In a fit of weakness, we have adopted a new pup. A neighbour originally had her, and ditched her, and I took her in until a permanent home could be found. Well, it's been found. By my son. "That's my dog!" is the rallying cry around the household now. Apparently, the words, "We'll have to take it to the pound," put me in some sort of hypnotic state, that I don't wake up from until there is dog poo on my stairs, my slippers are chewed, and my spare room is a big ol' toilet bowl. This is how we got the first dog, 7 years ago.

Now, our other dog was 6 months old when we got him. He was pretty much house-trained, and had a few commands down, so further training wasn't a problem. Much. This dog, I have no clue about. How do you house train a puppy? She's about 10 weeks old, and a black lab/border collie cross.

Next, my cats are freaked out. They took to the first dog not too badly, but this one has sent them to the basement, where they remain in hiding. How do I acclimate them to the new dog?

Lastly, what the hell is wrong with someone who brings a new baby animal into the house, and then just ditches it, without a thought or concern? I just don't get it. Why bring in an animal, if you don't want to care for it?

Sigh.

-- Anonymous, September 30, 2001

Answers

Michael Fox, an excellant Vet and animal behavioralist, has written quite a few books on co-companioning with animals and also training puppies.

We also have a great animal behavioralist here in San Diego for other issues I can't find answers to. You may have one in your area.

-- Anonymous, October 01, 2001

Being a lab/border collie she's probably really bright and easy to train but so hyper as to freak out your other dogs. I have several articles I can point you to:

http://www.uwsp.edu/psych/dog/lib-Puppy.htm#ph

if you scroll up and down that page it also has articles on introducing dogs to cats, etc.

People are dumb sometimes.

-- Anonymous, October 02, 2001

I've always had stray cats. My current cat, (a sylvester type female) is 16 yrs old. She tolerates no other cats. She only likes me.

I had a male about 2 yrs ago (tabby). Unfortunately, he was killed in a fight with a vicious tom cat. When I had my tabby, my female sulked the whole time. Sometimes cats are just that way. They are unpredictable. I remain a one cat household.

As much as I like dogs, I don't own one. I am often away weekends, and the cat can fend for herself as long as she has food, water, and a litter box. She has been doing it for years.

Good luck with your animal situation. I don't envy you. It sounds like a "ruff" predicament.

-- Anonymous, October 02, 2001

Oh, Joe, you so funny.

My other dog is a Dalmatian, so hyper is not unheard of in our house. He's a nut, and the new pup seems calm in comparison. I am still worried about the kitties. Axe is 12, and I've had him since he was a kitten. I feel like I've almost betrayed him by bringing this new pup in.

-- Anonymous, October 02, 2001

deb, I can't understand why anyone would abandon an animal. It boggles the mind. But I do know that people who have no compassion for animals have no tolerance for people weaker than themselves, either, and they lack basic empathy and compassion.

In other words, anyone who'd put a puppy out to fend for himself is a wanker, and not someone I'd pick to be a friend of mine.

Kudos to you for taking the lil' tyke in. -- M

-- Anonymous, October 03, 2001