Dog guru needed....
Discussion
While we were in America a couple of weeks ago, one of our 2 dogs was ill and had to be put to sleep.
The other dog (10 years old and VERY mellow) was clearly sad and spent time looking for the dead dog, and Linda decided that she wanted a replacement sooner rather than later.
Anyway, we got a german shepherd cross puppy (the same as the remaing dog we have), 6 weeks old last Wednesday and the current dog seems to be scared of it!
He runs away from it and if cornered growls at it but dosent bite. He seems terrified of it, even though its tiny!
I know the growling is sometimes OK as its teaching whats what, but does anyone have any ideas how to get them to like each other, or will it just happen over time? (Its only day 3 I know)
Thanks
The other dog (10 years old and VERY mellow) was clearly sad and spent time looking for the dead dog, and Linda decided that she wanted a replacement sooner rather than later.
Anyway, we got a german shepherd cross puppy (the same as the remaing dog we have), 6 weeks old last Wednesday and the current dog seems to be scared of it!
He runs away from it and if cornered growls at it but dosent bite. He seems terrified of it, even though its tiny!
I know the growling is sometimes OK as its teaching whats what, but does anyone have any ideas how to get them to like each other, or will it just happen over time? (Its only day 3 I know)
Thanks
black sabbath2 said:
Our older dog was very offhand when we introduced it to a 6 week old puppy,however after a couple of weeks they rushed around like lunatics.Now they are inseperable,miss each other like mad if one goes out on its own.Give them time they will be fine.
Same here, but was quite a few months before they became really good pals (mostly because the pup terrorised the older dog by play fighting, chewing tails etc).Don't let pup bombard the older one, allow older dog to approach puppy not other way round, this may mean holding pup for introduction.
If pup corners him remove pup asap from situation as this will stress you older dog out. Other than that I'm not sure except time, it maybe worth visiting dogs trust website they usually have some very good advice pages, chances are they will have something on this.
Good luck
If pup corners him remove pup asap from situation as this will stress you older dog out. Other than that I'm not sure except time, it maybe worth visiting dogs trust website they usually have some very good advice pages, chances are they will have something on this.
Good luck
bull996 said:
Thanks for the advice all of you-he has always been very good with other dogs-but this one is in his house!
He's probably a bit confused and still affected by the loss of his pal, give him time, lots of reassurance and ensure the puppy does not give him too much grief, hopefully he'll settle and accept the new arrival soon enough.Dogs react differently to these situations, some love to have a newbie around distracts them from the loss, others will never form the attachment as they did before, it could be that it's all been too much too soon and in hindsight would've been better to wait a bit longer before getting new pup but not something you are going to know in advance!
Sorry to hear about your other dog, bad enough anytme but worse when you are on your hols.
Edited by becksW on Saturday 24th July 15:55
g3rrd said:
Six week old pups. 
I thought that was a critical age for development and mum and siblings should be together?
Yep you're right, he is a bit young, but it was best for him.I thought that was a critical age for development and mum and siblings should be together?
The Mum and pups were being abused (cigarette burns on the ears and body) and starved-they had stopped taking the mums milk.
bull996 said:
g3rrd said:
Six week old pups.
I thought that was a critical age for development and mum and siblings should be together?
Yep you're right, he is a bit young, but it was best for him.I thought that was a critical age for development and mum and siblings should be together?
The Mum and pups were being abused (cigarette burns on the ears and body) and starved-they had stopped taking the mums milk.
king running over.bull996 said:
g3rrd said:
Six week old pups.
I thought that was a critical age for development and mum and siblings should be together?
Yep you're right, he is a bit young, but it was best for him.I thought that was a critical age for development and mum and siblings should be together?
The Mum and pups were being abused (cigarette burns on the ears and body) and starved-they had stopped taking the mums milk.
Poor pups (and poor Mum, have the RSPCA been told), hope vet check gives him clean bill of health, by 6 weeks he shouldn't have needed Mums milk but only if they'd bothered to wean him properly.
at least he's having a sniff at pup and showing an interest.Ensure that the older dog has time to get away from the younger dog. He will get used to it, but from his point of view he had a pack mate who he is now pining for and then another dog has come along......
It will take him a bit of time, but in a few months he will be playing with the puppy and having a great time and I am willing to bet it will help keep him young....
It will take him a bit of time, but in a few months he will be playing with the puppy and having a great time and I am willing to bet it will help keep him young....
bull996 said:
That was in the first 5 mins though...not been that close to each other since!
That's ok, at least he wasn't aggressive right away. It means it will just take him a bit of time to get used to the puppy. The puppy will annoy him at first by being too gregarious BUT then he will get to the stage where he decides he wants to play as well.....Dont forget to always make a fuss of the older dog first, and feed him first too.
This helps the heirarchy establish.
I would also make sure you spend quality time with the older dog as its easy to forget him when there is a new puppy about.
Time will allow this to resolve itself as long as you send the right signals to each dog.
This helps the heirarchy establish.
I would also make sure you spend quality time with the older dog as its easy to forget him when there is a new puppy about.
Time will allow this to resolve itself as long as you send the right signals to each dog.
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