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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

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Original poster

15 week old puppy attacking 9 week old puppy

64 replies

CadburyChocolateCrunchie · 04/09/2016 08:04

Good morning,

I have a 15 week old Shih Tzu and yesterday I brought home a 9 week old Shih Tzu as a playmate. I know that a lot of people will say you shouldn't have two puppies at the same time, but I weighed up the pro's and con's of having another puppy and decided to go for it. I went into this fully expecting and knowing that it is going to be incredibly hard work until both dogs are older.

The older one absolutely loves other dogs, plays with them in the park off lead, gets excited when he sees other dogs etc. So I wasn't expecting the reaction that I've had from him towards the new puppy.

He ignored her to begin with and then started trying to play with her (all she wants to do is sleep!) and now he is constantly trying to bite her. I don't think he's being vicious, probably just trying to play.

How can I help him to learn that biting is not acceptable? I live in a bungalow and have got a stair gate between the lounge and the hall, so one side there is the lounge and kitchen and the other side is the hall, bedroom and bathroom. I've been shutting the bathroom and bedroom doors and every time he bites, putting him the otherside of the gate from me and the younger puppy so he is just in the hall. But he barks and cries and gets destructive.

I am prepared to do anything (other than rehome the little one!) to help him to accept her.

OP posts:

DixieNormas · 04/09/2016 20:47

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Houseconfusion · 04/09/2016 21:00

You absolutely deserve any names being called. Every single person is pointing out to you what an utter fool twat you have been and yet you do not see it??!

Houseconfusion · 04/09/2016 21:01

Your sodding uninformed stupid ego. Fucking stupid decision. Poor poor puppies.

CreepingDogFart · 04/09/2016 21:28

What I find concerning is that if OP has got this so wrong with the puppies, what else has been done incorrectly? A real welfare issue.

tabulahrasa · 04/09/2016 21:37

OP, some people have been a bit blunt...

But, in all honesty - if you're struggling to manage a very predictable, normal puppy behaviour, how are you going to cope with the extra work, training and socialisation that you need to put in with two puppies?

Bearing in mind that 2 puppies is something that even the most experienced trainers are reluctant to take on because it is so very challenging to raise them to be well adjusted adult dogs...

Cherryskypie · 04/09/2016 21:40

Yes, it wasn't a great decision but it's actually a very easy one to fix. It was a bad choice but that doesn't make them a bad person.

The OP said they brought home the 9 week old yesterday. It would be very easy to responsibly rehome the younger pup to a home with a friendly, older dog to overcome any seeds of fear that may have been planted. With a variety of dogs to meet out on walks, hopefully the experience won't have any lasting impact on the behaviour of the older pup. It needs to be done quickly but it's very much at the easily salvageable stage. It doesn't have to end badly.

The longer the situation goes on the higher the chances of lasting behavioural problems with one or both dogs and that would be a terrible shame.

Returning a pup would be heartbreaking but sometimes we have to make decisions that break our hearts because our dogs rely on us to put their interests before our own.

serialtester · 04/09/2016 21:50

I think the OP has made a genuine mistake. OP you can't keep the younger puppy. It's not fair on either dog and it won't end well for reasons better explained by previous posters.

Thattimeofyearagain · 04/09/2016 21:57

Your a cruel, selfish git. No one in their right mind would advise this. I'm gobsmacked the 2nd breeder sold to you under there circumstances, unless you lied to them. You should be ashamed.

Iliveinalighthousewiththeghost · 04/09/2016 22:14

Bit harsh. Isnt it, Thattime . She made an error of judgement. It hardly qualifies as being cruel.

CreepingDogFart · 04/09/2016 22:19

Ilivein actually it is cruel because the dogs' welfare is not the priority here.

Anarchyinateacup · 04/09/2016 22:31

It is cruel as she intends on keeping the puppy and with a toddler how much free time is she realistically going to have to train. Socialise and potentially involve a behaviourist to help these dogs.

giraffesCantReachTheirToes · 04/09/2016 22:40

you can't keep the younger puppy

Thattimeofyearagain · 04/09/2016 22:49

It is cruel as it impacts on the quality of life for both dogs .

user1471446348 · 04/09/2016 22:53

We did something similar. We got our first puppy who is a springer and then about 11 weeks later we got a French Bulldog. They are both females. Puppies are really hard work, our dogs are 3 now and love each other to bits and are generally very easy as long as exercised plenty each day. They still wrestle with each other but not like they did as puppies as that was pretty much all they did for a year or more. We do quite a lot of obedience and agility training with the springer so they do spend time apart, the French Bulldog finds this difficult though as she is very attached. I think we have been lucky with their personalities and I am really pleased that we got them both. I would keep the little one out of the way for the majority of the time until she is stronger and concentrate on training the older dog to listen to you. Also get a create, they are a god send and give the dogs a place to calm down and have some space and somewhere safe for them to go when your not supervising. We used our create all the time in the early days. Sorry this is so long! The last thing I would say is with two it's even more important to treat them like dogs not babies, set the rules for them and use the create. Good luck!

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