After 4 months in the shelter...

[melonie]

I am putting Ellie through the two week shut down. Modified for limited space.
I have her crated in the kitchen, with the crate mostly covered. The other dogs can not get into the kitchen, but they can see the crate.

My question is... after being in a shelter for so long, how do I make sure that she doesn't form any crate aggression, or possessiveness?

I have the boys' crates in my bedroom, I usually let the dog pick which one he wants to go into, and neither really seems to prefer one over the other.

When Winnie met her, (she was crated) he went into instant playboy mode. play bows, tail wags, and just his usual good humored self.

When Cleveland met her, he did what I thought he would do and started barking at her. Instantly pissed me off. I put him outside to burn off more of his energy.

It's been a few hours now, and both boys are finally off of their watch tower duties, and crashed out on the sofa. She is sleeping.

She's actually dealt rather well, she barked back at Cleveland, but settled back down easily.
I'd like to put her crate back out in the livingroom again, but I can't until Cleveland quits being a pig. (tips anyone?)

[RealPitBull]

Be careful introducing the dogs to Ellie if she's trapped in a crate, which could make even the most low-key dog feel threatened and cause a defensive response.

The best bet for keeping her happy about approaches is to click/treat them. Or use a verbal marker/treat system. Either way, she should learn that people or dogs approaching means something good happens.

The only other warning I have is watch out for food possessiveness. You may want to treat both dogs (Ellie and the approaching dog) so that both are focused on their own thing - like toss a treat to Ellie in the crate, and then to the approaching dog, away from Ellie's crate. Also avoid nose to nose type stuff through the crate.

All precautionary stuff. Prevention is the best (behavioral) medicine!

[melonie]

Ellie is really low key, so far. She gets a burst of happy and does a few zoomies.
Earlier she was out of her crate and the two boys were in their crates. I had the bedroom door open so she could see in, the only dog who could see out was Winnie. Ellie started to play bow to Winnie. I went over to see what he was doing, and he was trying to play bow back. I decided to let those two meet.
I put Winnie on his leash and brought him out of the bedroom. it went off with out out a hitch.
I ended up taking them outside so they'd have a bit more room. It was nice to see them get on so well. It was all about circles, sniffs, play bows, fake play bows, and zoomies. I didn't let it go on for too long.

I am going to enlist some muscle to introduce Cleveland and Ellie. I'll control Cleveland, but I want someone to have Ellie on leash as well. I don't expect problems, but he can quickly become too much of a good thing. I'm hoping this intro will get their curious cats taken care of so she can be crated closer to where we are. Once that part is over I'll let the dogs near the crate and use the click/treat method.

[melonie]

Food possessiveness... Cleveland is having a bit of an issue with. Primarily treats. But, if I happen to drop anything edible, Cleveland would likely knock down anything in his way to get that tidbit.
If I am able, I make my 'no' noise, and put my foot over it so no one gets it.
Any time treats are handed out outside of crating, the boys will sit, and whoever butt hits the floor first gets the first bite. No one gets anything the other doesn't get.

He's pushy I guess. He'd be the jerk in line that would cut in front of grama to get the best deal. Then act like it was his right to do so.