May 18, 2011
We have a 12 year old cocker and just got a puppy. The pup is terrorizing the older dog. What should we do?
Full Question:
We recently purchased a 5 month old, German Shepherd of German and Dutch breeding. She is a pleasant puppy and quite active. We already had a 12 year old Cocker Spaniel who also has a very pleasant and now placid personality. We have had the shepherd for 3 weeks. During this time we have allowed the dogs to sniff each other through a gate, but have not allowed them to be free together. Our few attempts to introduce the dogs without the gate; have resulted in the following: the shepherd eagerly approaches the spaniel and wants to play, jumping on her excitedly. The spaniel (who could walk under the shepherd) doesn't want any part of this play, and will growl at her and snip. When the shepherd is more subdued (later in the day), the two dogs are content to be in the same room (we keep a leash on the Shepherd in case she decides to get frisky). Do you think that this will improve with time? I am hopeful that they will get along, because neither dog growls, sneers or otherwise acts aggressively toward the other unless the Shepherd jumps on the aging spaniel. Do you think that we will have to wait until the shepherd outgrows the "puppy stage" at 18 months or so?Cindy
Ed's Answer:
This is a very common problem with people who own old dogs and get puppies. I ALWAYS defer to the old dog. I like old dogs.
It is your responsibility to protect the older dog from the abuse of a pup. Just as it would be your responsibility to protect a 3 or 4 year old child from the abuse of a new pup. This starts with obedience training and a prong collar. There is no reason that a pup can not learn the meaning of the word NO. I have written an article about this on my web site. The list of training articles on my website. I would strongly recommend my Basic Dog Obedience video. This pup needs to learn some manners and there is no better way to do this than to obedience train it.
I hope this helps. You owe your old dog the ability to live her last days in peace and quiet, not in a living arrangement where she is always worried about being jumped on and bit.
It is your responsibility to protect the older dog from the abuse of a pup. Just as it would be your responsibility to protect a 3 or 4 year old child from the abuse of a new pup. This starts with obedience training and a prong collar. There is no reason that a pup can not learn the meaning of the word NO. I have written an article about this on my web site. The list of training articles on my website. I would strongly recommend my Basic Dog Obedience video. This pup needs to learn some manners and there is no better way to do this than to obedience train it.
I hope this helps. You owe your old dog the ability to live her last days in peace and quiet, not in a living arrangement where she is always worried about being jumped on and bit.
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