I am so appreciative for all of the responses and advise. I appreciate the time that you spend writing a response and trying to help me. Sometimes I get overwhelmed when there's a problem and I seek input because I want to do what's right for my pack. Sometimes I also learn that what I was doing wasn't best even though the advise came highly recommended. However, it does sound like what I was doing before my internet search was closer to correct. Prior to researching the issue, I was discipling the baby girl first by separation and then by crating. To me this made sense. But then I read about acknowledging the natural pack order by placing my old girl at the bottom because of her age and illness (I'm always at the top) and got confused even more. My initial thought was that the puppy needed to respect the order and not try to dominate her way into a position that didn't belong to her (I was right about that part).
Buster Brown: Thank you! I plan to read the post that you linked. I'm so glad your senior wasn't severly injured in the pack attack. So far the attacks have only been initiated by the baby girl but I am sure taking note of what you said. It only takes a quick second and the poor senior can be severely injured or even killed.
Yorkiemom1: I had started crating my senior for her protection but only when I was at home. I understand the pack attack mentality, so from now on she's crated when I'm not at home. I had begun to get relaxed and that seemed to be when the attacks occurred. Thank you!
BJH: Here's a weird note, I sometimes dog sit my baby girl's sister and they get along so well. No fights, no growling, just lots of play time and fun. I still think the puppy has learned to disrespect my senior and I've got to get back in control of all of them.
Gemy: You've given me a lot to look into. Defininitely will be crating my senior for protection but will also start re-training baby girl so that she is more respectful. You are so correct, I need to do some more disciplining and training her because I've allowed her to behave inappropriately because she was the baby (bad mommy). I'm also going to start allowing them to sleep with me only after they have earned the priviledge. My older 2 have great behavior and rarely require correction from mom so they'll be easy to work with. The puppy will quickly notice that she is the only one crated, lol! Security, Peace and transquility is what she's entitled to and it's what she'll get!
Gemy & Yorkiemom1: I now go outside for all group potty breaks and play time or I let my senior out by herself so that she has the yard all to herself. She deserves peace & quiet. |