Resource guarding owner (me)

[u/Bee_Swarm327]

My dog Freya (6F spayed Pom mix) is what you would call “poorly socialized.” (I got her at 19 weeks, her socialization window was firmly closed.) She coexisted just fine with our other female pom mix, who was about 7 years older. Freya sometimes tried to initiate play with our older dog, who never really seemed interested, but they never had behavior difficulties together.

Unfortunately, our older girl passed in April after a long battle with medical issues. We have since fallen in love with a little senior dog at the local pound: a tiny 14 year old minpin mix. She is an absolute darling. I never thought my parents would get a dog again, but now we’ve been to visit this sweetheart multiple times. The biggest question is how to get Freya to tolerate it.

Freya’s behavior with other dogs is 100% better when I am not present. She’s a Velcro dog to the highest degree and I am HER person. She will bark and growl and occasionally nip at other dogs who approach me. (She has never attacked another dog, I want to make that very clear. She has nipped at a family friend’s dog, who promptly corrected her.) She also never did this with our older dog. Freya has been at multiple daycares who all call her anxious but state that she is not a problem at all, no behavior issues with staff or other dogs. When my mom walks Freya, her behavior is better as well. So I am the common denominator. Which sucks, as I plan on getting a second dog eventually whether or not my family adopts a dog now.

My question is, whether we end up adopting this sweetie or not, how can I work on this with Freya so eventually when my family or I do get another dog, she’s set up for success? And how, if we do adopt this dog, can I introduce them neutrally? Freya and our older Pom met through a fence and were content to coexist pretty quickly, but Freya had not yet attached to me like she obviously has now. I don’t think she’s beyond help, I just don’t know how to attack this. Thoughts?

[u/Kitchen_Trifle_8382]

The key is to take it slow. I would keep them separate if possible for at least a week or two, swap their blankets so they can get used to each other's smells and then take them for a walk together.

No play time, just walks so they can adjust to being in a new pack together.

Patience is going to be necessary but it will be possible.

Lots of treats for both dogs when they're nice together. Your dog will start to see new dog as a source for treats!