Any ideas on how to retrain a lab cross with a new mastiff puppy in the house?

Question

We have moved into a new house in the last 3 months and my boyfriend had the lab from when she was approx 18 months old from a rescue home. We moved into the house, leaving the lab at his old house with his mum for approx a month, bought the mastiff home for the day and then brought her here the following day.The mastiff puppy has been trained really quickly thanks to crate training,however the 8yr old (approx) lab cross pees n poos when you leave the room,sometimes outside the bathroom door when you go the loo, doesnt do as she's told and has bit the mastiff pup a few times, once leaving a mark under his eye. She has plenty of treats and lots of fuss and was the perfect dog until she moved here. I understand it must be traumatising for her but it has been over 2 months of this and normally a dog has adjusted by now (speaking from experience of my mum and dads dog during a housemove and other friends and families dogs). Any advice?Thanks,Em xxx

Answer 1

Resteart the crate training just like that 8 year old were a puppy. Long hard road but worth it. Don't give up!

Answer 2

You should have taken the Lab mix there before the Mastiff pup. The lab looks at the whole situation like the mastiff was the first one there, so it should be his house, but he isn't acting like it's his house, so I'm (the lab) going to take over. The lab is trying to take the ownership away from the mastiff, and also tell you that she isn't happy with the situation. (The presents that she's leaving you) I would suggest that you let the dogs work out who the boss is, the sooner they get that taken care of the better off everyone will be. As far as the presents that you are being left. Put her in a crate when you leave, it won't take her long to figure out that it's not acceptable in the new house either.

Answer 3

I had a lab/rott mix that i introduced to my mastiff puppy shortley after moving into a new house when she was 2. it was a very hard transition for her to 1) not be the only dog and get all of our attention, but 2) move from my parents home where she was familiar. If she is the more dominant of the two - that is ok. dont coddle either dog when they are showing upset behavior, it only encourages it. You need to show that you are in control (pack leader) *I do not ever hit my dogs, nor do i ever have to raise my voice to them. Be confident and steady and do not overreact when they get into a squabble, they are just finding their place in the pack. Watch her body language. if hair is raised or ears are laid back, or tail stiff - she is in an aggressive mood. If she has her front legs down (almost like a downward dog in yoga) tail is wagging ears perked she is being playful trying to engage the mastiff. I made sure that i was spending enough time with both. I also jog with my lab which she loves. That is our time to spend together. I dont know if you have a yard or not, but taking her out for daily walks or jogs will be helpful. as for the bathroom part it sounds as if she is acting out. Once she determines where she is in your pack she should settle in. Remember, you only have 3 seconds to correct an animal after they do something wrong - and them realizing that is what you are correcting them for. So if you come home and realize she has urinated somewhere - clean it up and do not scold her because she will not make the connection that is what she in trouble for. A year later they are best friends and i do not have to crate either one. They have free roam of the house/and or yard if they are outside. Also, i recommend bark busters behaviorists - their techniques are great - and just make sense. Good Luck!