New pup

[mrsawhite]

We have just got a new puppy. He is ten weeks. Our existing dog seems to hate him. He won't play. Just snaps at him. And follows him round glaring at him seeing what he is up to. How long does it take for the existing dog to start tolerating or even liking a new pup?

[Sunburntnoseandears]

Without pics op nobody will believe you even have a squishy dpuppy.....

[missbattenburg]

Honestly? Anything up to 2 years - basically until that annoying little puppy becomes a decent adult. Some bond sooner, some adult dogs settle sooner, some puppies become less irritating sooner etc.

Your job between now and then is to make sure that puppy doesn't do anything to permanently damage any potential future relationship. Give the older dog space and attention away from the puppy, keep the puppy from iriitating the older dog etc.

[mrsawhite]

I feel almost guilty now. Our existing little dog was quite happy. But a little nervous of certain situations. And we wondered in a friend would help. But he seems to dislike pup. A lot. Spends a lot of time staring at him. Following him about.

[Sunburntnoseandears]

Tbf he prob thinks his home has been invaded by a grizzly bear cub not a dpuppy!!

[fivedogstofeed]

Existing ddogs seemed to dislike our puppy so much that for up to two weeks I considered returning him :(
Many years on they coexist quite happily though I would never say they were best friends.
On the plus side, dpup grew up with very good dog manners and a lot of respect for older dogs because our first two ddogs were so strict with him.

[fivedogstofeed]

And agree that is clearly a bear....

[mrsawhite]

They are having some awful scraps. Currently not sure whether this is a good idea!

[missbattenburg]

Do not allow them to scrap! Keep them separate unless closely supervised and/or until the puppy has some manners. It's not fair on your older dog to leave him to scrap.

[mrsawhite]

Not a lot we can do. It just happens. We do then split them up. But it's horrible ☹️

[isitsummeryet1]

We had a very content dog, but I couldn't help but think he was lonely when I was at work (I work 4 hours a day). So when he turned 3 we bought another, same breed and sex. He hated him. He started toileting in the house daily even though he hadn't done that since being a pup. It was a nightmare. We're almost a year in, and although the pup can't bare to be without the elder dog (he cries and cries when we're bathing the older one), the older dog still can't stand him. It obviously was a mistake to buy another, but not a decision we can go back on now. We try to make extra fuss of our older dog, but he just looks so sad all the time. The pup still follows him around and he just sulks off. It's really sad to see 😓

[Moondancer73]

Did you introduce them first, before you brought the pup into the house? You can't just being a new pup in and think an existing dog will just accept a new dog in his home. You should have introduced them on neutral ground first then taken them for a walk together to get to know each other. In the meantime, now the pup is there, you need to ensure your existing dog has a space where he can go without the pup following him and being a pest. In his eyes his home has been invaded and his people are being taken away - he's going to be peeved.

[missbattenburg]

Keep them separated if bringing them together results in scrapping.

[StillMedusa]

A Eurasier? Mine's 11 weeks old..and also a little bear.
Join the FB 'Dog Training Advice and Support' group and read all the puppy units... brilliant advice.
I suspect you are going to need to keep them completely apart...baby gates or whatever and let older dog get used to puppy at a distance. Don't let them scrap!

[mrsawhite]

Yes they met beforehand. In a neutral place. We have a behaviourist coming round soon to help.

[BiteyShark]

I would keep the separated as PP have advised.

I always look at these threads and think it would have been less hassle to have provided dog daycare or group walks for doggy company than introducing another puppy if it was really was bought with the intention to keep the older dog company rather than because the owner really wanted multiple dogs. My dog loves other dogs at daycare but I wouldn't assume he would like an 'annoying' puppy in his space at home for hours and days on end.

[Booboostwo]

When they scrap take the adult away, without talk him and place him in time out alone in a room he doesn't usually go into. Leave in there for 3 minutes, then let him out without saying anything. Repeat as necessary. Some dogs get the message with as few as 3 repetitions.

Make sure the dogs each separately, in different rooms ideally, but do train and reward the adult dog around the puppy (place yourself between the two dogs).

[EnidPrunehat]

Unfortunately, getting another dog as a remedy for an issue your existing dog has is rarely a solution. If you have a slightly nervous dog then they are likely to be fairly horrified at an intruder occupying what’s previously been their safe space.

I’ve been through the awfulness of total intolerance and can only emphasise the need to keep them separate if they’re constantly fighting. Hopefully a behaviourist can suggest practical ways to resolve things but that’s a heck of a big pup to deal with if full on fighting gets established.

[mrsawhite]

Slight improvement today! We have been given a crate for when we are not around. Almost starting to play in the garden.

[Ylvamoon]

Honestly, judging by the picture I can understand why your dog is peeved. Talk about cute and cuddly!

[mrsawhite]

Huge improvement in fact today. Playing in the garden like hooligans. Both spark out now. Feel a lot better