Playful dog won't play with new rescue dog... :( :(

[foxandhound]

Well, I guess these things happen, but it's so heartbreaking and I am hoping there is something that can help. I need some advice please.

The short version: I adopted a rescue dog 2 days ago and he seems to be resource guarding and not vibing with my playful dog. The worst part is that my playful dog is now a bbit sullen, depressed, and drops toys and defers to this dog. Playtime and toys are my dog's bread and butter. He will instantly play with me, my beagle, the dogs at the park, but he will drop the toy with the new rescue dog. This is the first time I am seeing this. I got them to share a tug toy if I hold onto it, but if I stop, so does my dog. They seem indifferent and not at all buddies...more details below.

The long version: I have 2 rescue dogs, one is a wise and happy Beagle who recently became blind due to her diabetes. The other is a super playful, extremely social Spitz/Sheltie. Well, my Beagle is older and slowing down, but still enjoying her golden years. She cant keep up with my Sheltie and he is crazy for a buddy. So, we thought if my beagle approved/responded well to another dog, it would be time to get a my Sheltie a playtime buddy.

A local rescue had a pom mix who looked really happy. He is maybe a 1 year old, roaming the streets, they neutered him, and put him in a foster/doggy daycare. I think he was in foster/daycare for a week?

On Friday, 2 days ago, they brought him over and it was love at first sight for us, he was so cuddly, loves to snuggle. My blind beagle didn't growl or mind this guy at all. They were great! He seemed OK with my Sheltie too. They even ran around the yard together. I don't know what happened after that, but we adopted this pup and within hours, he bonded to us and not our Sheltie. My Sheltie tried to kiss him, but he would turn away or get up and leave. Then my Sheltie did not want to touch any of the toys that the pom picked up. I guess my Sheltie could read his signals/cues.


Well, he was right because next thing you know, this dog is resource guarding everything- toys, food, chews. It's sad because this dog is a cutie and he is so good with us and my Beagle likes him, but he is starting to cause changes in my Sheltie's personality. There are no fights, but no real positive vibes either. My Sheltie will pick up a toy and play with it, then the pom approaches, takes it, and lays with it enjoying it until I take it. My Sheltie will not want to play with this toy again unless I take it and make a huge deal of how fun it will be. My Sheltie will resume playing with me, but he will instantly walk away when the other dog bites the toy. I was able to get them to play tug of war when I hold the tug too, but once I stop, so does my Sheltie. This is sad. Then, the pom brings the toy over to me to play with him. So...He and my Sheltie are pretty indifferent to each other. They get along, but they are not playmates and I suspect it has to do with the signal cues and behavior that this guy is showing. We brought him to the dog park an he just kept to himself.

I dont think he had any temperment testing, he is worse with food. Way worse. Instead of being aggressive with my dogs, I dont give him the opportunity. I feed everyone meals separately and he is a bit aggressive to me. He has responded well to me taking away his after-dinner bully stick and getting it back when he sits/waits. He had made great strides with that in just a day. This guy is emaciated and looks like he was starved. I don't think he was fed well in foster care either, but he was treated for parasites so maybe that has something to do with it. I can work with food aggression.. I was able to deal with my beagle and teach her, but it's not easy. The rescue is skirting the issues and recommending that I walk the dogs together 5 times per day and squirt his bum with water, then his body during the problems. Yea....no.

I guess these problems are probably related to my Sheltie not being into him? Please help, I want to work with this guy, but I dont know if he is the right buddy for my Sheltie even if he is the right buddy for me. So hard, my family loves him and has bonded with him. I mean, he snuggles and cuddles, loves to play catch, etc. etc. I love him.

Is there anything I can do to get them to enjoy toys together???? This is my Sheltie's bread and butter. He loves playtime. So, seeing him do this is hard for me since this was a buddy for him. I could deal with everything else and I can really work on the food aggression, but the vibes with the toys is sad. M

One big burning question.... maybe I could foster a happy, playful high energy dog and see if that can help change the dynamic with the toys??? I dont know what to do here. I was looking for a high energy dog to compliment my Sheltie....but I didnt get that and my Sheltie seems depressed. So thankful for any help!