Sigh.... advice please....

[CalamityKate]

Friend has just bought a puppy. Brought it home today.

She already has a small XBreed - Dachshund/Cairn. This dog isn't well socialised with other dogs. When we take her out with my dogs, it spends its whole time yapping hysterically at mine, but not going too near them. They ignore her unless she barks particularly loudly too close to Junior dog's ear, whereby Junior Dog drives her off in a "FFS SHUT UP" way. Small dog then throws herself on the ground, shrieking. Junior Dog then takes herself away, and Small dog recommences yapping at her.

Small dog yapped hysterically at New Puppy, then attacked it. Really attacked it. No injuries, but only because she was pulled off in time. She would have killed it. Predicably for a Terrier type, the squealing of Puppy only excited her more.

Any advice on integrating them? Will Small Dog come to accept Puppy? I've suggested a crate for Pup, for obvious management reasons and also so that Small Dog can get used to Puppy without being able to damage it.

Both bitches.

Umm depends on a lot of things typically vague here!

It is early days but that is quite a full on reaction from the older bitch.

I would separate the two but let them see each other, so use puppy gates etc. Whenever the puppy is around the older dog needs to have loads of positive association so probably yummy treats. Puppy = yummy treats.

I would give the older dog time away but not too much as each time he sees the puppy he will probably kick off again.

See what happens in a few days but if things do not change they may have to reconsider their two dog home. However often a difficult start does not affect the dogs relationship long term although it does sound as if the original dog has issues that really ought to be treated before introducing a new dog. These concerns could easily be passed onto pup and they end up with two uptight dogs to look after.

Thanks Minimu. That's pretty much the advice I gave her - puppy = treats, separate but let them see each other etc. Heartening to know you agree.

The older dog would DEFINITELY have killed the pup - it was me who pulled her off and she was NOT messing about. It was not a case of "Loads of noise but no real intent to harm".

A friend of mine has a dog who hates puppies. He is incredibly well socialised (she has 4 or 5 dogs and they all compete in agility/obedience, and she also does a fair bit of media work with them) and fine with all other dogs - just not puppies. She has to keep them separated every time she gets a new pup, until he accepts them. Once he has, he's fine - he just hates puppies with a vengeance.

But the dog in the OP is obv a different kettle of fish and TBH I'm doubtful whether it will work out. I hope it does, but....

I've ordered her a crate online and with a bit of luck it won't take too long to arrive.

Thanks again x

Oh God. Must stop thinking about Poor Little Puppy. If it doesn't work out, I cannot possibly have it. DP would never go for it....

... it's absolutely bloody adorable though, and it IS an ideal size for DS2 to handle, and he DOES want his own dog to train and come to shows with me with... and I am desperate for a small dog that can sit on my lap without squishing me...

aaargh don't even think it once that thought gets in your head about a puppy it doesn't go till you get one!

LOL I just said to Boo - who had got fed up with me being on the PC and wormed her way onto my lap which she's FAR too big for - "YOU would have been nice to the puppy, wouldn't you? Yes, 'oo would, 'cos you're a NICE doggie who would be NICE to ickle puppies" whilst casting sidelong glances at DP, and DP looked at me levelly and said "I know what you're trying to do and no, we are NOT having it"

Bugger. Foiled again.

keeping working on it - never say never DP can always have their minds changed for them!

Hmm.... given that if it were up to him we wouldn't have any dogs at all, I think getting #3 would be pushing it!

As for my friend - a crate is on order. Apparently Senior Dog is getting SORT of quieter, and they've been giving her nice sweeties when Puppy is around. Fingers crossed.