Dog not happy about new puppy

[Heather Chambliss]

It's been almost a week since we brought our new goldendoodle pup home, and our cockapoo Lucy is not at all happy about it.  Puppy wants to play, and as much as she tries to engage Lucy, Lucy just wants to ignore her and be left alone.  To Lucy's credit, she tries to just avoid the puppy until the pouncing gets to be too much and then she growls and air snaps.  She hasn't actually bitten the pup, but there is potential.

Lucy has been an only dog for 4 years... will she ever be friends with her furry sister?

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Most dogs do NOT instantly fall in love with the new dog you bring home.  They are usually more tolerant of puppies, but it does not mean they love them.  It will take time.  When we got our last puppy, our older dog put him in his place - finally, after he bugged him enough.  Our second dog was the 'ignorer  type' and just wanted Ned to go away.  Ned continued to steal the second dog's toys, etc. and was dominant over him. Our second dog really was depressed about Ned for a very long time - like months and months.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I bet in time they will work it out. This is a HUGE change for Lucy and I would make sure to give her lots of love and some one on one time. Lucy is letting the puppy know she has had enough with the growling and air snapping and I think that is perfectly normal. I would do my best to distract the puppy when she gets too rough with Lucy, but I would allow Lucy to get her point across as long as there is no fighting. Dogs have a great way of figuring out who is going to be the boss.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I agree with the others, this is a huge change for Lucy, and it will take time. Do not correct her for growling or snapping at the puppy, that's what the pup's mother did and would still be doing, it's completely natural. It's how puppies learn appropriate behavior with other dogs.

Also, Lucy has earned a higher rank in your home than the newcomer and should be treated accordingly. Lucy gets fed before the puppy, Lucy gets treats before the puppy, Lucy gets attention and affection before the puppy. And spend a little extra time with Lucy when the pup is napping. 

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I agree, I truly believe they will work it out.  Lucy will teach the puppy what's allowed.  Let the puppy see you giving Lucy lots of attention...but be sure to retain the leadership role.  If you think the puppy is being overbearing with Lucy...put a stop to it....that's when a little crate time is perfect.

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

It took Charlie quite a while to get used to the idea he had a half brother!  Almost 4 months -yikes, he was so spoiled and did not want to share his toys or us.  After 3 years, they are definitely attached to each other, but never sleep together. Charlie remains the alpha and Beau is the joker and like to tease Charlie.  Beau is not into playing ball (which is all Charlie wants to do) but Beau is definitely into waiting on the sidelines until the ball is in the air and he will often get there before Charlie and then run away with the ball!  Initially, I thought I made a mistake getting a second doodle, but now I am so glad we did. Actually training Beau was easy since we had Charlie's help to keep that little puppy in line and Beau followed Charlie around just like a little brother would.  Your two will get it worked out.  

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

When we first brought AnnaBelle home at 8 weeks, Lucy hated her.  And I'm not exaggerating.  Lucy would actually walk around through another room rather than walk past AnnaBelle.  We had a foster here at the time and she and Lucy were great friends and the foster and AnnaBelle were great friends but not Lucy and AnnaBelle.  For one I think that AnnaBelle was so little Lucy just didn't know what to do with her.  I found that they did better outside than in the house.  I tried for days to get a good picture of myself holding AnnaBelle with Lucy sitting by me and she wanted no part of it.  However, outside she seemed to tolerate her a little better.  Just give them time.  I agree with Karen, Lucy sort of gets to set the guidelines for the puppy.  It is a little scary when they growl, but they will work it out.   Lucy and AnnaBelle are now best friends ... But Lucy remains the boss and AnnaBelle totally respects her.

[Heather Chambliss]

Thanks everyone! I feel better!  In fact, yesterday afternoon, they actually chased each other outside!! Small victory.  Of course, when they came back in, Gracie (the puppy) still wanted to play and didn't understand when Lucy had enough. 

Another question... do any of you have a dog that you can't tell between their play "voice" and their aggressive growl?  Lucy (a 15 lb cockapoo) sound SO VICIOUS even when she plays.  I can't tell when she wants to play and when she is saying "back off" to the puppy.  The good thing is that Lucy seems to be careful... she snarls and may even "mouth" Gracie, but has yet to bite.  And, Gracie does submit by crawling... so I guess that they are figuring it out.

The good thing for Lucy is that Gracie isn't big enough to jump onto the furniture yet, so Lucy can just retreat to the back of the couch in her perch as queen of the house. (is that a poodle thing?!)

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

My little mini Doodle also sounds pretty fierce when he's playing.  It could seem like an aggressive growl to somebody who didn't know him.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

My theory is if both dogs keep coming back for more (play bowing, etc.), it is playing. My dogs sound like they are going to kill each other when they play and since Fudge is almost 60 pounds lighter than Vern, sometimes I step in, only to have Fudge take off and circle around Vern as if to say, "ha ha...you got in trouble." She does reach a point when she has had enough and lets him have it, and he stops immediately. It sounds like Lucy is telling the puppy in all the right ways when she has had enough. I also found car rides together and walks together help. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Walks together is a great idea; that helps any two dogs bond. 

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I learned this from the best :)

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

When our older dog, Simon, finally had had enough of Ned's bugging, he 'bit' him on the snout.  Not a real bite, but a dominant 'stop'   He did this exactly ONCE.  Ned yowled, then stopped bugging this guy forever.  He loved and respected Simon as his leader for the rest of his life.