Puppy advice

[cbsmokin]

It's always best to introduce new dogs outside of the house or usual yard so that they don't feel like the new dog is a threat to their turf. If you can have them play together a lot in a park or something they will be more accepting of the little guy following them in the door. That's important as well, when you enter the house it needs to be you, then the big dogs, then the little guy. He and they need to know their places. Doing that several times should work things out.

[FrequenC]

I'll agree with the others and say that they will indeed sort it out themselves but by no means should you leave them alone unsupervised. What we tell clients at work who are introducing a new pup to the family is to keep the pup in a different room with a closing door and let them smell each other from under the door. This will prevent any hostility (and danger) that can come with introducing a new animal to the household.

When you are home, have regular supervised sessions with everybody and when the dogs are gentle with or even ignore the pup reward them either with treats or good old fashion praise. It can be tricky sometimes because dogs are pack animals so they can be very stubborn especially if one of them believes they are the alpha dog.

Feel free to PM me if you have any more questions and I'll be glad to help as much as I can.

[RGD.]

While I pretty much agree with what's been stated - I would say that I have never had any adult/existing dog act aggressive towards a new puppy before.

Our neighbor recently got a new Boston Terrier puppy who I introduced to TJ. I held the puppy while kneeling down, called TJ - let him/them smell each other - then placed the puppy down who proceeded to climb all over TJ like any puppy would. TJ just sat there letting him for a few minutes - then they both took off running around the yard playing. That's a normal scenario for any dog that I have had.

So I might be a little cautious of any dog that would nip at a puppy.


Ron

[livwire68]

The visits have been going very well. The little male even tried to get some action. I figured out why the one dog nipped the puppy. She see's him trying to bite me (as puppies tend to try to do) so she nips him as if protecting me. They are getting quite a bit of time together now but the girls seem a bit jumpy/jerky around him when he is trying to play. I guess I dont blame them with his sharp teeth. I went to the thrift store and got a baby gate for his room, the girls still stay at a distance though. Oddly enough the room he picked and is most comfortable in is the lounge. Thanks for the help, all.