[Luckyme]

I have an eleven year old dog and a 4 1/2 month old dobe puppy. My pup stays in the crate when I'm away from home, but otherwise has free run of the house. Including sleeping with me at night. Before the pup my senior would always sleep with me at night, but now he sleeps in the pup's kennel instead of with the pup and me. I have never noticed signs of aggression between the two and they generally get along quite well. Each has their own dog bed which are identical. Has anyone else experienced this? I just don't want my senior guy to be uncomfortable. Thanks for any advice as this is my first post here, although I've been reading here for awhile.

 

[Luckyme]

Well, my senior eats great. If anything, he is a dominant eater and will try and take over the pup's food. Hopefully, he will adjust to the puppy fine with time, I just don't want him to feel neglected, as we all know how much attention puppies can take.

 

[Luckyme]

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.

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]

Unfortunately male/male aggression is not dependent on both dogs being Doberman. Just one doberman and any male dog. I would be very careful watching behavior as your puppy grows up.

It sounds to me like the older dog is removing him from the situation, possibly from the puppy. I'd make sure the older dog gets more one on one time on the bed also.

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?