Three weeks ago we adopted an eight week old Lab/Mix puppy (Lexi) into our home. We already had a 5 1/2 year Lab Mix (Piper)that we also adopted. Both female. The first few days Piper seemed a little upset to be sharing her home and family with another animal, but we over compensated on attention towards her in hopes that she would realize that just because we have a new baby around, we didn't love her any less. It seemed to work. She started playing with Lexi, sharing her food, not being possesive with her toys (a problem we have had with her in the past with humans a couple times). Today however, I was bringing my daughter to school, the dogs come just about every where with me, I was standing next to the van watching my daughter walk into the school when I heard Piper attack and Lexi screaming. Piper backed off immediately when I opened the door and Lexi was still screaming and scrambled away to hide. I got to her and her eye was bloody and she was shaking like a leaf. After calming her down and cleaning her up, it appears to be just a scratch on the outside of her eye. THANK GOD! I repremanded Piper immediately and explained to her that this is unacceptable behavior. I know is sounds crazy to "explain" things to a dog, but it really seems like she knows what we are saying. Either way, she knew she was wrong and after we got home, she "apologized" to the puppy and I. We also have three small children that Piper has never been aggressive with. My dilhema, question or need for advice is, how can we make sure this doesn't happen again, EVER? 9 times out of 10 Piper allows the puppy to eat and drink from the same bowl, share toys and co-exist beautifully, but every once in a while, she'll show an aggressive side that makes us nervous. This CANNOT happen with the children. Any suggestions?

stop letting them "share" things. get control of the toys, start using a crate. Ed has some articles on introducing a new dog/ pup into your family pack. When I got my new pup she was segregated away from the other adult dogs using a kennel and crates until she got about eight months. I STILL feed them seperate, and keep a close eye on toys. I make sure there is a raw hides chew for each dog and when I treat they must sit or platz so they don't feel they need to compete with each other.

I do keep Lexi crated at night and if we do leave the house without her. She is also confined to the kitchen when we are not able to be "active" with her. Piper has full run of the house (except the kitchen when Lexi is sectioned off).

Thank you guys for your honest thoughts. I am open to any suggestions, criticism, guidance, etc. I figured that I/We (my husband and I) were to blame for Piper's agression, but didn't know how. I suppose we are not being hard enough on her, assuming that kindness would get the point across. We do raise our voices at them and tell them both "NO" if they are doing something we wont tolerate. They seem to listen to it and act "sorry". We've always treated our animals as if they were equals. Part of the family. From the sound of it, we might have better luck treating them like animals. I have been through this site so many times for so many questions and yes, there is so much to read it is overwhelming.

Again, I appreciate your honesty and welcome any other ideas you may have.

Here's a good link for you...

http://www.leerburg.com/introducingdogs.htm

 Quote: christine cole

...I suppose we are not being hard enough on her, assuming that kindness would get the point across. We do raise our voices at them and tell them both "NO" if they are doing something we wont tolerate. They seem to listen to it and act "sorry". We've always treated our animals as if they were equals. ....

I hope you will re-read both posts from Dennis.

They are not "sorry." They are not hearing "explanations." They do not speak English. The dog did not "apologize" to your puppy.

As a very well-known behaviorist says, 'They are not "less than" human. They are just NOT HUMAN.'

Expecting them to be, and treating them as if they were, doesn't make it so.

It's your responsibility not to leave them together or leave toys around for fighting over, and your responsibility to protect your dogs.

Please re-read those excellent answers and the article you were linked to ---- and please get both dogs their own food and water dishes immediately.

You can do this! You came to the right place.

 Quote: christine cole

I know is sounds crazy to "explain" things to a dog, but it really seems like she knows what we are saying. Either way, she knew she was wrong and after we got home, she "apologized" to the puppy and I. Any suggestions?

Your older female did not such apology she simply moved on and was happy to see the both of you,hardly an apology.A dog only apologize when you correct him and he yelps.Now he is "apologizing"
You got great advise , follow those advises and you'll be fine.
Keep in touch...
http://s141.photobucket.com/albums/r77/cadogancna/

"Sorry" is not guilt; it's fear due to your obvious disapproval. Just because they display this, do not think that they know what the heck the problem is/was. It's an easy trap to fall into. Also, do not be crushed if you can never leave these two alone; most here do not ever leave dogs alone unsupervised. They will try to work out order themselves, and the results may not be pretty.

You've been given good advice; don't be discouraged, but be realistic in your expectations.

Christine,


Please keep this dogs seperated for the time being and reintroduce them when the pup is a bit older on neutral territory. I hope your older dog is spayed because a females heat cycle can cause them to act differently. I had the same thing happen between 2 female shepherds, now they have been separated for about 8 months. I may try to reintroduce them when the pup is 1.5 years old.

Start training each dog separately, to establish bond and leadership with both dogs. Ed has two videos that may interest you, the obedience training and the one for aggressive dogs. If you don't re-establish leadership with the older dog you probably won't with the pup either. Remember sit means sit, not sit for now until you get bored and want to do something else : )

Kimberly

Thanks everyone for all your advice. Boy have my eyes been opened! We have a lot of work ahead of us.

Candi, thanks for that article you referred me to. Very good reading and very educational for me.

Sounds like Piper has been playing us for a fool with her "Sorry" behavior. I admit, I am a dumb human!! I need to work on this!

Is seperating the dogs competely necessary? I have taken Lexi out of the house seperatly and she cries missing Piper. When they are together (except for this morning) they play together very well. They love tug of war and Piper is very gentle with Lexi when I know she could drag her around easily. They mouth each other and I know Piper could hurt her if she wanted to, but she never closes her mouth on Lexi (again, not until this morning). Piper does have a means of escape when over stimulated as she is allowed upstairs and Lexi is not. She uses this escape when the kids are overwhelming her also. Is it possible that we only let them together being supervised?

Another question on training.....I have been working with Lexi every day, correcting as needed....How much "Organized Training" a day is enough? I tell her "NO" when doing something incorrect, and she stops. She is already learning the sit and stay commands. We are working on "Come" every time instead of when she wants to. She is praised for EVERY good thing she does and for good behavior.

I have had a dog for 5 1/2 years and I feel like I am learning all over again. I so appreciate everyone's help and advice. I hope I can do everyone proud and become a good Pack Leader!