New puppy and old dog annoy each other..advice sought
Discussion
Rehomed pup ( 6 month old b
h) and my old dog (13 but still fit/active) are driving me mad.
Got the pub last week and took the old dog along to make sure they get on. But after a few days the old dog took a dislike to the pup, initially when she jumped on him or tried to get between him and me, but now in random sessions where either he chases her or she seems to set out to provoke him. I think if he caught or cornered her she would get bitten. She just won't back down despite the fact he is twice her size. To start with it looked like she wanted to play, but now it looks like genuine provocation or aggression to his first growl.
We have a third dog (6 year old bh) who usually keeps out of it but will join in the chasing on the side of the old boy.
At the moment I put the first aggressor outside if they persist.
Ideas sought!
h) and my old dog (13 but still fit/active) are driving me mad. Got the pub last week and took the old dog along to make sure they get on. But after a few days the old dog took a dislike to the pup, initially when she jumped on him or tried to get between him and me, but now in random sessions where either he chases her or she seems to set out to provoke him. I think if he caught or cornered her she would get bitten. She just won't back down despite the fact he is twice her size. To start with it looked like she wanted to play, but now it looks like genuine provocation or aggression to his first growl.
We have a third dog (6 year old b
h) who usually keeps out of it but will join in the chasing on the side of the old boy.At the moment I put the first aggressor outside if they persist.
Ideas sought!
I don't have a magic answer but I think investment in a crate for the young un, to give the old one a time out. Feel a bit sorry for the old one, should be a peaceful retirement for him though a young dog can spice up the life of an older dog as long as it's within reason ! Hopefully the pup will calm down as the old and young can get on.
Provided they aren't drawing blood I leave my lot to get on with deciding who's the top dog, within reason. As as has been said the pups playing and testing the boundaries, the older dog is telling it where they lie. Baby gates, crate and water spray all help, things will calm down eventually.
AdiT said:
Young dog is testing the boundaries. Older dog is teaching her where they are. You're getting in his way. Either back him up and tell her off or leave him to it.
I read it that the young dog is not listening to the older dogs warnings so not learninig to leave him be but you're right there is some confusion. I can imagine there will be a day in the near future where he will properly turn on her, maybe she'll learn then!I think he does need to put move the younger one out of the way each time even if she wasn't the instigator.
Edited by bexVN on Thursday 1st November 00:08
That all makes sense. I think he just gets racked off with her climbing and jumping ( he is quite deaf and his eyesight isn't great). I have increased the time he spends with me alone in the home office to give him some peace and I think the time out crate is a good idea for her. Putting her in the garden helps too although he then follows her out and chases her back in. When we had the last new dog they had one set to when he bit her leg and drew a bit of blood whivh made her yelp and limp for a few minutes but since then she has given him a wider berth (wont lie near him or let him too close). Perhaps she needs a nip to put her in her place.
We had a similar problem when our youngest was a pup - older dog very timid in behaviour and used to his way of doing things; pup was a bolshy little madam who couldn't give two hoots for boundaries.
Took a few weeks of endless annoying of the older dog - literally jumping on his head when he was sleeping, nipping at his flanks, spazzing round in circles around him, barging in front of him through doors and up stairs etc. etc. - before the older one stepped up to the plate and said, "Actually, eff off means EFF OFF."
As long as they're not full on scrapping, I'd leave them to it - they'll find their own balance.
If you want to "help", decide some consistent boundaries and act accordingly. i.e. head-jumping not OK, so remove pup into a crate or behind a gate each time it happens, etc. Must be consistent, though, otherwise you might find it still goes on for ages as the lines are muddled and they struggle to find their equilibrium.
Took a few weeks of endless annoying of the older dog - literally jumping on his head when he was sleeping, nipping at his flanks, spazzing round in circles around him, barging in front of him through doors and up stairs etc. etc. - before the older one stepped up to the plate and said, "Actually, eff off means EFF OFF."
As long as they're not full on scrapping, I'd leave them to it - they'll find their own balance.
If you want to "help", decide some consistent boundaries and act accordingly. i.e. head-jumping not OK, so remove pup into a crate or behind a gate each time it happens, etc. Must be consistent, though, otherwise you might find it still goes on for ages as the lines are muddled and they struggle to find their equilibrium.
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