Adult dog meeting new puppy

[littlechelle]

Just got a new puppy and my 7 year old dog is very wary of it. He has always been brilliant with most dogs but is behaving very strange with the puppy. I have bought a large cage for the pup so that both dogs can see and smell each other without the puppy being let loose to torment the dog.

Does anyone have any tips on making my dog less wary as I am too scared at the moment to let the pup loose as I don't know how my dog will take it

[LaLa1705]

Hi there,I can help but can you tell me:what sort of dogs they are?is your seven year old neutered?does your older dog have access to your sofa, bed etc?Are there any other people in the household?Is your older dog used to being with you a lot of the time? Are the dogs both boys?Does he have food down all the time or are there set mealtimes?
To put your mind at rest, if your older dog is generally a friendly non aggressive dog he is very unlikely to hurt the puppy.He may well let him know who is boss using body language/noise You mustn't make too much of a fuss of the puppy,let your older dog know he is still no.1, this is important for your older dog and puppy. Pup needs to know older dog is boss. You must let the puppy out for socialisingt,ensure the older dog has a safe 'refuge' he can go where the pup can't follow.You have to let the pup out asap for the sake of both dogs, your puppy needs socialising as much as possible, not in a cage on his own.How old is the puppy?Can help you lots if you can give me some more info. Is your older dog showing any interest in the puppy at all or is he trying to get away?Is he showing any aggression?It's a big disruption to his routine, you have to manage it carefully if they are going to get on, so many people don't realise it's not easy bringing apup into an older dogs' household.Whatever you do let the puppy out at least 20 mns every hour,he isn't learning anything in isolation.Don't panic the older dog will pick up on that and think there really is a problem. I introduced a confirmed cat hater to a cat at the age of 8,they lived in peaceful tolerance of each other, a pup should be alot easier .What does your older dog actually do when faced with pup?Are you holding the pup in your arms and pushing it towards your dog by any chance??More info needed, fire away. I'm a vet nurse with 26 years experience, I specialise in dog behaviour , this can be sorted out no problem ok.

[littlechelle]

thanks for coming back to e. Sotrry I havent been on the internet all day so only just read this. I live with my partner and our 7 year old little girl. My daughter has been careful to play with the older dog more than the pup so that he is not getting jelous. We have been letting the pub out but not really letting him near the older dog, keeping a careful eye on the dog. Last night the dog was showing a little interest in the pub but just keeps running over and taking the pups toys and tunning off with them. The older dog sleeps upstairs with us and we have been careful not to change this so the pup is in the kitchen until he is a bit bigger. My dog has been neutered about 6 months ago. Yes we have been holding the pup in our arms and pushing it towards the dog as he doesn't seem to want to come near of his own accord. The dogs are both boys and we have set mealtimes but have been careful to feed them seperatly so there is no fighting. The dog snapped at the pup earlier. Please help as I am sooo worried and don't know what to do.

[littlechelle]

Sorry forgot to say they are both staffordshire bull terriers

[lankeela]

I think you have answered your own questions. I would not have two male staffs together. If the older dog is being snappy with the puppy now, then I don't hold out much hope for when it grows into an adult, two males of any breed can be a problem, let alone staffs.

[fatmanlevi04]

I don't know, I have two male breeds both rescues mind one a lurcher and one a lakeland both neutered, only lived together 3-4 months now and the newest addition the lakeland has won his heart, they share a bed, clean each other like cats, and even drink out of the same water bowl, they trulay are best buddies x

[LaLa1705]

Hi Chelle sorry its been a while but by now you will know more....any improvements yet? I would be a bit concerned if the older dog isn't accepting the pup, not just because of the dogs but also because you have a young daughter...........staffy males can be territorial and your older dog may want to stay the only dog at his age...didn't realise we were talking about 2 staffies...both males too.....that does make it more complicated......... please let me know how it's going,can def help you more if you need it,really hope things are improving. If your dog snaps but doesn't injure the pup that should sort it out as long as the pup stays submissive to the older dog always....but that's the risk, that the pup accepts the older dog as boss and the older dog doesn't hurt the pup as he dominates him....2 staffies vying for dominance in a home could be a nightmare scenario....you'd have to watch your own body language and actions with the dogs very carefully personally sorry but it wasn't the best idea to get the pup but you probably know that now, could the pup go back where he came from??Please let me know what's happening,have thought of your situation a lot ....

[LaLa1705]

oh fatmanleve pleased to hear bout your dogs, I've read about your old boy who you obviously loved very much so am glad you've got 2 boys in his memory.Your 2 have settled so well as one wasn't in residence for years before hand and they are both fairly playful types of dogs,and both neutered which makes it all a lot easier.I have 5 rescue dogs, 3 girls 2 boys all neutered all introduced at varying times and all types of playful dogs who would accept another easily, I've made sure of that over the years.One of mine is one of my original pack of 4,3 who died in 2000 ,within 3 months of each other I've never got over it but love all my dogs in different ways,just like you. Unfortuately for Chelle a resident male staffy of 7 years faced with a male 'intruder 'as he sees it is a different situation altogether.....put a 7 year old daughter in the situation, who t he older staffy has grown up with and may be protective of...older staffy hasn't. been taught to accept other dogs in house....may not have such a happy outcome.......but let's hope all is calm and peaceful in Chelles' house now,fingers crossed.Hug to your dogs.

[fatmanlevi04]

LaLa1705 what a lovely answer, you made my eyes fill, bless you its people like yourself that make this world a nice and happy place. My place seems pretty tame to yours, one stepson 2 dogs and a kind of husband lol and you have a menageire lol take care x

[littlechelle]

Thanks for all your concerns, thankfully Winston (the older dog) has come round to Henry a bit more now. Winston started sniffing the cage the other week and I noticed that his ears went up and his tail started wagging when I went to open the cage door and so I took a chance and let Henry out for a minute. They were great, running round after each other and sniffing. I'm being careful to keep my eye on Winston to judge his mood but he hasn't even growled at Henry since I let them play together. Winston has even shared his toys and doesn't seem bothered when Henry comes near him. I'm still keeping them apart when I am not around and only letting Henry out with Winston for short periods of time until they get used to each other. All seems well at the moment. My friend has a staff male and brings him round often and her dog and my Winston have always got on great so I never thought twice about having 2 male staffies in the house. I wish I had when I read some of the answers on here but I'm going to keep my fingers crossed that my two will be one of the exceptions to the rule.

My daughter has been brilliant and makes more of a fuss of Winston than Henry as I have told her that Winston will get jealous if she doesn't. I suppose it will get easier when they can go on walks together.

Am I best to get Henry neutered as soon as he is old enough?

Thanks again for all your kind words