Helping Old Dog Adjust To New Puppy! Hi! We have a 7 yr old Bichon, Angel, and now have our new puppy Mariah (who is now 14 wks old). We also have two adult cats. When we first brought Mariah home we kept her contained in our master bathroom and bedroom for several wks. We wanted all the animals to slowly get adjusted to each other. We started bringing Angel into the room. We would always put her on our bed where Mariah could not reach her. Occasionally she would choose to jump down. The puppy would instantly run to her and try to play. Angel would just run from the puppy. When Angel got tired of running from her she would stop and bark/growl enough to make the puppy stop jumping on her. Occasionally she would let the puppy close enough so they would sniff each other. Then the puppy would want to play again and start chasing Angel again. Sometimes the puppy would approach Angel and then lay down on her back or crouch down and crawl to her. It seemed as though the puppy was being submissive to Angel. For a little while Angel refused to come into the bedroom…not even for treats and even stopped sleeping in bed with my daughter. She definitely was “upset” about the new puppy. It has been almost six weeks and we are now slowly allowing Mariah to have more of a run of the house (while being supervised – when unsupervised she is in her x-pen in our master bathroom). For the most part Angel completely avoids the puppy. It seems as though Angel just doesn’t want to have anything to do with the puppy. The puppy wants so desperately to “play” and Angel just doesn’t want to. I think if Mariah would just stop chasing Angel – then Angel would be ok with her but puppy is relentless in chasing Angel. We’ve tried waiting till Mariah is “worn out” from playing to have Angel come near her but Mariah perks right back up the second she sees Angel! Mariah will chase her until Angel finally gets to a spot (like our bed or one of the chairs) that Mariah cannot get to. I’m concerned because eventually Mariah will be able to get up on the chairs and the bed and Angel will have no “safe haven” away from the puppy. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to help them get to be “friends”? |
I have a 5 year old Silky who was real happy when we brought the pup home (a little Yorkie), but as time whent on, the Pup was to agressive. They play a bit in the morning, the older dog will have enough and wants to sit in a chair with my husband for shelter, than the two dogs will play agan at night for awhile. Its been about 4 months and I really don't seee it getting any better. There both females, the older one just wants her space. |
Chewy is almost 2, We got Sadie at 10 weeks... she is 19 weeks now. We put them together right away. Sadie had run of the living room kitchen area. Chewy likes Sadie but she is a bit much for him also. he plays but he also gets fed up and lets Sadie know it. I read to let the older dog nip at the younger to teach them manners. I also was told by a vet that keeping a dog from every one is the WORST punishment you can give a dog. (I used to put my LAB in a different room when people came over that were not dog people, because he would bug them to death for attention) Keeping your puppy locked away might not be the answer. YOur older dog will teach the puppy when enough is enough. We don't get involved with correcting Chewy. Sadie gets the hint after a few corrections. (There is no fighting... just nippping, and growling) Chewy was mad at us when Sadie came but he got over it fast. She was here to stay and he is used to her now. He loves to play with her when he wants to. And now he will snuggle up to sleep with her. Today they were face to face on my lap! It was cute. Give your dogs a chance to work it out. Don't leave them alone for a while just in case. If I won't be near by I put Sadie in her x pen, because I am afraid she will get hurt, chew wires, who knows what a puppy can get in to. Hope this helps. |
I have a 6 yr old Silky, Tobey and now Izzie and the first few days he look like he was pissed and walk away. Izzie is always trying to play and nip him, but he lets her know quickly. There hasn't been any serious fights. When they get to aggressive I break it up... But Tobey walks away when he has enough. He always licks her head and tries to make the due but he can't since he his fix. But I read that it just his way of showing dominance. I don't think separating helps you have to let them experience each other and remember to give the older dog attention first. In time they should get along. |
Thanks! I appreciate the advice. When we first brought the puppy home we kept her in my bedrm & bathrm to help them all get adjusted slowly as well as to try to potty train Mariah and have her in a puppy-safe area. The cats had the option of jumping over the gate to check out the puppy when they wanted to and to get used to her (and her to them). I should have clarified that even though for a while Angel wouldn't willingly come into the area where the puppy was...we would pick her up and put her on my bed. One of us would stay on the bed with her to give her attention. Mariah was so young/small when we got her so we slowly expanded her world as she got older/bigger. Now at 14 wks old she has explored the entire house (while being supervised). I always give Angel attention, treats, etc. first. Angel doesn't seem as jealous or mad anymore. She just doesn't want Mariah jumping all over her. Last night Mariah (I knew it was coming) was able to get on the chairs that Angel was using as her "safe haven" away from the puppy. Mariah just chased Angel around and Angel just kept running away. She would run to us and try to get behind us as if to say "HELP"! Angel also asked to go outside often. A couple of times she would stop and bark/growl at Mariah but it would only slow the puppy down for a few seconds. At one point Angel was on my lap on the chair when Mariah climbed up and jumped on her. Angel did growl and sort of nip towards Mariah. It barely slowed her down! We tried to distract Mariah by playing with her, etc. while another was paying attention to Angel...but it was a long night! I feel so bad for Angel...she just wants the puppy to stop jumping on her...but I guess you're right - she has to let Mariah know that herself. Angel is such a sweet, gentle dog but I guess she's going to have to let Mariah know that she can't keep jumping on her. I hope some day they become friends. |
Tessa was 12wks old when I brought her home to my 10yr old border collie\lab cross. Misty wanted nothing to do with the puppy for the first 2 wks. We ALWAYS pet Misty first when we come home from somewhere, she gets her treats first and she gets just as much attention as the pup. I never separated them except when I went out and put the pup in her kennel. Misty now acts like a puppy and it is funny to watch the two of them playing. However, when Misty has had enough, she will growl and\or snap at Tessa to let her know enough. Just like a mom would do. Hope this helps and hang in there. My cat is a different story though:rolleyes: |
THANKS for the replies and advice! |
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