OPINIONS NEEDED! Mickey doesn't like our new Yorkie

[tpaxton23]

These posts have been very helpful and I think I can see where I have fallen short on having Maddie accept the new puppy. I was giving him almost all my attention except at night when she is allowed to sleep with us and he has to be crated. I was at least feeding her first and giving her treats.

I think that I may have a power struggle going on here though, even though the puppy only weighs 2 lbs and Maddie weighs 6 lbs. He will turn his butt towards her and bark and growl at her and if she doesn't growl back, he will turn around and bark at her LOL.

I'll have to plan a special trip to Petsmart and the park with just her. She'll love that. Maybe I can also get hubby to take puppy to the den with him so I can spend more time alone with Maddie.

Thanks for the help!
Terri

[abbie's mom]

When we added Abbie to our family, eleven y/o Mozart (terrier mix) spent the first two weeks hold up in the bedroom. He barely came out for food and water, and would not join us in the family room. I was really getting concerned about severe depression. But, slowly...things seemed to turn a corner. I can't say that Mo 'enjoys' Abbie. I mean, who would enjoy having something jump in your face, and pull your tail all the time? But, they have settled into a coexistence we can all live with. I'm confident things will only improve as Abbie moves from puppihood to adult, loosing some of her zest for play.

My advice is: Be sure the senior dog has times set aside just for HIM and you. The puppy should not be allowed to encrouch into this time at all. Also, it seems essential that the senior pooch have someplace that he can escape the constant energy of a growing pup. He needs his space.

If the senior is not left to feel forgotten, nor pressed to accept this 'thing' that jumps at him all day until he's ready, things will probably come along pretty quickly. I think it depends on how much everyone wants the new baby, and how much you are willing to work for a transition into 'family'. It sounds like you want this new pup.

[MAKCAI]

Your house sounds a bit like mine was....They will be fine, it just takes a bit of time....i have always had dogs since i was little, and more than one at any one time...I remeber bringing my new Ali home, and i had this little Mongeral, oh my god, the house was up, he attacked him and the Ali was screaming all over the house...i was in tears...even though he was not hurt it was awful..this went on for days and days, but over time..i would say a weeek, 2 at the most they became really good friends...even though the little one was always the boss...my Ali knew not to bother him just by the smallest show of teeth...give it time....

Claire

[lilbumbleybees]

Honestly, it's different for every dog. Bouncer wanted NOTHING to do with Lotte the first 2-3 weeks we had her. And I've had her since February now....and honestly,he is still getting used to her. He doesn't want her too close to him, but then there are times where I've caught them licking each other (i call it kissing lol) and sleeping next to each other. So another thing is sometimes you can't tell. Bouncer will appear in front of me to be quite irritated by Lotte's presence, but when he thinks I can't see him he's fine with her. Sometimes it just takes a few weeks. Sometimes it can take two months. Your baby will adjust. And you need to be SUPER positive about the whole experience. Give him treats everytime the new baby comes nearby. Don't spend any more attention to the new baby than you do with yours. Make it equal. You don't want him jealous that this one is taking his place. The biggest thing is you don't want the daily routine to change. it can really throw our guys off and make them nervous fo what is going on. Bouncer always had his days at work with me. Even now, almost three months later, I STILL make sure that he has at least one day a week where when we go to work, Lotte stays home and he and I get our day to be together. I wish you luck and hope you can keep the baby. it is work helping the adjustment along, but in the end it is so worth it.

[Maddie-Rudy-Mom]

I am blessed with five furbabies, Lucky 16 year old chow-mix, four yorkies Maddie 3 years old, Rudy 2 years old, Polly 1 year old and Sprout is 7 months. They all got along great form day one except when I brought Sprout home, Polly would not have anything to do with him for about a week, now they are best buds, Polly won't leave him along wanting to play and they are always sleeping by each other. The four yorkies are alway together one goes out they all follow, one goes to the vet and the others wait by the gate till they come home. It is hard to see your furbaby unhappy, but, once they except each other it is the best. In a week you will be posting how well they are getting a lone. Hang in there.

