Noticing The Differences Already

[melonie]

I have been really careful about treats, toys and anything that the dogs might feel is valuable. Mainly because Lilly doesn't like to share them.
No chews, toys, or food is given to them unless they are crated.
I noticed Lilly rooting around the sofa the other day, I checked it out but didn't find anything.
Tonight, Cleveland was rooting around the same spot. I went over to check it out. I couldn't find or feel anything.
Winston growled a bit later, so I again went to try and figure out what the deal was. Still couldn't find anything.
Cleveland must have started rooting again, and Winnie must have tried to butt in, all I know is that in a flash Cleveland was trying to bite Winnies head off. I broke it up, stuck Winnie in a crate so he would be safe. I moved the crates in front of the sofa, then moved the sofa. Still couldn't find anything. But the back fabric panel is held on by velcro at the bottom, I pulled it off, and out dropped an old chewie, among several other missing items.

Cleveland used to like to hide his valuables. But he wouldn't fight over them. He'd just go steal it back and hide it.

Maybe Cleveland is still adjusting and is just less tolerant right now. He likes to play, but once he's done, he's done and wants to be left alone. Rhett is such a dork, and will try to re-engage him in play. I really think he has a hard time reading other dogs. I've suspected this a little bit so I have been keeping a close eye on the two of them. Lilly and Cleveland like each other, but their play is the first to end. Lilly is intense in her play, and is not the first one to stop, so I do step in and make them stop before they get pissy with each other.

I've been using the crates a lot. I use them to settle all the dogs down, give others a chance to be goofy and play.
I'll be rotating all of them in and out of the crates until everyone settles into a routine.

Outside time is going alright. He was up for running and chasing this afternoon. Sunday my fence will go in, and life will be so much easier.

We'll see what time brings. All I know is that I'm glad to have Cleveland back with me.

[maryellen]

i would do the 2 week shut down with cleveland,and not let the other dogs interact with him, just to give him 2 weeks to destress and settle down.. its going to take him a few weeks to settle in, and with a tiff already happening cleveland is tellng you he isnt ready to jump right into the old routine just yet... he needs more time to shed his old adoptive life and check things out now that he is back with you.

i would just let him hang on his own and dont let the other dogs near him or bother him.. give him some space for the next 2 weeks .... then slowly re introduce him back in one by one ....you are setting him up to fail big time by not giving him the needed time to destress (you see this by him trying to bite winnies head off already ......)

[suziriot]

Ditto to 2 week shutdown and everything else ME said. This is really all too much for him. He needs some time and space to relax, settle in, and feel safe again.

[melonie]

You're totally right.
He is in his crate right now. Rhett and Lilly are crated as well.
I will modify it a bit to fit in with my routine, and see how it goes. Lilly is almost out of heat, so she can get in, get fixed and I can work on finding her a home. That should help settle everyone down too. She has a hard to find off switch sometimes.