Yep, you are correct for those of you who recognize. That is Gotty.
I have written this 3 times because I am hesitant about posting.
This is probably going to be kinda long and confusing so stick with me.
Due to circumstances not in their control Josh and Bristol had to leave Gotty. I have decided that I will keep him (for now) and get his manners under control and give him some much needed attention.
He is a good boy (gooberhead) but I will not leave him upstairs in the apartment in his kennel all the time. He just needs a refresher course on his manners and commands. My problem areas have always been Kinzyl and Gotty in the main house at the same time. The kitchen is a problem area due to Gotty knowing that food is in there and that is definitely one of his high priority things in his head.
As you can see both rooms (the den and living room come off the kitchen and it is difficult to block them off.
The past couple of days have been an adjustment but it is working so far. We are doing a "room and rotate" thing. My bedroom has Kinzyl's kennel in it and he is wonderful in the kennel but I would like him to have more family time.
During the day they are fine on the porch. See front porch below:
Like I said during the day I let them play on porch, they each get walked and play time in the yard. Night time is the hardest to me I guess. Last couple of nights I have been putting each in the bedroom with a frozen Kong and let the other out in the house to watch TV or whatever with us. When it is time to go to bed. Gotty goes right to the kennel lays down and goes to sleep. Kinzyl and Sammy are in bed with me. No problems.
My question is, Should this be the norm or how should I try to see if they can both coexist. I am working on Gotty not being able to cross the threshold of the kitchen when I am in there. He sits at the edge. Kiznyl usually has her spot on the couch. This of course, is when they are seperated.
When they have gotten into a scuffle it is usually Kinzyl who walks up to Gotty or behind him and then he does a little growl and BAM it is on. It is easily broken up with me yelling no and grabbing Kinzyl's collar. That has only happened once in kitchen and 2 other times outside over when one of them threw up and the other was a tennis ball on top of the bakers rack on the porch. Oh yeah and one time when I was giving treats while they were doing the sit command next to one another.
I guess I am nervous about how to do this and just need a step by step guide. Kinzyl is not a resource guarder with Sammy at all. He can jump in front of her on the couch when she has a bone but he is also aware that she has it and has manners about it. You know what I mean? They can both be side by side and get their treats but I do feed them seperately across the kitchen from one another. Now remember that is Sammy and Kinzyl.
I guess I just need to give myself time.
Also, Travis and I have never thought about having 3 dogs at a time. So we have got our schedule and household accustomed to the two we have now. Our vacations are planned with the dogs in mind and our schedules are planned with them in mind. So please don't flame me when I say I am also looking at a rescue that could help me find Gotty a loving home where he can receive all the attention he deserves. I don't know for sure yet but it is a possibility. I can and will keep him here until a proper and experienced home is found.
Please if you have any ideas or questions just tell me and I will try to explain further.
Demo and Michelle, I am very interested in your thoughts. I know that my two are no where near trained like yours but maybe you could give me some pointers on how to start slowly. I just keep picturing their Christmas picture in my head and I would love to have Kinzyl and Gotty lay in the house next to each other like that.
Like I said I was nervous about putting this out there but I just want the best for all the dogs in this house and I don't want to screw ANY of them up.