[samsonsmom]

Ok, I understand the "breaking in period", getting to know you time, but this worries me....Background first..Samson as most of you know I rescued when he was 6 and he bonded to me incredibly fast..He's very protective of me as well, to the point that Marq and him had extreme issues for a long time...Samson detested Marq, he saw him as a threat and would take me away...Anyways, got past that, but there is something that has lingered, IF i get down on the floor, like to play Samson has to stand on me, it's like he's protecting me from what I don't know....Anyways, this afternoon I was on the living room floor, playing with Flick, Samson came around the corner, stood right in front of me and would not move!! Then if Flick even got close he lashed out at him...This happened a couple times, I gave Samson a stern "no" each time, but after the third time I decided it was time to get up...Once I stand up, everything is fine..Oh sure Samson still growls a bit if Flick tries to crawl around him, I expect that, but this other behavior is worrying me..I want to be able to play with all of them, but it's very hard when Samson gets so darn protective...Thoughts, suggestions?

 

[samsonsaunt]

I think it's the floor thing. When you are down on the floor, you are no longer big momma, you are now his size, and he needs to protect you. Standing up, you're out of Flick range so you're safe.
Awww Samson takes such good care of you.

 

[samsonsmom]

Lol, yea I know that's probably what it is..Never had this with Buck & Tia so it was all new to me...I love him to death, but you would think by now he would know he doesn't have to protect me, least wise from a 10 lb puppy! He does love me, talk about an over protective parent :lol:

 

[mylittledeers]

Aww Samson just wants to protect Mom from those little puppy teeth!!!!Hahahha, Seriously, I agree with Jill when you are on the floor it makes you vulnerable, so Samson goes into big dog mode. I think I'd snuggle on the floor with Flick when Samson is occupied doing something else, outside or sleeping if possible.

 

[samsonsmom]

Yea Lori, that's what I have been doing..Thing is Samson has always been "velcro" dog with me, so hard to get much past him..But I will have to work on that

 

[Sadiesmomma]

Aww Samson, such a protective fella. I agree with Jill and Lori..definitely a down at his level so he feels you need to be protected mode. I don't have any ideas of how to help this other than like Lori said, be with Flick on the floor separately. Give em both a squeeze from me. Samson...such a silly boy!

 

[Ky_IsisnOnyxsMama]

Willow..>> from me to you  ><  

give my sean connery a big hug around the neck and tell him we wuff him

 

[Barbs2Ks]

Aw momma is vulnerable so Samson needs to protect her from the puppy.  Can you get him in a down first and then be on your knees so you are still taller then him, bring in Flick and see if that works.  Just guessing here  :?

 

[southerngirls]

willow have you thought about using a baby gate? Maybe have it where samson can see you and flick play but cant interact. Maybe if he sees that it is just play while you are on the floor it could take some of that...i dunno aggression??...that is directed at flick away.

 

[Guest]

i go thru this w/thor my firstborn.

 

[samsonsmom]

Putting Samson in a "Down" won't work..Couple reasons, he never mastered that command, plus it's hard on him..A baby gate is a thought..I guess I just want all of them to interact, but I have come to the conclusion that as far as Samson goes, it is not going to happen..He's too set in his ways and he's too old..Him & Angel have never played and he DOES NOT have these issues with Angel, just Flick..Jealousy? I've tried the "be gentle" doesn't work..Talking calmly, doesn't work..Flick tries to playbow and get Samson to play, Samson just snarls at him and bops him 8O

 

[Kalyn]

I would have to agree with the others that it has to do with your being on the floor in a vulnerable position.

Perhaps a very slow introduction may work. Have you tried limiting the time they spend together?

 

[samsonsmom]

Flick generally spends most of his time with Angel, very seldom with Samson as he is a bit intimidated I think. I've watched Samson while Angel & Flick play and sometimes he will almost start whining, then almost like a low growl, that's when I step in and remind him to "be calm"..I hate to say it, but I am sure a lot of this behavior is the result of things that happened in his past and he just can't get past it...But I definitely will not get down on the floor if he is in the house..Too big of a risk

 

[Ky_IsisnOnyxsMama]

i think hes just set in his ways...and feels thats what he HAS to do..hes not changing his mind..time may prove to him that Flick isnt going to hurt you or any of you..but right now he feels like maybe the playing is unsure and maybe doesnt understand the concept of play? Isis didnt for 2 yrs and is still learning its ok..

as i told you today about Isis.. she got ontop over me with a certain person a FEW different times and refused to move ..she protected me from something i didnt know..something set her off and she was adament about it..i couldnt move her an inch.. only happend that way 2 other times and both times i was sitting on the ground or floor and all 3 times it was a woman never a man or kid..i chalk it up to something in her terrible past that i dont know about...

:roll: & a warning i should have headed long before i learned a hard lesson about people :roll:

hard with our rescues to know what triggers bad memories..& things they think are bad or will hurt us..

 

[samsonsmom]

Ky I do agree and when you told me about Isis doing the same thing it kinda made me feel better...Yea, I am just going to be careful and not try and put any of them in a situation like that again..Samson definitely does not know how to play, hence the reason he doesn't go to meetups, so that is a big part of the problem..At his age, it's really hard, so we shall just go with it

 

[Cherrypie]

Don't be mistaken - Sampson standing over you might be protective, but it's also a dominance thing.  He doesn't want Flick near you because you are HIS.  He believes that he is above you in the pack.  So, the answer to this is forcing him into a down position and other types of exercises designed to show him that you are the boss.  However since he has troubles with these things and the dominance doesn't seem out of control you might decide not to bother.

This will be fine as long as Flick is ok with Sampson being the alpha dog in the house.  But I just worry a little that as Flick gets older if he decides he wants to be the alpha there could be some fighting.

 

[Nikki08]

Yea, I have to agree with that. It does sound like he loves you and is very protective. But this really also sounds like a dominance thing. Like he is showing Flick who you "belong" to. I know I'm by far not an expert so take it with a grain of salt! If I were you I would try to gently remind old Samson who is the boss. And show him that you don't need him to hover over when you are playing with Flick. I see where you can think he is just being protective, but I'm sure he knows little Flick can't hurt you. That's why I think it sounds more like a lesson for Flick. He's supposed to be seeing Samson do this to you and therefore Samson is showing him who is boss.....

Or I'm completely off base. It's been know to happen once or twice! :wink:

 

[samsonsmom]

Oh I do agree that it's a dominence thing as well...Keep in mind we are dealing with an 11 yr oldBoxer here that I rescued from a bad situation at the age of 6..Totally set in his ways and yes he is definitely letting Flick know who is the "boss". Sadly, chances are that Samson will not be around when Flick gets older and as his mobility gets worse he will be less likely to get around much at all.. I knew that we may have some problems, but I guess I figured once Flick had been here a bit it would be ok, course it has been only 2 wks, But I am letting Samson know this is a behavior that will not be accepted and I think it may be starting to sink in

 

[Kalyn]

It's hard on those old guys to change their ways. Glad to hear he is starting to get the idea.

 

[nano]

I would just use the gate to give him his space when you are playing with the other two.  I use a lot of baby gates and ex-pens with dogs.  If gives all the safety factor without you having to dominate anyone and they can work it out in their own mind that things are okay. The down would be too much to ask of Samson even if he was physically fine to do it.  It is just way too over the top for him do to past experiences.  Part of it is jealousy and part is that he probably doesn't feel that good about a puppy jumping around on him and is concerned that could happen.  Make sure you take your time with him and then give your time with the others when he can watch behind the gate.

Nano