[megan_kat22]

I understand where you are coming from COMPLETELY. My first Yorkie, Tucker acted this same way. Now, I love my baby to death and everyone in my family wanted to give our rescue dog, Tripp, a chance. and don't get me wrong, I liked him too, but Tucker was my boy and I didn't want him to be mad. I was upset for quite a few days, but Tripp found his place, and Tucker accepted him. They are now great buds, and I love em both SO much. So don't give up!

[baby03]

I am going to soon find myself in your situation and I am terrified. I have 2 toy poodles and 1 yorkie. The yorkie is 2.5 years old and weighs 4 pounds. I got her last. She has taken over. She is the alpha dog. She sees a poodle with a chew stick ,and she whines ,and they give it to her. Same with toys, food and beds. She knows she's the baby. This July I get a 3 month old female yorkie. My concern is for her to remain happy and alpha dog. I don't want her to feel replaced. I don't want her to feel hurt. She is not like a dog to me. The poodles are, but not her. She acts like my child. I have no advice for you other than Baby and fuss over Mickey more than the newbie. I truly feel for you and understand where you are coming from.

[SnowWa]

Isn't it funny how these tiny little Yorkie puppies rule the roost. My 8-week old Yorkie (from the first day he was here) definitely gave my 21-pound Bichon a run for his money.

They have no fear -- I'm sure it's the "terrier" in them.....tough little guys!

And the real funny thing is that my little Yorkie is very submissive and sweet. He goes up to people and other dogs on his stomach and then promptly turns over on his back to meet them. However - he's still not afraid of them and is soon running them around and chasing their legs off.

This makes me only imagine what a little "alpha terrier" must be like... something else again, I'm sure.

Good luck! Carol Jean

[JeanieK]

Originally Posted by MickeyTheYork

With all due respect, JeanieK, I don't mean to be rude when I say that you can't know that for sure. I've been doing research from articles online and they say that the older dog always feels it more than anyone else. This whole situation is getting under my skin because I can't find anyone that understands ME. Everyone's telling me that I am the one overreacting. I'm being the jealous one. That's not true at all. I am just worried about Mickey. HE is my first priority. Doesn't anyone understand me?

I understand you completely, but I don't think you are giving the dog enough credit.

I've introduced new puppies to old dogs, new kittens to old dogs, new puppies to old cats, new kittens to old cats, and even baby people to old dogs and new dogs and kittens, and new babies to old babies, and even a new step father to old kids. There is always a period of adjustment. But everyone has always adjusted.

Give them a chance to get to know one another and they will work it out. Dogs have their own way and they will work it out in their own way, if given the chance. They don't fret and stress over life like people do, they deal with it and move on. You could learn from them.

[Patti]

When I got Cali in August I had never had 2 dogs at the same time for the exact reason I felt I was being disloyal to my existing dog. I have a 9 year old pom who has always been aloof and snappy but I love her with all my heart. I really missed having a Yorkie, had 3 in the past, and decided I had to get one. Cali loves to jump all over my pom and Maya growls at her and chases her down a few times a day but wil lay togther nicely at other times. I know what you mean when you say that the existing dog looks at you like you traitor. But it has been 8 months and both are working it out and they get upset when one goes to the vet with out the other. Also when I walk then Maya is older and slower so she follows behind us and if we get to far ahead Cali looks back and waits for her to catch up. It's so cute becasue Maya will try and run to catch up as if she knows Cali is waiting for her. I would give it some more time and I bet they will get along fine. Good luck

[sashajade]

when i got brandi zac didnt like her he would growl and snap at her so i tried giving him more of my time but soon noticed it made him worse,if he was on my lap and she got on he would go for her so instead of putting her down and cuddleing him i pushed him down everytime he did it, it worked they now get on really well,i found it worked better to not take any notice of him when he was playing up and he soon realized to get my attenition he had to get on with her. when i got annie her and brandi didnt get on they had a couple of fights so i tried not taking notice but this time it didnt work so when they didnt get on i told them both off and then gave them time out,that worked and now they play with each other all day.so it depends on the dog to what you can do about it. if the older dog is on your lap and the new one gets on and your older one growls put your older dog down but dont say anything,my guess he will learn if hes bad he gets nothing from mummy but if hes good mummy gives him a cuddle.