Teaching 2 year old Doodle to play with new puppy

[Kimberly Daisy Kalli]

A few days ago, we added a new puppy to our family.  Our 2 year goldendoodle (Daisy) is slowly adjusting to her new sister.  The biggest challenge has been that the puppy keeps nipping at Daisy and steeling things from her.  Daisy will not growl at her (so far) but looks very annoyed.  The puppy keeps inviting play and when  Daisy starts to play she hits with her paws and pounces.  We want to make sure the puppy is not injured.  It seems like we are constantly separating them or refereeing.   Any suggestions?

[Lynda Kamrath]

We have had lots of experience with introducing new puppies to resident dogs. Our first puppy, a standard poodle, joined a shephard. We went to visit and came home with puppy smells on our hands and clothes and the shephard drooled. We didn't know if she wanted to eat the puppy. She was about 3 years old and absolutely adored the puppy and took him under her wing. Several years later, the poodle was presented with a labradoodle puppy who slapped him across the face when they first met. The poodle was shocked and did not know how to take the labradoodle puppy but he was so happy to have another dog (the shephard had died), he adjusted well and they were great friends. Three years later, we got another goldendoodle because the poodle was old and on the way out. The labradoodle loved the puppy as soon as he saw him and graciously let the goldendoodle have the alpha role. After the labradoodle died, we got an ALD and they are still working on roles with the two dogs now. The goldendoodle is quiet and laid back and the ALD is super active and into everything. They do work it out.
My suggestion for introductions is to place the puppy in a neutral area and let the resident dog think he is a visitor to your home. Don't make a big deal out of it and just leave them outside with each other for a while. You will see pretty quickly if they are going to be friendly with each other.

[Carol]

This was helpful, thanks.

[Kimberly Daisy Kalli]

Bad doodle mom...  so our 2 yr old doodle (Daisy) has adjusted fairly well to having 11 week old Kalli in our family.   A few weeks ago, I posted that I was worried about Daisy pouncing and pawing at Kalli when they play.  Daisy is not an aggressive dog at all - in fact she is really a big chicken.  But, she is very playful.  Yesterday, she pounced on Kalli while my back was turned to close the house door... Kalli ended up with a "tissue injury" around her ankle area.  They did xrays - thank goodness  no fracture.  She was limping a lot yesterday.  The vet wants her to rest and not "jump or play hard" for a few days.  Today she is limping a little bit - so little that a guest at our house didn't notice this morning. I still feel terrible and so does Daisy.  Daisy keeps sitting next to Kalli's crate whining and looking at me like, "please let her out to play."

[Carla, Lucca and Izzy]

No, you're not a bad doodle mom....I have already had 2 situations similar. They are so quick and it happens soooo fast. Lucca and Izzy were out on our patio and I heard a yelp, I ran and Izzy is at the door with her front paw up. I had no clue what happened (I had walked away for all of 15 seconds). She was yelping so loud I thought she broke it. Well, 15 seconds which felt like 15 minutes, she calmed down and was favoring it but was able to walk. Of course Lucca couldn't tell me what happened:) and he was looking at me like "what did I do?" I think she lunged off the step running so fast or Lucca tumbled her. It happened again 2 days later but not as bad. When they start to play too rough I tell them to "take a break".They seem to stop and I try to redirect them to toys instead of each other. Haw....it's definitely no so easy with #2 and especially a little one. I am looking forward to her getting bigger although she doesn't realize she is small:) She truly holds her own with Lucca and in fact goes back for more. I think the play fighting is harder on me than them.

Then.....yesterday they got a Bumble Ball in their stocking. They went nuts. Out of excitement, Izzy jumped in Ben's face (8 yo Golden) and he snapped so hard he (according to my DH) he had most of her head in his mouth. Well...he hurt her eye. Again the screeching and me upset.Thank goodness she is ok. Her eyelid was a little swollen yesterday but a close call.

Lesson learned....I never allowed them in the same room without human supervision and we were right there. I am having Ben stay away for awhile until she is bigger. (Ben is my son's girlfriend's dog who spends a lot of time at our house). But he's older and very sweet but doesn't tolerate puppies. Lucca was 6 months old before Ben realized he was fun to play with.

But you can't leave them alone together for a second unless they're sleeping, they play so hard I'm fearful they will hurt each other!!!!

But......I think all of us with #2 doodles have or are going through this.

[Lynda Kamrath]

Yep, you are so right.  We all go through it.

