Gus had a great Friday and Saturday with Bella. BUT Sunday he kinda took a step back and didn't want her near him. We granted his wishes. He follows her around sometimes and not in a stalking manner but wagging his tail and just seeing what she's up to. We noticed yesterday evening when someone was sitting on the floor with her he would bring one of his toys and play with it right beside her. We weren't sure if he was jealous and wanted to play OR if he was taunting her to see if she would mess with his toy or actually wanting her to play with him. Any info on this would be fantastic and oh yeah you guys have me saying kibble. My wife said what the heck is kibble? I said it's what my buddies say on the lab forum and most are from the UK.
Hi Andrew, I would say your older dog is slowly warming to the puppy and gradually getting used to the idea that he might, one day, actually want to interact and play with her... Just continue to take it slowly, and let him set the pace. I bet they'll be playing together happily in a few weeks.
Sorry for beating a dead horse but... Are there any tricks or things I could do to help the situation? Also it is border line impossible to not say GUS! if he snarls at her.
Honestly, don't force the situation. It was literally months before my two older dogs accepted the new puppy. Keep them separated except when you're supervising, and ensure that those supervised times are wholly positive. With mine, this was cuddle time. I kept the puppy on one side of me giving her tummy rubs or playing a bit of tug while I had the older dog on my other side, lavishing calm attention on them. Only a few minutes at a time; you want to make sure you end on a high. It was eventually during one of these stroking sessions that Shadow first showed signs of wanting to play bitey-face with the puppy. I know what you mean about it being really hard not to snap at the dog if they show unpleasant behaviour towards the puppy, so you have to really try to set it up so those situations don't happen. Some amount of appropriate "telling off" is normal, but if your dog is really unhappy about the puppy being there, I personally wouldn't let him rehearse this behaviour, as it's a sign that he's unhappy. One other thing I found useful was when we were able to get out on walks, having the pup out for a few minutes alongside one of the older dogs. They wouldn't interact, but that was fine; we were just practicing neutral reactions and reinforcing those. With the space of being out (usually on a beach), the older dog didn't feel pressurised into being in the same space as the puppy.
Thank you so much for responding. I kept looking every couple of hours to see if anyone would respond. This is so stressful to say the least. I can't wait till she is 14 weeks so I can walk them and let them swim together. I know if I can make it to then they will hopefully become best buds. Thanks again for the great advice.
I'm sure they will. My older dogs reacted really badly to the puppy - worse than it sounds as if Gus is. I really think they would have hurt her given the chance. For her part, Luna (the pup) was amazing - she never once tried to pester the other dogs, jump on them or anything. Her body language was impeccable. But the older two were awful to her! Being able to get out on the beach certainly helped, I'm sure, but I think some of it was just letting her grow up and turn into more of "a dog" rather than "a strange thing". I brought her home to Andorra (from the UK where I bought her) when she was 17 weeks and it was shortly after that that the real changes happened. We had glimmers earlier, but it was still just once-in-a-while rather than being able to relax and let them out together. Like I say, their reaction was pretty extreme. Shortly afterwards, though, they became best buddies. They play together every day and Luna brings out the joy in Willow and Shadow. Hang in there
I will and yes Gus looks like he wants to eat her at times. Like I believe I said in a previous post. The day we brought her home I was out side with them both and Gus was not even near her. Just like a flash she ran up to him and started trying to suckle on him. That went bad really quick as Gus almost ate her and nipped her ear. Since then we keep them separated 99% of the time except they sleep on the couch together. One at one end and one at the other and we are in between. If he even snarls at her she cries and hides. I feel like thats a normal and good reaction from her that she isn't trying to annoying him. She has been so great so far and she is an excellent sleeper at night. Unlike her brother Gus. My daughter is 16 and she keeps thinking I am being too cautious but she wasn't outside when Gus almost ate her. It was traumatizing to say the least. Thanks again for the responses.
It took 5 months to get my now 11 year old and now 1 year old puppy together last year. The older one has arthritis (diagnosed after we got the puppy) and just wasn’t interested in the puppy. The puppy just wanted to play and was constantly spurned. We had to keep them separate and all interactions were closely monitored/supervised - usually the evening when DH and I could both be with them. We used kongs initially with the puppy being on a lead. Then I got a ruffle snuffle mat which bought them in close proximity but occupied. Then I used to play games like ‘find it’. It was very hard work and I wondered if they would ever get on. Gradually we could extend the time they were together until they were together all day long. Now they are in the same room at night so together 24/7. They have periods of time during the day when they play, times when they lie on the same mat and have their kongs and times when they just sleep in each other’s beds . They have one walk together. I really thought we had made a terrible mistake, I got so upset and exhausted. Yet it was most satisfying watching them accept each other. I love when they come and lie at my feet with their paws crossed over each other’s and when they nuzzle each other gently and sit together waiting in the hall when I get home. I am sure if you are patient and plan your dogs interactions it will all happen - good luck.
UPDATE*** They are starting to get along better and better each day. He wants to play with her but he is so big and rough she gets scared and hides. She is growing like a weed though so it won't be long. Hopefully I can share some pictures soon of them together.
