Help!

[Tulips01]

I hope someone can help me - I’m at the end of my tether! After losing my precious baby last year I got a new pup 3 weeks ago and my older dog hates him. She’s growling and lunging at him. I knew she wouldn’t play with him but I thought they would be friends eventually but after 3 weeks the situation isn’t improving - it actually seems to be getting worse. She lunged at him this morning for no apparent reason - he wasn’t near her and was minding his own business. I’ve tried to get her to associate him with getting treats, petting her and then stopping when she starts growling. When he toilets outside he gets a treat and so does she. I’m scared one of them will get hurt.

How did you introduce them? Does your older dog have plenty of space away from the puppy so she can escape whenever she wants?

@fairylightsandwaxmelts

How did you introduce them? Does your older dog have plenty of space away from the puppy so she can escape whenever she wants?

I started off by introducing them badly - the pup was in his playpen in the kitchen. The older dog has time away from him but I’ve only got a small house. She sleeps with me at night and the pup is in the playpen in the kitchen. I’m trying to make a big fuss of her with extra chicken as a treat. He doesn’t really want to play with her - I think he has got the message to stay away from her.

How old is the older dog? normally trainers say introduce them on neutral ground,park, friends house. We had 2 border collies, got a toy. My vet said put them together as soon as you get the puppy home. It was way gone midnight,after nearly 200 miles drive. One died suddenly at 12 cancer, the toy was her best friend. The other one growled everytime he walked past, for years, nothing else and he took no notice. I think you need a behaviourist to sort this one out. Good luck

Hi, I agree that this sounds like you really need the support of a behaviourist who can come out to your home and help with this. I recommend APBC or CCAB certified behaviourists.
There's currently no governing body regulating behaviourists which means anyone can call themselves a behaviourist and often cheaper behaviourists are not well educated on dog behaviour and give terrible advice which can make matters worse. Definitely worth going for someone with either and APBC or CCAB qualification who will have studied animal behaviour for years.
Best of luck.