Hi this is my first post. We have a 4 year old Labrador, who was severely injured about a year and a half ago. He has surgery and his recovery was quite long. His Achilles’ tendon was torn and repaired. He is not back to normal and will not be. He wears a brace when going for walks. We recently got a golden puppy (thinking Oso would be okay after some time healing (nearly a year)). Oso has attacked our puppy (Sybil) a few times and it was dramatic and frightening for pup. There were no serious injuries. Once was around treats (we no longer provide treats when they are in the same room- which is rarely anyway); once was over Sybil’s ball and Oso wanted it -even though he has previously ignored it and she didn’t even have it; and once was completely out of the blue and we have no idea why. As a result, they are kept separate and can be together for brief times only under supervision. Sybil loves him but he sometimes gets stressed when she’s near. I should say, this is improving. But I worry he will attack again. It has already impacted her as she is 5 months old and afraid and timid of every dog in puppy class, though she is the biggest. I have talked with a behaviorist but can not afford the consultation fee at this time. Any thoughts? Thanks.
Managed seperation will keep the peace in the home but isn't really a long term solution. As you have seen there is an impact on the puppy in the way she behaves with other pups. Is your elder dog in oain? Has he been checked by the vet recently? Psin could imoact how he perceives a bouncy puppy. Unfortunately this is a situation which really needs the observation and input of a behaviourist to devise a suitable plan of action to achieve calm acceptance in the home between the dogs and to build on Sybil's confidence. As a trainer behaviourist I would want to see both dogs individually and plan a meeting to see what is going on with body language - something that can not be advised through a forum, it has to be seen.
Jojo, OsoPM has already said that she doesn't have the funds to spend on a behaviourist. I do agree with the suggestion to ensure that Oso isn't experiencing any pain. If he's not on any pain medication it might be worth trying it anyway, to see if that helps. Pain can be a fundamental cause of or a contributor to a range of behavioural issues. OsoPM, you said that you've seen some improvement over time. Can you tell us what has got better? Any increase in friendly interaction between the two dogs? Or are there no signs of friendliness? How is Oso with other dogs? When you say 'attack' - what happened exactly? How are your two if walked together or interacting away from the home environment? To be honest at the moment I'd keep doing what you're doing - keep them mostly separated, with interactions under supervision and minimise joint access to resources that may become the subject of a confrontation. It's not uncommon for an older dog to be very unhappy about the arrival of a new pup. Mostly there aren't 'attacks' but there can be some seriously snarky incidents. In almost all cases this improves considerably over time.
I can't say what's going on with your dogs obviously, because I'm not there, but I can tell you what happened in my case. I brought a puppy into my home environment with two two-and-a-half year dogs. The puppy is a girl; the older dogs are one of each sex, and the boy, Shadow, adores girls, so I thought there would be no issue with him. I wasn't so sure how Willow would respond, but was prepared for pretty much anything. Well, both hated the puppy on sight. I got her at 8 weeks. From the day she arrived, the other two would snarl at her through the wall of the pen. My two lovely dogs were horrible monsters! I have a bit of knowledge of dog behaviour, so I managed it as best I could, but also brought in a canine behaviourist - a very highly recommended one. Because of the credentials of this person, they were booked up, so I had to wait a couple of weeks for an appointment, all the time managing the situation. Well, she arrived and she was lovely and very knowledgable, but I have to be honest, didn't tell me anything I didn't already know. Se said I had great instincts and obviously knew what I was doing. So, three hours, and a considerable amount of money later, I was no farther along than I was in the first place, except I knew that I was on the right lines and had to just give it time. I don't say this to belittle behaviourists in any way; they can be invaluable. But, I also don't think that you're in a hopeless position if you can't afford one. In the case of my puppy, confined spaces were the problem; in the house or in a corner of the garden. When I was able to start taking her out on walks, we didn't have any problems on a beach or in an open field. So, I did that, only with one older dog at a time, as much as I could, but in the house, everything was very carefully managed. Again, I would only have them in the same