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Originally Posted by Zoey Zendaya  Also with existing 1 and a half year old both being females?
Zoey isn't taking to newbe very well. She postures and follows and wants to lunge at the little thing. I do keep baby in pen and am right there in the middle when they are having their periods of getting to know each other.but Zoey is extremey curious.....and try's to be in her face. .... |
I'd cut her some slack as she adjusts to a new baby in the family - one who is likely coo'd over and cuddled more than she'd like and maybe is raising some jealous feelings she needs time to adjust to. She's probably unsure what the baby might do next, which is what's likely behind the lunging - her way of telling the little one to keep her distance as stare's/glares rarely work on puppies - it takes actual stopping them in their tracks to usually corral them as adult dogs quickly learn. Even momma dogs have troubles keeping puppies under control.
Should she ever seem to be stalking the puppy as prey, bare her teeth more than a split second or growl deeply and threateningly - the truly serious threats anyone recognizes for what they are - or her body goes silently stiff, still and tense, should she nip or bite at the little one, then you should glare at her, raise your arm and point at her, stand up, usually not saying anything as sudden or scary sound can provoke an attack during a very, very tense, hair-trigger moment, still locking eyes with her and pointing at her, confidently move into her space, backing her off and standing her down while still staring/pointing at her until she softens, gives up and leaves the area, clearly showing her that type of more aggressive behavior against the baby won't be tolerated by her pack leader. Once she backs off, you walk away and resume your seat and show your older dog that's how she relieves the tension of the moment - softening, giving in to your boundaries quickly and moving away from the baby. A few minutes later, if she's still calm and staying put, a nice pat or tickle and a little smile will reassure her that she's still your baby, too.
The next time, only allow her to get within 4 feet of the baby if her body's not wiggly, eyes/ears soft and everything about her is showing she wants to be friends. If she tries to get closer, point, stand up and back her off in a matter-of-fact, teaching-type manner, requiring that she give the baby some space for now, while she's adjusting to its presence in her world. Also shoo the baby back to her permitted area, saying "back, back, back" or "go to your play spot" with your outstretched hands as you bend down and corral her back to the center of the room, beginning to teach her some early boundaries as well.
Just be sure to always monitor all adult dogs around puppies until the pups are old and savvy enough to outrun, hide or fight back should the older dog get pushed to its limits of tolerance during the transition period of a newbie joining the family. Remember, to most dogs a new puppy is an interloper at first and a spastic one at that, likely to do almost anything. But given some time and boundaries, usually even the most hostile-acting older dog will usually soften up in time and begin to accept the baby as a young pack member. The moment you see her beginning to act to protect the baby, you'll know she's accepted it as a full pack member, though pack members still have their disagreements and social bumps from time-to-time.