My 18 month old Golden Retriever is showing aggression to my new 7 wk old Doodle..

[Chloe, Finley & Mama Shelley]

We have had our new puppy for 3 days, and my 18 month old Golden Retriever is fine with her, except for when it comes to food, or chewies. He growled and snapped at her when she walked too close to him while he had a rawhide, and then today the puppy tried to sniff at his food bowl while he was eating and he growled loudly, and was going to snap at her. I am soo worried, he has never done this before to any of our other dogs or to us. Should I be worried or is this all just new to him, and he is just getting used to her, and finding her place in the home...???

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

I'd say give it some time. At first Daisy did not want Bella (her real life but only visiting on occasion sister)  near her toys and would bark loud and low, but now she is just fine...it took about 5 days and Mommy saying "NO Daisy, be nice".

Daisy is not food motivated nor does she resource guard, she could care less about food. I was more worried about Bella eating her food than Daisy. I literally had to feed them separate times in separate rooms...Bella is a chow hound. When she would finish her meal and I would let her out she would tear butt into the kitchen to see if Daisy had any food. Hilarious.

[Chloe, Finley & Mama Shelley]

Thanks for the reply..I will give it a few days and keep and eye on them~

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I think this is going to take time. This is a very new situation for your older dog. I think I would hold off on the chewies until he has been given more time to accept the younger dog. I would also monitor them closely when you feed the older dog. Give it some more time.

[Brandi]

Shelley, I wouldn't be too worried.  This is all normal.  Your golden is just setting boundaries for the pup.  He is making sure the pup knows who's boss.  I let my alpha dog do her thing, she def let the pups know who's who.  Once your pup learns all this, everything will be fine.  I think it's nothing more than the "pecking order" thing.  If your golden "attacked", I would def worry.  But just a growl and a snap, no problem.   Keep an eye on things, but I really do think everything is OK. :  Give it time, it'll work out

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I agree with everyone's advice.  Even now I feed my guys at the same time but not near each other and I watch them...neither dog is allowed near the other's dish while that dog is still eating.  Same with the chewies...I still watch my two when they have something that is really high value and don't let them near each other.

[Ginny Nightingale]

I also agree-they should have their own space with chewies, food--I feed my younger pup (8 months old)  in the crate with the door locked and the other two, who are totally used to each other eat in two separate rooms, but they are now trustworthy. Once the pup is older and more polite, he will be able to have his crate door open during meals. 

Your dog will get used the puppy, but again needs to give the puppy some "lessons" about who is Top dog! Even a momma dog will do that. Of course, when the puppy gets bigger, she may assert herself and take over the top position! My puppy is in charge in our house and has been since he was just a tiny thing! (he is the son of one of my other doodles.) 

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

I feed all my animals in the same room, but in separate areas. Cooper does growl at the catrs sometimes when they get close, but she would never do anything, in fact if the  cats are near her chew  she wont go get it til they have ,moved. I think its pretty normal, but do keep an eye on them - you never know what may happen til thay have got used to each other

 

also, bear in mind that  7 weeks is very young for a pup to be away from its litter (most breeders do not let them go til 8 or 9 weeks) and your pup may have missed out on an important part of socialization - bite inhibition. Thankfully you have an older dog to teach the pup what is and isnt appropriate, but you can expect a few scuffles in that respect too. Just keep a close eye on them and all should be ok

[Michele, Biscuit & Mo]

In our experience, it's quite normal.  When Biscuit came to live with us, Penny was quite guarded about her food and treats.  She would growl and snap, but never got more aggressive than that.  Your 7-week old is still a baby and needs to learn the boundaries.  I think your older boy is just doing what comes naturally.  Give it some time.. I think it will all work out!

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Give it time, but also, do not be alarmed if your retriever continues to show some food aggression.  Many dogs do this. My chihuahua STILL growls when my doodle approaches him while he is eating. Try to feed them separately.

[Bonnie and Kona]

I am glad your older dog is teaching your puppy some manners. Our older dog is so mellow and sweet he would not correct the puppy. This lead to more problems than the reverse. They will work it out. You may not need to feed them separately all of the time. We did when Owen was a pup but all of our adult dogs have fed side by side. Just see how it goes. You puppy is so young. Wait until they have figured out their relationship and then give it another try if you want.

[Chloe, Finley & Mama Shelley]

Thanks for all your great replies. I feel better now. Actually today, she went to sniff his bowl when he was eating and he walked away from his food and let her get in his food. We stopped her though, but I was glad to see him be more submissive.

I think they will be fine. We have always fed all our dogs side by side at the same time, and have never had a problem, so hopefully she will fall into place. The chewies..are another story, and probably always will be.. I think its just in all dogs nature. lol

Now if I can just get her to sleep in her crate, and thru the night..????!!!1

 

[Ginny Nightingale]

Oh, so now you want miracles! ;) LOL! Before you know it, she will be a year old--it goes fast!