[Guest]

We have a 3year old female Gracie and a (surprise Christmas gift from my son) 8 week old female, Madeline (Maddie). Because of the surprise all usual protocal for introductions were not followed. I'm not sure what to do now. Gracie may or may not hate the puppy. Sometimes she plays with her and lets her rub against her. Mostly she growls low from her throat. Occasionally she snarls and shows her teeth. She hasn't bitten or hurt Maddie, she allows Maddie to eat from her bowl and will release a toy immediately if Maddie tries to take it from her. Will she adjust? I'm afraid to take my eyes off of them because at 114 pounds Gracie could do some real damage to a 10 pound pup.
Does anyone have any advise?

 

[LapDog]

...I don't know maybe she is just being a mommy dog....I don't see why should wouldn't adjust...what do you all think? I don't know...since Maddie is just a little puppy...Gracie might just be showing her the ropes...and putting her in place...Duchess loves puppies...its too bad she will never have any...she'd make a great mom...she likes to lick ears...and eyes...but Im sure there would be ups and downs then too...What does everyone else think guys!?

 

[Kratty]

Here's a link for having a second dog. http://www.uwsp.edu/psych/dog/lib-prob.htm#mult Dr P's Dog Traininng Library site has some reading that might help or atleast provide some insight what is going on or how to make the transition easier....Good luck and let us know how its turning out....I am planning on adding another dobie, b ut not for another few months atleast....

 

[Gracie's_Mom]

I would think that Gracie (great name btw) would get over it. Maybe like Lapdog said she is showing her the ropes, she is being the alpha and making sure that the new pup stays in line.

BTW, I have a 2 year old black/rust female named Gracie!

 

[TracyJo]

I say to follow your instinct to not take your eyes off of them. Keep them seperate when you are not right there to supervise their interaction. I think that Gracie is probably just showing the pup the ropes like Lapdog said, but better safe than sorry. I'll be honest, I still do not allow my 7 month old pup and my 3 yr old adult unsupervised play. If I'm not with them, one or both of them are crated. I do this for the pup's safety and she outweighs the adult (a chihuahua mix) by a cool 40 pounds!
Were you looking for a pup when your son decided to suprise you? Or did he just think you'd like another since you liked the first so much?
But to properly assess the situation, and to be honest, I'm very much suprised this has not yet been mentioned, we really need pictures of both Gracie and baby Maddie

~Tracy

 

[Jedski]

Good advice given by everyone else!

We went through this same behaviour many years ago with our first Dobe X when we got our Rotti.

Our old Dobe X was an absolute cow for the first week, I was really worried that things weren't going to work out. Before you knew it, the old girl decided she was Mum and was going to dole out discipline and love as she saw fit!

Good luck with Gracie & Maddie, looking forward to the pics.

 

[Lexus]

You have received excellant advice, so keep up updated on how things progress.

 

[Guest]

Thanks for all of the excellent advice so quickly. We had been discussing a playmate for Gracie since she's a bit on the "chubby" side at 114 pounds but after visiting a few dog shelters and looking at some pups had pretty much ruled it out after seeing her reaction when we returned home...pouting, peeing on the floor, etc. Now that we have Mattie though I couldn't imagine not having her and she turned out to be a great surprise. I think today went a little bit better. Pointing a wrapping paper roll at them and telling them to knock it off seemed to work but I'm not sure that it's really appropriate.
I'll get my son to send pictures as soon as possible as I don't know how to do that yet. Thanks again!

 

[TracyJo]

Pointing a wrapping paper roll at them and telling them to knock it off seemed to work but I'm not sure that it's really appropriate.
I'll get my son to send pictures as soon as possible as I don't know how to do that yet. Thanks again!

HA! You sound like me My husband cracks up every time he hears me say (and he hears it quite often) "knock it off before I hit my leg with this rolled up newspaper!" It works though, not so sure why I'm beating my own leg though... Doesn't seem quite fair now does it?
Glad to hear that things seem to be going better... Keep us updated. I look forward to many Gracie and Mattie stories and pics

 

[IloveMyDobie31]

HA! You sound like me My husband cracks up every time he hears me say (and he hears it quite often) "knock it off before I hit my leg with this rolled up newspaper!" It works though, not so sure why I'm beating my own leg though... Doesn't seem quite fair now does it?

LOL! I like to use a spray bottle with Apollo when he gets a little too excited while playing with the new puppy. I usually just have to shake it or point it at him and he'll stop. Saying "leave it" works too sometimes, but not when they're really getting into play time. I also agree with everyone. I'm sure all you'll need is good supervision for now and time for them to adjust to each other. Hope all turns out great for you!...keep us posted!

 

[doberlover]

Just be patient with your older dog, she'll come around. I went through the same thing 3 times over the last 10 years. My first Dobie was 8 yrs when I got 11 week old Roxy. She did not like her at first and at best just tolerated her. Every time Roxy would go near her she jumped away. Little by little she warmed up to her and they became inseperable. 2 years later I got Alex. He was only 6 weeks and Roxy thought he was her puppy but my older Dobie wanted nothing to do with him. She growled and ran from him when he came near. After 6 months she finally started liking him and played with him. Last summer I get Suzy, she is 8 weeks. Alex loves her immediately but Roxy growled and even nipped her to keep her in line. I did not leave her and Roxy alone but now they play very well together and all of them eat out of the same bowl with no growling. I just get a kick out of seeing them kiss one another. Someone once told me that the older dogs know it is a puppy and won't do them any harm but still I kept my eye on them and never left them alone until the pup got older.