Senior dogs and puppies

I think you have to allow for an adjustment period. Our pup is almost 3 months old and I have a 10 yr old Eskimo who is either pissed off at me or maybe a bit depressed, she won't leave my couch and is acting depressed, I know its due to the new puppy. I also have two chihuahuas, the one I was most worried about seems to be the only one that will play with the puppy, the other one I don't think likes her unless its meal time, then she is her best friend but only because she wants her to share some of her food. Its all an adjustment, as long as your older dog is still eating then its ok, they will probably adjust and be ok, atleast thats why my vet told me, its when they get so depressed that they stop eating that you can have problems. I'm going through the exact same thing as you times three with my three other dogs so I know its a process, I guess we all just have to be a little patient. Good luck to you.

MeadowCat said:

From your post it sounds like you have a male senior and a male pup? Male/male aggression is pretty common in the breed, so you may very well be seeing that from your senior. I also know a lot of adult dogs that don't tolerate puppies well, and seniors especially may not want to put up with the obnoxiousness of a puppy. I'd recommend getting a professional in for some help and advice.

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Thanks for the advice. My senior boy isn't a Doberman and has lived with other male dogs before. The pup, Henry, is actually my first Doberman. He was abandoned at a local shelter when he was seven weeks old. I stopped by a couple of hours later and the rest is history. I wasn't planning on a puppy and just want to make sure he and my older fella are doing okay. They actually play together sometimes, although I have to supervise when Henry gets a little rough. He's eighteen weeks now. I just thought it was curious that Tyler is suddenly sleeping in Henry's crate at night. I really enjoy the forums. Henry is a beautiful uncropped, docked red boy. He seems very calm compared to what I have read about other pups on the forum. He rarely barks and has never really played with toys. Although he loves fetch and hiking. A very calm little guy actually.

Luckyme said:

I think that is what I've been worrying about. That Tyler is separating from the puppy. I'll definitely do more one on one time. Henry is a really attention seeking puppy though. He is always with Tyler or me. He is the definition of a Velcro dog and it makes it hard for one on one time with Tyler. Any suggestions on how one handles this in a one owner home?

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I live in a 2 owner home but do most of the care. I get up an hour early and stay up an hour late when I first get puppies and then of course, we get up to potty them and it can be exhausting

I do crate my puppies at night - could you rotate putting puppy in crate one night and leaving him out the next? I would also see what it is that might be boterhing your Senior. As my older Vizsla ages she does NOT like getting bumped around but she's bossy enough to let puppies know in a forceful but kind manner. But I spend a lot of time teaching puppies they have to learn to respect other dog's space. My Vizslas are even more velcro than Dobes so I do feel your pain. Puppies also have to learn they can't always be with mom, dad or other dog, of course this is an over time lesson they learn. I try to keep current dogs routines as normal as possible when bringing a new one home.

Adara you seem to have alot of experience with blending dogs. Tell me please, my senior Eskie tolerates my dobie puppy and smiles bright and wide at her when she is pissed off, shes a pretty even tempered dog so it takes alot of biting and nipping to get her pissed off, I've basically been letting them "work it out amongst themselves" but I'm not sure if maybe I should be stepping in and correcting the puppy, to not be so rough with the older ones, we have four here, one is a senior thats the one I'm most concerned with, the other one is middle aged, and she wants no part of the puppy as of yet unless its her meal time, then shes all tails waggin and the littlest one, seems to be the only one who will play with her but she is so rough with her that I'm afraid she is going to hurt her with her sharp puppy teeth. Any reccomendations on helping them to co-exist and accept each other would be greatly appreciated.

CH4Sure said:

Adara you seem to have alot of experience with blending dogs. Tell me please, my senior Eskie tolerates my dobie puppy and smiles bright and wide at her when she is pissed off, shes a pretty even tempered dog so it takes alot of biting and nipping to get her pissed off, I've basically been letting them "work it out amongst themselves" but I'm not sure if maybe I should be stepping in and correcting the puppy, to not be so rough with the older ones, we have four here, one is a senior thats the one I'm most concerned with, the other one is middle aged, and she wants no part of the puppy as of yet unless its her meal time, then shes all tails waggin and the littlest one, seems to be the only one who will play with her but she is so rough with her that I'm afraid she is going to hurt her with her sharp puppy teeth. Any reccomendations on helping them to co-exist and accept each other would be greatly appreciated.

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Thanks What I do depends on the puppy and the dog in question. I know Flirt, my Dobe, has a hard time telling puppies to stop. She needs me to intervene. While I do try to let her figure it out, I also don't want her to shut down. My 8 yr old Vizsla, she hates to be bumped the older she's gotten. she's very clear with puppies and they seem to listen when she "speaks." She's fair and just in her communication and I let her handle it IF the puppy listens. When I got Flirt, she did not listen to the older Vizsla. If she got too rough or did not listen to the signals, I said BUMMER then I gently removed her from play, waited 10-15 seconds and let her go back. I consistently did this until she could play nicely.

One of the things I do with all puppies is a lot of "calling out of play" and then letting them go back to play. It can help lower energy level and teaches them how to come to you in an excited state. I would start by standing right by the puppy, say puppy's name come and pop a treat in their mouth.