New puppy settling with older dog.

[AliceInCovidland]

Hi, I'm just looking for some advice and reassurance really.

We have a 7 year old female dachshund Cross and have just added another dachshund to the family, hes been here a week and is now 11 weeks.

The first 2-3 days our older dog mainly ignored him, I expected this and believe thats a good thing? Then for the last 3 days the pup and our older dog have started to play together, they've played beautifully and give each other space when they've had enough.

Our older girl is fantastic, really good with pups, tells him off when it's needed and he does listen to her (but sometimes throws a puppy tantrum?!)

Today I gave our girl a treat and the pup was trying to get it and she really told him off but he wouldn't listen he was going crazy so I stepped in, and made him back off. He did have his own treat but he didn't want it.

Should I have stepped in? I remember when our older dog was a pup she went through a phase with getting snappy around food but we got her out of it, she is perfect in every way now(I might be biased ).

I know its normal for dogs to tell puppies off, but if hes not listening, do I need to step in and reinforce what our older dog is telling him? Or is that just making the situation worse in the long run?

I am sorry if I sound clueless, I have never owned a pup alongside an older dog before and really want to get things right.

I remember the puppy stage well and know that with training, everything works out in the end so I'm not panicking (yet ).

I personally think you did the right thing! I would have done the same.

My dog originally lived with another dog (in his first home). His owner never intervened when he ignored the existing dog’s corrections, and it resulted in my dog basically terrorising the existing dog at every opportunity. Which led to him being adopted by me.

I think it’s great to give dogs the opportunity to communicate, but if one is not listening, you’re still their guide/owner/leader, so it’s your job to step in. At least that’s my opinion. :)

Personally I would be feeding and treating them separately for a good while yet if that's how your older one is behaving.

She's making it crystal clear she doesn't want to share food with the puppy and I'd worry that it may go from a "telling off" to an actual bite, which I've seen happen in the past.

Has she ever displayed resource guarding symptoms before?

If he's getting over the top and silly (especially around food) you separate them (different rooms). Your girl sounds very tolerant but she'll reach the end of her tether eventually.

Your pup will learn quickly though. This is a relatively short lived stage and they do calm down.

She did resource guard for a short time when she was a pup herself, but hasn't since then. She is in regular contact with 2 adult springer spaniels, a variety of adults and my 3 year old child and she doesn't guard a single thing.

So I do think its the puppy who is getting silly like @BrushFlossSmile says. I will separate them for treats and food for the moment until the pup has calmed down.

Thank you for thr advice

I think that's a good idea

Once they've established more of a relationship you can start introducing food around each other again.