How does your older dog respond to your new puppy?

[Terri, Murfee & Emily]

Hi, 

My Golden Retriever, Emily (9 years old) seems to have no interest in Murfee (9 weeks). I did the introduction on neutral ground and there was no interest. Once home, if Murfee approachs Emily, she either turns her head or gets up and goes to the back bedroom. When Emily goes outside, of course Murfee is trotting right behind her and Emily just continues to move until the little guy finds a leaf or a stick to play with. 

At feeding time, Murfee goes to Emily's bowl to steal the green beans as Emily is on a diet. Emily could care less. There is no growling, snapping or any other forms of aggression. Just an indifference.

Hopefully once Murfee gets a little bigger and older they will form some type of bond. Emily & I lost her brother Charlie in January at age 16. That is the only dog she has ever shared space with. 

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Terri

[Jen and Annie]

Annie is now 10 months, and we also have an older dog - Lucy, who had just turned 10 when we got Annie.  We had the same experience that you are having.  And Lucy had recently lost her lifetime companion - our other dog Henry (RIP), a few weeks prior. We were worried that they would never bond.  Lucy didn't want anything to do with Annie for about the first month that we had Annie home.  Then Lucy would play with Annie for about 2 minutes at a time, and then remember that she is supposed to be a grump. :)    I think the older dog will come around.  Lucy still does not really 'play' with Annie, even though Annie tries to play with her.  But they have a very sweet relationship.  Once Lucy realized the puppy wasn't going anywhere, she started allowing Annie to get close. 

They may never have crazy playtime, but I'm sure the older dog will warm up.. The pictures below tell a story, haha.  Notice in the first picture, Lucy is looking at me like I'm crazy..

This was Annies first night home: "Why are you doing this to me?"

 

 

Just the other day:

[BG and Gavin]

Awww this is so cute!  How could anyone resist sweet Annie?

[BettyAnn, Holmes & Lucy]

That is CUTE! Love that you posted the 2 pics :)

[Jen and Annie]

Annie would get as close as she was allowed at first, but it was always several feet away.  Or she would lay down right next to where Lucy was layinng down, and Lucy would get up and move farther away from her.  It used to break my heart for poor little Annie, she just wanted to cuddle with a big dog like she was doing at the breeders!  Now they cuddle up every day, every nap -  little monsters..

[Jen and Annie]

haha thanks! Lucy used to resist Annie like the plague!  She finally gave in to the sweetness...

[Sarah and Willow]

Those two pictures tell the story! I had to post similar pictures after seeing this =) 

[Lonnie & Libby Lu]

Love both pictures, but the second one is so very sweet:)

[Jen and Annie]

haha thank you - I get to see the various Annie pretzels snuggling with Lucy every day.  I should post a photo album of all of their cuddle sessions I've captured...

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I love this picture!

[Pat and Traveler]

Sweet, sweet pictures!

[Joani, Skadi & Elli]

Aw, yes, I love it...very heart warming :)

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Your two photos certainly tell a story!  The second one is precious.