My Lab acts like she's trying to kill new puppy?

Question

I have a Choc lab that is almost 2 years old. She is VERY attached to me. Follows me everywhere. If we go down stairs she will stop and wait to see if I'm coming.

I wanted another puppy for her to play with and for all of us in general.

But Sadie (the lab( is mean mean....grabs him around the neck until he screams and will pick him up by the scruff of his neck and trys to shake him. Will I have to find (max) a new home? Max is an 8 week old boxer/mastiff.

Answer 1

...no you don't have to find him a new home, but Sadie needs to go through obedience training...I'm guessing she wasn't socialized as a puppy (taken around other dogs)...just like if a child has no social interaction when they are young then when they start school they will fight with the other kids, be jealous,etc.  Talk to your vet about the behavior, they can give you at home training techniques to break the bad habit before she hurts the little guy.

Answer 2

It's fair to say to keep them separated when you are not at home.  Do not let Sadie shake the puppy by the neck!  It can cause severe damage.  Keep Sadie and the puppy apart if she continues this behaviour.  She needs to know that this is not appropriate behaviour.  She can learn thru your training that you do not like her to be mean to the new pup. Take her separately for walks, spend quality time with her without the pup.  And most of all, do not let her continue  the aggression.  In no time they will be playing and being just great friends.

Time and training will take care of this problem and you will have two great dogs to love!

Answer 3

wow!! You need to train Sadie that she is not the boss and she can't go around bullying Max. Everytime she does it, tell her "NO!" and ignore her for a short period of time. She won't get your attenion and she will know that trying to hurt the puppy is bad. They are both competing for your love and attenion, so make sure to treat them equally.

Answer 4

Don't give Max a new home. You will teach Sadie that she can get what she wants by bullying. I'm not sure what to do though. For my dogs its usually the little one that tries to bully good luck.

Answer 5

I don't think you should find him a new home just yet, but monitor them when they're together. Scold Sadie whenever she does this, and make sure you intervene immediately. Sadie is most likely trying to make it clear that she's higher on the pack than the new pup, and some dogs do this violently. This could be bad! Or Sadie might just be scared of losing you, if you are paying much more attention to the new dog. Some people don't believe dogs get jealous, but I sure do!

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