vicky_26
Warren Scout
So my attempt to bond Parker and Hugo wasn't very successful and I would really appreciate some help as to what to do next.
I set up a puppy pen in my living room and put Parker and Hugo in there.
Couple of initial scuffles, chasing and fur pulling. Within hour seemed to calm down and up to Sunday plenty of grooming and seemed to be getting on well.
Then I messed up. I had extended their area as Hugo was chomping at the bit to have a run around. they had both been out in my lounge totally fine, no chasing, and pretty much same behaviour as within the pen. However, somehow they managed to get past a temp barrier I had set up and went in the back porch...which is where Parker is based. I had started to neutralise the area with white vinegar but I think her little wooden Ikea bed triggered her territorial nature and there was fur pulling and chasing.
Straight away put them both back in the pen (very upset that I might have ruined things by not being as vigilant as I should) but they did calm down however now Hugo seemed really wary of Parker. There was grooming, a fair bit of sitting apart but some sitting/laying down together.
However, it seemed when Parker made a sudden movement it would startle Hugo and he would look to be about to starting chasing behaviour. I seemed to be able to calm him down by gently talking to him and telling him to calm down. There was a scuffle late Sunday and I decided rightly or wrongly to take Parker out of the pen and leave her in the front room so they we're still in the same room but either side of the puppy pen.
Monday morning I put Parker back in the pen and apart from one initial scuffle! the behaviour from the previous day continued.
I had to go to work today :0(
My question is, of I continue to do this could it ever work?
As Hugo is in the pen all the time and Parker in and out would this then make it not a neutral area?
Should I admit defeat and look in to bonding services?
Although I'd read lots on here I really didn't think I would fail so miserably. With Poppy (bridge bun) and Parker I didn't follow any 'rules' and just put them together and there was never any issues! Clearly I was very lucky,
I am sorry for the long post and that I am posting so much about this.... Just could really do with some good advice.
It doesn't help I live on my own so have no help at all
I set up a puppy pen in my living room and put Parker and Hugo in there.
Couple of initial scuffles, chasing and fur pulling. Within hour seemed to calm down and up to Sunday plenty of grooming and seemed to be getting on well.
Then I messed up. I had extended their area as Hugo was chomping at the bit to have a run around. they had both been out in my lounge totally fine, no chasing, and pretty much same behaviour as within the pen. However, somehow they managed to get past a temp barrier I had set up and went in the back porch...which is where Parker is based. I had started to neutralise the area with white vinegar but I think her little wooden Ikea bed triggered her territorial nature and there was fur pulling and chasing.
Straight away put them both back in the pen (very upset that I might have ruined things by not being as vigilant as I should) but they did calm down however now Hugo seemed really wary of Parker. There was grooming, a fair bit of sitting apart but some sitting/laying down together.
However, it seemed when Parker made a sudden movement it would startle Hugo and he would look to be about to starting chasing behaviour. I seemed to be able to calm him down by gently talking to him and telling him to calm down. There was a scuffle late Sunday and I decided rightly or wrongly to take Parker out of the pen and leave her in the front room so they we're still in the same room but either side of the puppy pen.
Monday morning I put Parker back in the pen and apart from one initial scuffle! the behaviour from the previous day continued.
I had to go to work today :0(
My question is, of I continue to do this could it ever work?
As Hugo is in the pen all the time and Parker in and out would this then make it not a neutral area?
Should I admit defeat and look in to bonding services?
Although I'd read lots on here I really didn't think I would fail so miserably. With Poppy (bridge bun) and Parker I didn't follow any 'rules' and just put them together and there was never any issues! Clearly I was very lucky,
I am sorry for the long post and that I am posting so much about this.... Just could really do with some good advice.
It doesn't help I live on my own so have no help at all