new dog

[chemgrl08]

Hi all! Just wondering, since a lot of you have dogs, how your dogs got along with your beardies. Now no, I'm not planning on letting them both out on the floor at the same time, but my new dog, Tucker, has a fascination with the beardie (Yoshi.) Right now, the beardie's tank is on the floor. I have ordered an aquarium stand to help remedy the problem (maybe it will be less interesting if its harder to see?) And I also thought that if I introduced them nicely (so the dog could smell the lizard and see, hey, its no big thing) that it would help. Instead, he became intensely interested in the lizard and now won't leave it be. Luckily, the Yoshi could care less so its good that its not stressing the lizard.
Any experiences with this? The dog has a lot of general training to go, and I am willing to do the work, but just unsure what to do.
As some bg on the dog, he was a rescue from the pound and as a result seems to have acquired seperation anxiety. (Yes, I've checked online, its NOT boredom, its REALLY anxiety.) I've only had him for... barely a week. He's just a little guy- a chihuahua-fox terrier mix! And yes, I walk him ALL the time- we went 3 times today to try to beat the anxiety. I'll post more on the dog for advice in the off topic forum. Here are some pics of the cute new guy! I love him but boy is he causing angst! :roll:

 

[Gail]

I have three dogs, the biggest is a old pit mix and he really could care less about the dragon. He will come over and sniff at him but he never chases him, doesn't even care if the dragon jumps on him and hangs out on his back for awhile but hotrod has always been a very mellow dog.

The other two are dachshunds, snoopy and sadie. They are very interested in the dragons and I'm sure they would kill a small one if they had a chance. They will follow a adult around and harass it if possible. They once cornered my last rescue in the bedroom but didn't do much more then bark at him but he was more then willing to bite the dogs if they got too close. If a mellow adult was ever in their reach and I wasn't around, I could see them harassing it to death, they are a hunting breed after all.
If I'm holding a dragon then all they do is get close to sniff, they know its off limits when mommy has it.

Best thing you can do with your dog is teach "leave it" or "stop" that way if he ever goes after your dragon you can get him to immediately stop what he is doing and come back to you. Being part terrier he probably has prey drive so firm training is a must. A good training class can also help with his anxiety.

 

[beardie parents]

My mother's dog had that problem right after my father died (4 years ago last July). She was afraid that my mom would go away and not come back like dad did. She was that way for a couple of years.

 

[TheDragonPilot]

I think you should try introducing the lizard and dog to each other. :idea: When my friend got a new kitten she had two dogs; a collie and a terrier. She got me to hold the dogs back while she showed them the kitten, now called Sid,LOL. Bella, the collie, was very calm about it and just sniffed the kitten a bit, whereas Flossie, the terrier, was going mad about the new arrival. After a while though both the dogs got used to having a kitten around allthough they do have to keep Flossie out of the room Sid is kept in whilst not being observed.

So, get someone else to hold your dog whilst you show him the lizard. Bring Yoshie close to Tucker but not close enough for Yoshie to be hurt. See how Tucker reacts and keep doing this. After a while, if Tucker is not to wild about the dragon, try bringin Yoshie closer and so on.

It might not as well as you hoped for; you might have to keep them seperate forever, but give it a try, you never know!

I hoped this has helped a bit

 

[chemgrl08]

thanks all for your input! I think I will first try "leave it" since that's an important command anyway. We've discovered some discarded McDonalds several times on our walks and they proved to be quite a tasty temptation! lol

 

[TheDragonPilot]

LOL, i hope yoshie isnt quite as tasty as the mcdonalds!

 

[chemgrl08]

ROFL! bahahha!

 

[TheDragonPilot]

LOL, yes i would like six chicken nuggets, 4 cheezburgers... and a lizard. dont take that offensivley!

I hope this never comes true in real life- for 2 reasons.1.no one wants their dog to eat a beardie (including me), 2. your dog would probably be taken away because it can speak human

 

[TheDragonPilot]

soz i diddnt realize how small the writing came out there, what it said was: dont take that offensivly!!!!. LOL

 

[TheDragonPilot]

Hows the training getting on by the way?

 

[chemgrl08]

Tucker is doing quite well with his training! I'm very proud of him! We have been working hard on the "leave it" command and he is very good! Sometimes a discarded burrito is too much for him, but he is definitely good about obeying the command inside the house. He has also learned sit, stay, dance, and we're working on down. (For some reason that one is really tricky!) Good doggie!

 

[TheDragonPilot]

aww sweet, does he leave the lizard when you tell him to then?

 

[chemgrl08]

he's getting better at it but you have to catch him when he first gets interested! If he's too entranced by the lizard already then you're too late! haha