New puppy problem

[Bayeight]

So, we may have made a bit of a mistake. But I would really like to make this work so asking for any advice.

We have 6 month old pup. Beautifully mannered and trained, lovely temperament. All going really well. Decided we wanted to add a second dog to the family sooner rather than later.

Brought home 8 week old girl yesterday. Same breed but different breeder. Labradors.

The new pup seems to absolutely hate our older dog.

All the advice I can find on the internet is the reverse, the older dog struggling with the new puppy.

But our big girl is delighted with her new friend. She’s desperate to play and interact. But every time she tries, the little one properly growls, snarls, bares her teeth and snaps at her. It does not look like good natured, puppy play.

Otherwise, new little one is a total delight. I think she is scared of our older pup. Who genuinely hasn’t given her any reason to feel that way.

We’re trying to do as much positive interaction as possible and minimise reasons for little one to feel worried.

Anyone any idea if this is likely to sort itself out? Or are we going to have to speak to the breeder about potentially returning her?

It has been a very stressful 24hrs and feeling rather sick that we’ve messed everything up.

Thanks in advance

I'm no expert, but has your younger puppy had a chance to decompress before being thrown into the deep end with your older pup?

Think of it this way. She's been taken away from her mum and siblings, introduced to strangers (you and your family), driven to a new house in a new car with new smells, put into a strange house and is expected to get on with a strange older dog who she's never met before - all in 24h.

That's a lot for her to take in. I would split them up completely for now and give your youngest puppy a chance to just settle into her new home. Let her become accustomed to you, your smell, your home, the new routine, her new bed etc, and let her smell your existing dog from behind a door or baby gate for now.

Once little pup is settled, you can move onto (very slow, managed) introductions with lots of praise and positive reinforcement for both dogs.

I’d say the problem is two females.

@GoodnightGrandma

I’d say the problem is two females.

I'd missed this.

Yes, this could very well be an issue. Bitches can (and do) fight to the death.

A 6 month old and an 8 week old?

This is not bitches fighting. This is a small baby being asked to socialise with a strange teenager in a brand new home. She's very young and overwhelmed and the 6 month old is likely far too boisterous for her at this age and within 24 hours of coming home.

Let this baby have the space to be calm and settle in. Don't expect them to play together for a while yet - they are at very different stages.

And prepare for very tough times ahead. A 6 month old dog has yet to go through the behaviourally really tricky period and you're going to have to deal with that and a small puppy at a different stage with different training needs.

I do not envy you at all with that challenge. Sorry, OP.

I've always had 2 dogs, usually a dog and a bitch.we did this the classic you aren't meant to,2 bitches,both border collies,6 months apart and it worked out absolutely fine. We did try rescue centers,but my DH had only had one (bitch) 18 years. Said we had to have a male,we bought the first at 8 weeks,the second was free 6 months later also 8 weeks. We then got a 3rd dog a few years down the line,a toy 11 weeks old. My vet said get them together as soon as you get home. We driven well over 100 miles,1am, I am in the lounge, everyone else gone to bed, shattered. The older one became his bestie,he curled up with her. The other growled,but nothing else for years everytime he walked past her,he took no notice. He went to pieces when his bestie suddenly died at 12. Second one was 17,he got separation syndrome. We got a border collie puppy,best mates

Did the breeder know you have a 6 month puppy at home?

This is not bitches fighting.

No, not yet, but two females can easily problematic - especially as the older one will be full of hormones and about to hit the teenage phase!

I think it’s too small an age gap, I would want about two years at least so the older dog is more settled and predictable. Two puppies months apart is not ideal, I’m surprised the breeder sold you the younger one

It's early days but I'd been keeping them totally separate and not letting them mix except for very short periods of supervised time. You've basically got two puppies to deal with. Whilst you want them to get on what you don't want to happen is for them to fixate on each other and have a case of littermate syndrome (even though they aren't from the same litter). You've got a potential massive issue on your hands. As always I'd recommend dog training advice and support on Facebook.

Did the breeder think it was a good idea to introduce a new puppy to a six month old? How did they advise doing it?

Bit of a daft idea really.
2 females with a 4 month age gap is a recipe for trouble , as other people have said did the breeder know?

I think your yoynger puppy is overwhelmed. You need to separate them and let the baby explore the new home , get to know all the smells, show the bed, toy (have a 1:1play) and toilet area ... after a few hours slowly reintroduce them to each other carefully. Do this for small amounts of time until they are more comfortable with each other. I would do this over a few days. You need a 2nd adult so each of you can supervise and care for one puppy.

Good luck, it isn't bitches fighting, you can successfully keep 2 girls as long as you have the time and patience to nuture their relationship. You also need to take them out on separate walks (once pup is vaccinated) , training class and so on.
You just doubed your puppy workload but with 100% commitment you will have 2 lovely dogs.