. They've only had one meeting, and I'm hoping to reintroduce them in a neutral place this weekend. By the way, I've had other friends' dogs over and he seems fine with them. How can I help them to get along too?!

I think Sam is used to getting all of my attention. I don't spoil him, and I do have friends over quite often, and have a roommate, so you'd think it wouldn't be that hard for him, but he seems to be struggling.

Anybody out there dealt with this problem before?

[kendalyn]

Once in a while Buck gets clingy and whiny when Scott comes over, so I kind of know what you're going through.

I think you're probably making it worse by paying him attention when he is being a big pain. I would give him something to occupy him while you're busy, but don't pay him any attention when he is vying for your attention by being obnoxious.

When your friend comes over, give him something like a peanut butter stuffed kong to play with. When he is done with the kong and comes over to you guys, pet him a little and say hello again, then ask him to lay down and ignore him. Even if he starts being obnoxious. Either ignore it, or you could have him lay down again. I ignore it usually though and Buck stops and lays down next to us. This is pretty much what I do with Buck when he seems particularly clingy while Scott is over. It works for us.

Maybe someone else has some better suggestions though :-)

[courtnek]

two questions - is he just vieing for your attention, or does he seem aggressive/afraid? if just attention, then he's jealous. Tell him no, put him through a small obedience trial (sit, stay, treat) and let your date treat him.
If aggressive or afraid, be careful. They are better judges of character than we are. A friend brought a date over, and my malamute mix hated him instantly. Would not let him touch him, or come near him, or my friend, while the dog was in the room. Turned out he was a "beater"...
she had him arrested after he smacked her for non-compliance.

As far as the other dog, Goldens are generally laid back, and he may feel
"cornered" by a dog with stronger personality traits. I would make a day of it, providing you feel safe with this guy, with both dogs on leashes, going for a walk and seeing you all getting along...

best of luck!!

:D

[imported_Kat]

When I let Meg meet Sander, I told him that she was the best judge of character and that our relationship would depend on her opinion :P He kinda panicked a bit lol! Anyway when Meg first met Sander she was uncharacteristically unsure about him and when we walked holding hands, and Meg was off-lead she would come in between the two of us and try to get into heelwork position to impress me hehe! She was a little jealous of someone being near her precious soul mate of a Mum and was vying for attention. We went for a hike up in the mountains so Sander and her could get to know each other better, and after an afternoon of throwing her ball, they were the best of friends and she decided that she liked him after all :D At Crufts this year, they got on fabulously actually, and apart from Meggie leaping on our bed in the guest house at the "wrong times" :lol: , things were great and Sander is really good with her.

Just work on your relationship with your own dog and your boyfriend but make sure that your dog knows that it is you in control and not your boyfriend. Good luck! :D