Need assistance with dominance issues of new puppy and older doggie!!
 

Hi everyone!

I am new here to Yorkie Talk...for those that didn't see my introduction post I will fill you in.

So my parents have a 13 year old male yorkie named Oliver.

I had moved out, and I am back home for a little as my boyfriend is traveling right now. Our female yorkie, named Treble, just came home to me last night. (We were waiting a month!)

Well I didn't know I would be coming to my parents so soon, and I am having dominance issues.

Anyone have some tips and recommendations? The female came home late last night (11:30pm) and we waited till this morning to introduce them.

Oliver is a sick dog...he is on medication. I didn't want to do this to him, but with wrong timing, it happened this way. The female snapped at him, and she wouldn't stop, so that got Oliver excited. He came in my room, and initially started sniffing around. Then he began sniffing her until she started snapping. I have Oliver outside of the room, but because he knows she is in there now, he will not leave the door and is whining.

I don't know what to do or how else to do this. And I don't want to upset Oliver further, because I know he is sick.

I have never had a new puppy come home to and older dog. I know it's going to take time, but if anyone has advice it's greatly appreciated!!

Thank you<3

Anyone? Dominance issue with older dog and new puppy. Need some tips on getting them to get along.

Thank you!

Thank you:)

Hmmm. Usually it's the older dog showing dominance to the puppy. How old is your puppy? Maybe she's afraid? Lucy growled at Ringo when she first came home but the tables quickly turned.

She just turned 4 months yesterday. She has calmed down a lot now and wants to play with Oliver (the older dog). Oliver is very interested in her still though and he won't settle down. He is licking her, and not trying to fight which is good.

We purchased a gate...gonna try to keep them divided so he can relax.

Ty :)

Usually it's best to introduce two dogs on neutral territory, so that neither one feels they need to defend prior ownership.

In this case, since Oliver is much older, not well, and it's his permanent home, I think providing him the run of the house (almost), and containing the puppy in a small area is probably best. One suggestion is to get them near (on either side of the gate, for instance), and treating each as long as there's no barking or other signs of aggression. Do that for 5 minutes, then give them a break. Then do it again. Pretty soon they will associate seeing the other dog with treats. That's good! Then try some brief time with supervised interaction.

I agree that the new puppy probably snapped out of fear. I wouldn't be surprised if she started rolling over and showing submission once she becomes used to his presence. Again, provide treats for both dogs (best if there are 2 humans to do this simultaneously) while they're near each other. Thus, it's a good thing.

Don't worry and don't rush things. It takes time, and the dogs will pick up on your emotions, so if you're stressed, they will be. If you're calm, that spreads to them, too.

I will admit that the first month Lucy was home; it was a very stressful time for all of us.

It took Ringo (he was four) and a dominant, male, Westie ~ a little while to get used to her.

We were so worried about his first reaction when she first came home - but it was SHE who growled at him! I do think she was afraid. He was so much bigger than any other dog she had seen (at that point).

After that initial shake-up though, it was Ringo who had all the issues. We did the treat thing mentioned above; kept them separated most of the time; and together for only short periods at first. Finally, they began to get used to one another. We began walking them together (helps if you have a partner at first). Slowly, their bond began to grow.

We did not allow them together in any small, confined spaces at first. Save that for later. Most of the times they were together at first - were in our big, fenced back yard OR in our living room - which was also large.

Good Luck!