Introducing a new dog?

Question

My sister recently adopted a pitbull puppy (my family has raised pitbulls previously), and it is very well trained and friendly to everyone it meets, pets or people. However, the two other dogs in our house (a miniature schnauzer, 13, and a maltese-mix, 4.5) do not like it very much, particularily the maltese-mix.

It is very frightened by the puppy's attempts to play and scared of the puppy in general. It occasionally snaps at it or barks and growls. What can I do to help my old dogs and my new dog get along?

Answer 1

Usually they'll settle it out themselves. The pup needs to learn when he can/cannot approach the other dog and when play is accepted. My own dog gets all crazy over seeing other dogs and wants to play.

So I introduced her to my friends pit/lab mix in my yard - it took 15 minutes for her to settle down. In those 15 minutes i controlled when she got to go say hello (when she was calmer) and towards the end we dropped leashes and let the dogs settle it.

He growled at her ONCE for pouncing and after than she kept all four paws on the ground. Except when she kissed up to him and would roll onto her back. They were best friends after that.

As long as there is no serious growling and snapping, i would just keep an eye on them. Don't let the pup overwhelm the smaller dog(s) but also let the smaller dog(s) set the rules. I would NOT leave them alone together.

Answer 2

New puppies need a quiet place to rest both during the day and at night. Although they have short bursts of energy, they need a lot of sleep. Unfortunately, puppies that are not given a quiet place to rest will almost always annoy an older dog. Puppies chew the older dog’s neck and bite their ears; consequently the older dog gets fed up. Perhaps at the outset, your older dog give the puppy a mild ticking off and you told the older dog that he was naughty, consequently the puppy now thinks that he can do what he likes. Unfortunately the older dog thinks that he has no defence.

How would you like a toddler poking your eyes, pulling your hair and jumping all over you?  I am sure that you would object. I think that you are expecting your dog to baby-sit twenty four hours a day, it’s not on. If in addition to this, you became worried about a mild rebuke from your older dog; your dog must feel confused.

I know that some of the answerers will tell you that they will sort themselves out, however it’s not fair. Let them play for a short time UNDER SUPERVISION, then when the puppy gets rough distract it and play with them. Afterwards, put the puppy to bed and give your older dog some peace. Give your older dogs extra attention and fun when the puppy is asleep. If your puppy is having four meals a day, you should also feed your older dog four meals a day. This will ensure that he does not feel left out of things; he needs extra love and attention.

Answer 3

First we need to determine if this is aggressive, or if this is dominant behavior your older dogs are displaying.  This will determine how to handle this situation.

When introducing a new puppy, it is normal practice to establish rank within the pack.  Pay attention to how the older dogs are standing when they growl or bark.  If they are standing over the puppy, chances are they are trying to establish dominance, aka, an alpha dog.  This would typically result in the puppy being submissive.  Does the puppy lay down, ears back?  This would mean the puppy is accepting that the older dogs are "over" her in the pack.  If this is the case, this behavior will eventually let up and everyone will know their place.

HOWEVER--if there is true fear that these dogs simply do not like each other, and one may be hurt, this needs to be addressed.  If it is over human attention, the best way to deture this behavior is to walk away and show no attention.  Show them that this behavior will not be rewarded with ANY attention, negative or positive.

If it is arguing over a bone, or just to argue itself, immediately stop this behavior and seperate the dogs to different rooms.

Good luck!  And sometimes dogs just don't get along....time will tell...

Answer 4

Your older dogs have been in the household for a long time and they deserve to be respected by the puppy.  You can begin by correcting the puppy very strongly with the puppy snaps or growls but do not correct the old dogs for doing this.  When the older dogs snap and growl at the puppy, they are teach the pup doggy manners.  It is the way of dogs.  Control the overall exuberance of the puppy when it begins to play too hard with the older dogs, but your older dogs will not hurt the pup and if you let them train the pup in the proper manners, the group will become a family group before too long.

Answer 5

first you need to be the pack leader..

Tell your older dog it is not ok for him to snap, or growl at the new pup.

If you need some good advice watch The dog Whisperer on national g. monday to friday 4pm central.

Answer 6

Not much I can add to ArcticIce's answer.  She has it exactly right.  The Dog Whisperer is a great show and I have learned a lot about myself and my dogs by watching it and following his recommendations.  Good luck.