Puppy and Older dog

[Tobyman]

A week ago I got a male yorkshire terrier puppy, I allready have an older male yorkshire terrier (10 years old). So far the old dog will not go near the puppy, it seems he is frightened of it. When I first brought him home and went to feed him the older dog started eating the puppys food and when the puppy went near him the old dog went for him, no harm was done. All the puppy wants to do is play, but the old dog wont go near him. I want them to get on but I am worried if the old dog goes for him again it could do a lot of harm. Will the old dog ever except him. one of the reasons for getting him was to keep the older dog company since we lost the dog we had before.

[Poison-Ivy]

Hi Tobyman

I'm no expert but I think your older dog has probably been on his own for too long and doesn't want a "friend".

You could try behaviour classes (don't know how much these cost)

He may get better as time goes on but I do think you risk him snapping at your puppy and hurting him (even if unintentional).

I have a yorkie (3 years old) and my parents have always had yorkies, however they were all intorduced as pups.

Hope all works out for u

[lankeela]

I wouldn't worry, provided you give the old dog plenty of fuss and don't allow the puppy to pester him then they will soon get along fine. Once the puppy is old enough to go out on walks they will forget any differences, and even if the older dog tells the puppy off they rarely hurt them, they are only doing what the pups mum would do if it got ideas above its station, as you found out with the food.

Give the puppy somewhere of its own such as a cage or pen when it can go to sleep and eat to give the older dog some peace (you will probably find the older dog will go there itself to get away from the pup).

Just don't force the situation and don't tell the older dog off unless it is being really nasty to the pup.