space with one adult and the puppy, but it was s highly orchestrated; I would be stroking the adult's tummy all the time while I played tug at arm's distance with the pup, that sort of thing. It took two months of this, with the pup basically living in a puppy pen (I spent a lot of time in there with her!), but in the end, we got there. Lots of positive reinforcement for the older dogs while the pup was around to change their emotional response from one of I hate that puppy! to good things happen when that puppy is around! and more tiptoeing around than you can imagine, and we got there. So, my advice would be, as you can't get a behaviourist in to observe, just make every interaction as carefully managed as possible, to ensure that your older dog is always happy and doesn't feel he has to react to the puppy. Don't give him the opportunity to be nasty, but also try to change his point of view so that puppy means he gets more attention, or whatever he finds rewarding. I would be very careful using food or toys because he could become possessive, but tummy rubs may work, or lots of positive attention. You know your own dogs better than anyone. Read up on body language (the Dog Decoder app and the book Calming Signals by Turid Rugaas are worth looking at) and just try to avid any possibility for confrontation. Here's a little blog post I wrote about it a while back: https://thislittledoggy.com/2017/02/27/let-me-introduce/ Good luck, let us know how you get on.
Thank you so much! I know it will take time. Oso has taken medication for his possible pain. Not sure that is working orntime is the factor, maybe Both. Thank you everyone I have been so worried and now feel more assured we are on the right track.
Yes I am not surprised. My story is slightly different to yours but has similarities. I have a 10 year old female Lab. In February we bought home an eight week old female puppy. At the same time the 10 year old went lame (very unfortunate coincidence). She took an instant dislike to the puppy and any interactions were tense and scary as she just wanted ‘out’ and the puppy just wanted to jump all over her and bite her ears. It was very distressing to watch and so they lived separately for virtually 6 months. During this time the older one was diagnosed with arthritis and put on medication which took a little while to sort out the correct doseage. We had to manage all interactions. The puppy went through the crocopup stage and wanted to be very full on with our docile older Lab. We started with keeping them separate during the day and only having them together in the evenings when we could both be with them. Our lives went on hold really but bit by bit they got used to each other. It was a very difficult period. They get on well now and are together all day.
@Oberon without wishing to be rude, and it may surprise some, but I can actually read. I am aware that the OP says she can't afford a behaviourist at the moment, but that doesn't mean it's not in the dogs best interests to receive professional help. I have numerous clients who can't afford my fee but manage to work out a way that I receive my fee and they receive the help they need.
I'd be interested in hearing what the behaviourist suggested when you talked it through, @OsoPM. Do let us know how you get on
Thank you for the lovely blog post and advice. I am trying to implement all of these suggestions. It seems it will be a long road but well worth it. Oso has a vet appt soon and we will review. I know most vets do not know behavior like a professional but it’s a start.
And they are all different. My Tatze is great with the pups indoors, she really adores and ‘mothers’ them. But, out and about, I really have to watch her as she tells them off when she decides they are misbehaving - usually when they go, in her eyes, too far from me (she sticks very close). She can be a bit rough in her telling off, so I put her on the lead when I feel she’s worrying, then all is well again. She’s been the same with every pup, once they reach about eight months she’s fine - she clearly thinks they can look after themselves then .
I have a 4 yr old female lab who has always been terrified of all dogs. It took 5 weeks before she would be in the same room with the new pup ( about same age as yours). She drooled like crazy also. I give treats together but give to older dog first before giving one to the pup so there is no issue there. They are fed meals separately. Of course the pup wants to play with her by biting jowls and ears. I taught him "off" so he will stop doing it. It has taken weeks but they now play together and she will allow him to lay near her. Taking walks together seemed to help even if they were short ones. Teaching pup cues may boost his confidence and getting treats for gradually get near other dogs may help also- that is what we did with the female that is afraid of dogs (she was attacked by another pup at 10 weeks). Hope this helps. Good luck
