Dear Old Trainer: I have a 3-year-old dachshund (Charlie), whom I love dearly. He was my best friend and went everywhere with me until my husband brought home a German shepherd (Duke), whom I also love dearly. After Duke came, Charlie seemed a little jealous and became very distant. I tried to pick him up, and he snapped at me.
I told him "No!" in a firm tone and took him outside. Ever since then he growls at me, and no dog treat can change his mind. Charley is not that way with Duke or my husband. He likes Duke and follows him around the yard. I have tried everything, but nothing works. Please help me, I need advice!
-- Geraldine, Atwater
A: Well, that's just what The Old Trainer didn't need today, Geraldine -- a question that stumps him. And TOT isn't the only one perplexed by Charley's behavior. A dozen trainers have been consulted, and none has ever heard of this problem.
It is common for a dog to sulk when a new dog arrives, or be grumpy with the new arrival, but unheard of for the dog to accept the new arrival, but become hostile to the owner. No such case appears in the training books or on Internet resources.
We have e-mails and calls out to a number of trainers and perhaps someone reading this column will have information that will be of help. We will continue to work on it and will deal with the issue again in next week's column.
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