Help - I think I found CUJO reincarnated!

First of all... Hello, my name is Alexandra... I have visited this board a few times since I love doggies - but have really been concentrating on the lap band message board since I joined OH. Ok, I need any expert advise. I am fostering three stray puppies (unrelated) since Friday. (On Saturday, one of the three was adopted) The first 2 nights, this puppy (Ruth) kenneled up with the other pups and slept no problem. Then today and tonight she just turned into Cujo overnight. She attacked Joshua (Puppy 2) in the kennel tonight (and also, she wont sleep in their alone either - yelp yelp yelp!) Now, I am up all night, because she will NOT sleep in the crate with Joshua because she keeps attacking him. Luckily, Joshua is doing realy well with housetraining, so I have him my big bed with me. When I try to put Ruthy in the kennel (with blanket and snuggly toys) she screams, literally. It is so high pitched and loud, you would think I was harming her. I tried seeing if she is hungry, no. I tried seeing if she needs to use the potty, newp, that's not it, she still yelps. I tried playing with her (just me) - newp, she still yelps. She feels to have normal temperature, and she is definately not acting sick or lethargic. We can't set her down to play because she keeps attacking the other dogs. As little as she is, she has had my 45 lb Holly Berry yelping. She bite and growls at us people, and we can not figure out the reason. We try meeting all of her needs and she just seems to be very angry. I am not sure how to handle this behavior. We used to able to calm her down by holding her and petting her and she would sooth to sleep. This evening, I was sitting on the couch, holding her and petting her to show her some loving. I got a phone call, and so I let her on my lap and she growled, bit me and jumped to the floor (way too high of a jump for her) and yelped when she hit the ground. I was mortified. I just feel like I am failing on her - so is there any suggestions you have? Does this sound like normal behavior for an eight week old puppy? I have already contacted the organization I am working with via email (its almost midnight where I am at...) but I need to somehow get through the night. I have sleep study tomorrow night, and I would really like it to go well. Thank goodness I have an experienced babysitter for tomorrow (from the organization) for the pups. On a postive note, Joshua is doing VERY well. He has already learned to sit, and he almost almost has down. He has not had one accident since we started training him. (He had a few on the first day, but I think that was us people's fault since we were just getting to know each other LOL). Thanks for listening and any advise that may be forthcoming. I will be waiting with baited breath! Best Regards, Alexandra

What breeds are Joshua and Ruth? Weights? Approx Ages? Depending on those answers, could be that Ruth has never been properly socialized and is reacting to being in a new scary situation. The first couple days of quiet could have been from being tired and hungry. Now she realized she doesn't know where she is or whats going on. I can help more after knowing more!!!

Unfortunately, I dont know what her breed is. I was told she is a shepherd mix. She to me looks like a pug/shephard mix, or a shephard/sharp pei. She has folded skin, but I can't tell if it is from her being a little puppy with a lot of skin, or not. I have a picture of her and the other pup on my website, www.xanga.com/roseebloom. The other puppy, Joshua, I was told he is a shepherd/boxer mix. But, he has a purple tongue, so to me that pegs him as a chow or sharp pei mix... he doesnt look chow at all. He totally looks boxer/german shepherd. I was told Ruth is 8-10 wks, but I think she is younger. She suckles looking to nurse and kneed. She doesnt have problems eating though. Joshua, I was told he is 3 months old. Since these were strays, it's hard to tell exactly how old they are. I am also working with the organization that I am fostering for, so I am getting some good advise today (thank goodness), but I would appreciate your input as well because I know Ruth needs me, and I don't yet know how to meet her needs. Thanks! Alexandra

For anyone in a household with more than one dog, these things can really help keep the peace! Kennel/crate separately. Feed in their kennel/crate. Fee Ruth first, see seems more dominant and this will show her that you know that. Only supervised playtime together, after Ruth settles in. Separate walks and play time. Massage and/or soft brushing will really help both puppies get used to people and handling. Ruth had a rough start apparently. She doesn't trust anyone or anything. Give her time. Keep in the back of your mind too that you don't know what she's been through, it could be possible that she just is not "right" in the head. Good luck!!!