[Nelson, Rufus & KO]

We introduced a new ( 9 week old) GD puppy to our 8 month old GD about a month ago.

The first couple of weeks were rough. We consulted a trainer, who advised us to intervene early and often.  If the puppy yelps or play gets too rough , we give 2 claps and and an "eh eh"sound. On the 3rd warning, the older pup goes for a time out for 30 seconds he can watch the activity continue. This has worked amazingly well. It is ok to let them work it out, once they are on even footing but a large dog can easily do serious injury to a small puppy unintentionally. Now that we are a month on and the puppy has grown some, they are starting to work it out with close supervision.  It's like having a 3 year old and a newborn. They love each other but need a watchful eye.

It'll get better.

 

[Carla, Lucca and Izzy]

Yes, it will get better and it is for us. Lucca and Izzy seem to be settling in. My only issue is that she doesn't back down or know when to stop. I hear Lucca get frustrated and I tell them to "take a break" and they do. I then try to redirect with toys.

My question is: if I interfere do I interfere with the chain of command? Lucca puts Izzy in a submissive pose and she jumps right back up and goes for more!! Once I see him get frustrated, I intervene.

It is also a lot calmer since Ben isn't around as much. It truly is overwhelming with 3:)

[Carol]

We just got our Izzy (short for Isabella) a few weeks ago and she and her big brother Manny (11 months) are doing well together. Manny is the one I have to get to "take a break" periodically because he gets so excited and wants to play. Because he too is still a pup we have had to step up our interaction with him, letting him stay at the dog park for a longer period of time, and some play time at the local PetSmart (where they all know and love him and sometimes play with him). Izzy is so tiny but she is a tough cookie and many times will engage him in play when he destroying yet another toy ;-) Our trainer has been over and works with both Manny and Izzy together and separately and like Nelson's owner said when it gets too rough we intervene (and usually because Iz is so small) but for the most part she advised to let them work things out between then and so far so good.  It is indeed like having a toddler and newborn in the house (which was my experience with my own kiddos) but all a blessing (like with my own kiddos!). 

 

A watchful eye is excellent advice!

[Julie, Boomer, Milo & Casey]

We brought home our puppy yesterday and our 2yo  just wants to play -  He is SOOO playful.   They did alot of sniffing last night and all was well but if the puppy walked across the room, our 2yo would pounce toward him.    Today, the same thing - any quick running that the puppy does, our 2yo will pounce at him.  I know he's trying to initiate play.   Our 2yo is in a play bow and barking to get the puppy to play...when the puppy starts to play, the 2yo nips at the puppy's neck.  Is that normal?    I've heard the puppy yelp a few times (but he's also yelped when the 2yo approached him) so I don't think he's hurting him.    I had read the responses that said to let them work it out but the puppy is so small and my 2yo is 65lbs!    I don't want the puppy to get hurt.  One 'bad landing' and the 2yo could do alot of damage to the puppy's hips. KWIM?   They just had a 5 minute episode of puppy running across the floor, 2yo getting excited and going for his neck, puppy yelping and then swatting and jumping at the 2yo (seemed almost like he was telling him to back off...or maybe trying to tell him to play??   I don't know)....and then the puppy will run to a safe place (between the sofa and end table...or any space that the 65lb dog can't fit in to).   

 

I need to post pictures soon because they are both so cute.  I don't remember my 2yo ever being this small but they are both standard size so Boomer better watch out - Milo will give him a good match some day.   LOL! 

 

I'd love to see someone's video of what is "normal" and when to break it up.     Maybe I can videotape it tomorrow and a DKer can tell me when I "should have" stepped in, or if it was all normal behavior.  

 

Thanks if you made it this far.   My two boys are laying in the kitchen a few feet apart...awwww...bliss!  Have a great night.

 

Julie

 

[Julie, Boomer, Milo & Casey]

My puppy was so mellow at the breeder's house but he instigates all play with the 2yo doodle.   My 2yo will be laying down and the puppy will do a 'surprise attack' on him.   Is this normal for a puppy to want to be so rough?   I sure hope he mellows out. 

[Kimberly Daisy Kalli]

Hi Julie,

Our puppy is mellowing out quite a bit.  She was driving our 2 yo doodle (and us) crazy with those surprise attacks, but now things are much better.  How old is your puppy?

 

 

[Julie, Boomer, Milo & Casey]

Hi Kimberly - how old is your puppy now?    Boomer is 2 and Milo is 9 weeks.   The yelps are going away but they seem to play pretty rough.   Milo goes for the ears or neck.    This morning, