I composed about exactly how I’m feeling overwhelmed with a puppy.

And then I got all these good comments on exactly how it gets simpler as well as your puppy doesn’t have to be ideal as well as so on.

Only … my primary issue is really my senior canine Ace!

I’m concerned my older canine is being as well aggressive with my puppy when resources are included like his canine bed, toys or … ME.

My adult canine is aggressive to my new puppy

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My adult canine is aggressive to my new puppy

It’s typical for an adult canine to appropriate a puppy

It’s the owner’s task to re-direct the puppy away from the older dog

Where it gets challenging … resource guarding

Older canine attacks new puppy

How to stop your older canine from being aggressive to the new puppy

1. keep canine intros sluggish between the older canine as well as the new puppy.

2. Prevention. Prevention.

3. Re-direct the puppy away from your older dog.

4. seek out positive experiences between the two dogs.

5. Calmly have both dogs sit as well as then provide them treats.

How to get your older canine to accept your puppy

1. Dogs truly do online in the moment.

2. Dogs adapt.

3. Humans requirement to relocation on too.

4. It’s not personal.

How long does it take an older canine to get utilized to a puppy?

It’s typical for an adult canine to appropriate a puppy

Don’t get me wrong, it’s totally normal for an older canine to appropriate a rambunctious puppy. You can bet the older canine will growl or snarl or even lunge if a puppy is being a pest.

This is exactly how a puppy learns it’s impolite to jump on a dog’s head while he’s resting, for example.

The older canine shouldn’t be scolded for doing this as long as he’s not physically hurting the puppy.

(Some puppies will yelp as well as squeal even if they are not hurt. I don’t react to this.)

It’s the owner’s task to re-direct the puppy away from the older dog

The canine owner needs to make sure to re-direct the puppy from being a pest so the older canine doesn’t have to appropriate the puppy many of the time. phone call it a team effort for setting boundaries.

*If you just got a new puppy, download my totally free puppy training guide. Click Here

Where it gets challenging … resource guarding

My older canine Ace is certainly showing some resource guarding around his bed, toys and, unfortunately, ME.

This is to be expected, to some degree. If a canine is calmly chewing on a bone, he’s going to growl if a puppy barges over to take it. Again, it’s always the owner’s task to handle these interactions.

However, in my opinion, my older canine Ace has crossed a line a couple of times. (And this still falls on me as the owner. Dogs are dogs.)

Older canine attacks new puppy

Should I let my older canine growl at my puppy? Well, sometimes a bit growling is good, however my older dog’s aggression to my new puppy is much more than what I discover acceptable.

One example was when I was sitting on the floor petting Ace as well as he lunged at my puppy Remy for approaching us.

Ace utilized teeth on Remy’s head for a second as well as left marks (no punctures or scratches). Remy squealed as well as ran away.

I ought to have seen this coming as well as blocked Remy because, let’s be honest, he was BARGING his method onto my lap.

However, I believed Ace’s reaction was out of line.

It left me truly stressed out about exactly how I’m going to handle future interactions between my older canine as well as my puppy.

But on the plus side, Remy is completely fine. He’s pleased go lucky as well as resilient. He likes Ace as well as he is not scared of Ace in the slightest. They do have positive interactions with each other every day.

Other notes about Ace:

He has been ill for 7 months as well as has some pain. He’s likewise had to wear a cone collar which blocks his vision, hearing as well as movement.
I have seen some minor resource guarding from Ace throughout the years (Behavioral problems are seldom “out of nowhere.”)
Since he’s been sick, Ace has shown enhanced resource guarding around my feline Beamer, so it’s not just the puppy.

How to stop your older canine from being aggressive to the new puppy

Here are my suggestions for introducing dogs that will be living together.

In our case, these have assisted things go as smoothly as possible for managing two dogs of different “generations.” Update: sadly our senior canine has now passed away however the two dogs did discover to get along just fine!

1. keep canine intros sluggish between the older canine as well as the new puppy.

That goes for the preliminary satisfying however likewise the next couple of days as well as weeks. slowly integrate them into each other’s lives. Don’t force them to play, interact, cuddle, present for photos, etc.

The two dogs may or may not select to interact naturally, however don’t force them to be finest friends.

See my post: exactly how to introduce your canine to a puppy.

2. Prevention. Prevention.

Pick up all canine toys, bones, Kongs, food bowls, etc. Don’t provide them chances to fight or guard these items.

It’s smart not to sit on the ground petting one canine if there is any type of danger of “guarding” like my example with Ace. utilize gates, crates as well as leashes as needed.

*If you just got a new puppy, download my totally free puppy training guide. Click Here

3. Re-direct the puppy away from your older dog.

The new puppy ought to not be enabled to bother the older dog. The older canine needs to understand you have his back.

4. seek out positive experiences between the two dogs.

Do walks go well? opt for great deals as well as great deals of walks together as a pack if possible. Bring one more adult along to help.

My canine Ace does much much better with Remy when we’re outside. He tolerates Remy getting in his deal with for the most part as long as we’re outside. 

They can walk together, sniff the exact same bushes, touch noses. I’m utilizing that to produce positive interactions. “Yay! Such great boys! treats for all!”

5. Calmly have both dogs sit as well as then provide them treats.

Dog Behaviorist Dr. Patricia McConnell has an outstanding publish on dog-to-dog resource guarding.

One concept she noted is to provide both dogs treats one after the other for calm behavior. This is presuming you have no tension between the dogs and there is no danger of combating while they’re sitting there.

In our situation this works truly well. I utilize a spoon of peanut butter, have both dogs sit (Remy tethered) as well as state their names one after the other providing them a few licks turning back as well as forth.

It teaches Remy to stay as well as teaches Ace fun things occur around Remy.

How to get your older canine to accept your puppy

1. Dogs truly do online in the moment.

Even if they fight or bite they typically relocation on from second to second. They can have numerous positive interactions in any type of provided day.

2. Dogs adapt.

Even if two dogs have had a couple of poor interactions they can relocation on as well as online peacefully together if they’re set up for success. typically anyway. There are exceptions.

3. Humans requirement to relocation on too. 

Dog owners have to relocation on as well as modification their mindsets as well. even if something poor has occurred, you have to relocation on.

For example, I requirement to stay light as well as positive (not tense). I can’t sit there predicting a reaction from Ace or it’s bound to happen. I may even cause a reaction.

4. It’s not personal.

My older canine is aggressive to my new puppy, however Ace is not capable of “hating” Remy or being upset with me for getting a new dog.

Those are human emotions. My canine is just being a dog, guarding what he feels is important as well as protecting his space. While we can make it complicated, it’s truly quite simple.

*If you just got a new puppy, download my totally free puppy training guide. Click Here

How long does it take an older canine to get utilized to a puppy?

It just depends upon the dogs. In our case, things got a great deal much better when our puppy was about 5 months old. At that age, he was big sufficient where I wasn’t so concerned my older canine would hurt him.

And, at that age my puppy seemed to have much more typical sense as well as understanding about my older dog’s limits.

My puppy would still push the limits, however he comprehended there would be consequences such as a ferocious growl or a snap. He understood to “proceed with caution.”

Remy as well as Ace frequently cuddled up on the exact same bed together

I still supervised them, of course, however I wasn’t as concerned my puppy would get hurt. around this time, my older canine seemed to have accepted our puppy as well as was quite indifferent to him as long as the pup left him alone.

Then, when my puppy hit about 18 months old, they would even nap together on the exact same bed.

This was not since they were great buddies however since my older canine would be noise asleep aswell as Remy would slip in for a cuddle. when Ace woke up with Remy best there, he seemed to tolerate it as long as Remy was calm as well as quiet.

OK …

What do the rest of you have to add to this?

I like hearing from you! let me understand your experience or issues in the comments.

*If you just got a new puppy, download my totally free puppy training guide. Click Here

Some of my preferred canine products:

Wellness treats. wellness Well Bites are treats practically all dogs are prepared to work for as well as focus on!
Treat bag.Carry your treats in a practical treat pouch around your midsection so you’re always prepared to reward your canine for heeling, coming when called or paying interest to you.
Gentle Leader.A gentle Leader assists a great deal of dogs discover not to pull on the leash.
Darwin’s Raw Food.My dogs eat fresh, raw food provided to our door from Darwin’s. get 10 pounds for just $14.95 as well as totally free shipping. No code required.

Other resources:

How to avoid fights between your dogs (Ace & Remy update!)
How to introduce dogs
I regret getting a puppy
How much resource guarding to allow?
My canine growls at other dogs
How to break a dog’s possessiveness
Dog-to-dog resource guarding (Patricia McConnell)

Lindsay Stordahl is the creator of That Mutt. She composes about canine training, canine exercise as well as feeding a healthy raw diet.