Introducing a new dog.

[Tracer]

We unfortunately lost our darling Bunkie a month and a half ago to that cruel disease, cancer.

Although I was reluctant to get a new dog so soon, my daughter was insistent --- and so, we adopted a 3-month-old rescue puppy. Like all puppies, she is a non-stop ball of fire.

The problem? My other dog Rudy. He has always been easy going, mostly indifferent to other dogs, loving, and playful.

He is NOT happy with New Puppy. There have been growls, bared teeth and barking when N.P. prances anywhere near him.

Is this just Rudy's way of telling N.P. to back off or is this going to be a more serious, on-going thing?

Any advice you can give would be much appreciated. I just hope we haven't made a serious mistake.

[Arkansas Granny]

1. Chances are they will get the pecking order established before long. When Rudy has convinced N.P.

who is the boss, things will probably settle down. Since N.P. is so young, this probably won't take long.

[matt819]

2. Our experience

With these situations is that after it's of "leave its" and treats, they sort themselves out.

[samnsara]

3. oh yeah! been thru ths many times....I have added three pups

in the last few years to the pack and every time it has taken my established dogs at least 4 weeks before they would give pup the time of day. Even the sweetest of mine (all Goldens) would turn into Cujo when pup was around. But these were 9 week old pups (a little younger than yours..... and some of them are now the grumpy seniors). They finally started playing with my new pup (now almost 5 mos) only after she grew up a bit. But yours is bigger so maybe wont take so long with yours.

Good luck....make sure the established dogs get a LOT of attention...and give it a few weeks.

Now I have a house full of romping happy dogs.

[Polly Hennessey]

4. They figure it out.

My Golden, Jake, would put his paw on the top of new puppy, Murphy. Murphy got the message. Rudy is just letting puppy know the boundaries. Unbridled enthusiasm can be annoying.

[Doreen]

5. Some may not realize this is important

but when you give attention always give Rudy attention first. Like getting fed first and a snack first and the leash put on first.

The older Rudy is the longer it takes to get used to the puppy as they can be annoying. You might hear a yip or two from the puppy if Rudy nips but I really doubt he will do a full fledged attack particularly if he gets along with other dogs most of the time.

Once the puppy is put into place they will start developing their relationship and things will be fine.

[Tracer]

6. Thanks for the encouragement!

I have been giving Rudy more pats and attention. thanks for the reminder.

I also was worried that Rudy would actually attack N.P., but the story about "Cujo" (a Golden!!!) was a little comforting.

N.P. actually gave Rudy a "submission" pose this morning, so that was good.

Here's a photo of the little terror (formally now known as "Berry". She came from Alabama, so we looked up town names there, and landed on Berry.)

[IMG][/IMG]

[Rhiannon12866]

9. Awwww! What a little cutie!

And puppies can be a handful, but it sure helps that they're so adorable. And it's also helpful that they're of opposite genders. I asked my vet when I adopted a second dog and he said that was the best combination - and he was right, the little guy cuddled up to my older dog on the very first night and she enjoyed having a little follower. It also helped that I had them initially meet on neutral ground. I got that advice from my friend in dog rescue.

[procon]

7. Pack behavior rules dogs.

In your household pack, YOU, the boss human, must be the dominate alpha leader and never relinquish your rights to the most aggressive dog. Your dogs are simply jockeying for position, this is normal, and your old dog is making his move to claim the dominant role, but he's also undercutting your place as the top alpha leader. Don't allow this.

Reclaim your authority. As the big boss of your pack, you set the law, and your furry minions do not get to usurp your authority, not ever. Immediately correct inappropriate behaviors, and be just as quick to reward and praise good behavior. Look for more ways to create those positive responses you can reward, rather than just correct bad behaviors.

I like to stage the set, so to speak, and throughout the day I'll try to provoke a good response from the dogs so I can lavish them with attention to reinforce the manners that I want. Be quick, be consistent with your words, tone of voice and posture, just like the alpha leader would, and dogs will learn what you want very quickly.

[shenmue]

8. Awww