Puppy bullying older dog

[greeneyedmonster]

I have a 10 yr old Yorkie who is an angel but very timid, and have just got a 7 wk old Yorkie puppy who is terrorising the older dog. I was hoping her instinct would kick in and she'd show the pup who's boss but after snapping at her a couple of times to no avail, she's given up. Any ideas anyone??

[lankeela]

Yes, either put the pup or older dog somewhere that the pup can't torment her. Get a cage or puppy pen and only let the puppy play when the older one is not out loose. Its not fair to her - this is basic common sense and when the pup has grown up a bit it will learn to leave her alone. You don't have to keep them shut up, just make sure the old girl has somewhere to take time out from the puppy. Older dogs will rarely harm a puppy, so she has done what she can to tell it off, but you really don't want her to 'show her who's boss' or you could end up with an injured or frightened puppy if she really turns on her. When the pup is older they can be walked together and allowed to be loose together but monitor the situation and don't allow her to make the older one's life hell.

[andy-hughes]

If your older dog is really bothered, she will assert herself with the youngster to make sure that pack hierarchy is maintained.

If she isn't bothering, it's probably because she isn't bothered.

It's hard to assess the saituation without sight of the dogs, but if yuou really feel your old girl is suffering and unable to deal with it, then you as 'pack leader' can step in and give your young pup a yell and if needed, a smack to make her leave the older dog alone.

Dogs respond to the pack mentality, and you are 'top dog' so feel free to chuck your weight about a bit for the good of all concerned.

[lankeela]

NO NO NO never smack a puppy andy-hughes your advice is usually spot on but this time I am afraid its totally wrong. Smacking a puppy serves no useful purpose, she already has one timid dog, this will only make the puppy the same. If the puppy nips a person, then you can make a yelping noise like a dog would do, and let the pup think it has hurt you which is what another dog would do and what its mum would have done. Seven weeks is rather young for it to be leaving its mum anyway and it would have had a bit of discipline from her if it had been a few weeks older.

[greeneyedmonster]

I read that Poppy (older dog) may not want to chastise Lucy in case she upsets me and gets told off so I have been stepping in. I haven't smacked Lucy but have tapped her bum and said NO! and she seems (I think) to understand. She's only 7 weeks old so it's early days.
I have got a crate for her but she screams the place down when I put her in it so am working on techniques to get her used to it.
Lankeela-would making the high pitched "eek" thing work to put her off when she's starting on Poppy? Incidentally, when I said "show her who's boss" I meant just put her in her place as her mum would have done-nothing violent. I don't think Poppy has a violent bone in her body poor love :-(

[andy-hughes]

I am happy to stand corrected lankeela.

I think I may have over-stated my case with the use of the word 'smack' - and if you notice, i did state this was only in case a loud 'No!' did not have the desired effect.

I think a little tap on the bum, to draw attention rather than to hurt, is appropriate discipline for a puppy, but you are quite correct - a 'smack' is not appropriate, and careless use of language from me.

[RATTER15]

I agree as above ^^^^^^

[lankeela]

Making the noise when she starts on Poppy might work, but to be honest if its upsetting Poppy why let it get to that stage? What might work is distraction techniques, i.e. make the noise to get her interest on you and then play with her or give her something to chew or play with. I just feel sorry for the old girl who is having to put up with this young upstart pestering her. Her mum or siblings would have played roughly with her and put her in her place, but doesn't sound like Poppy feels inclined to do this.

[lankeela]

For crate training feed her in there and put her in when she has been playing for a while and ready for a sleep. Leave the door open when she is playing and give her some chewy things when you do put her in there.

[greeneyedmonster]

Well there's been a little bit of improvement today. Poppy was playing with her ball and the little bruiser muscled in which made Poppy just slink off, but gradually with encouragement from us, she gingerly got her paw and took the ball off Lucy! Plus a couple of times she has barked at her telling her to back off, so it looks like the worm is turning.
I've been doing some crate training today and that has shown a definite improvement too so I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Just have to make some headway with the toilet training now...she is so tiny and near the floor I can't tell when she is squatting!

[greeneyedmonster]

Oh also Lankeela I should have mentioned that Poppy although she's 10 is quite frisky and when I'm playing with the puppy she wants to get involved-and to be honest I think in spite of everything, it's given her a bit of her spark back :-) My aim is to keep her happy (happier if poss) and train the pup to be as lovely natured as her but definitely socialise her more so she's not as timid.

[jules77]

Why would you let the puppy terrorise the older dog? Keep them separate until the puppy learns the meaning of the word No, and just have them together when you are around and able to correct the puppy.

At 7 weeks old, puppies are usually still with their siblings though, so dont know how long you have had her.

[greeneyedmonster]

Jules...as they are both Yorkies I used the word "terrorise" in jest. The puppy doesn't even weigh half a pound! As I said earlier, Poppy involves herself voluntarily and is starting to stick up for herself which I think is a good thing. Don't worry, Poppy is my angel and I would never let anyone hurt her. If Lucy was really terrorising her and I felt the situation would never improve I would take her back to the breeder but as we've only had her since Monday I'm definitely not giving up yet.

[jules77]

Your original post suggested Poppy had 'given up'!

Disappointing to hear someone is being sold a puppy at such a young age, was this an experienced breeder you had her from?

[greeneyedmonster]

Yes Jules I thought she had given up but she's hanging on there. The breeders are not what I'd call professionals but that was a plus point to me. They are just a nice couple with a genuine love of dogs. Perhaps 7 weeks is young but from what I saw whilst searching for a puppy it seems to be fairly normal. The pup is really well adjusted (in my opinion) and doesn't appear to be suffering any kind of trauma from being separated from her mum too soon-quite the reverse!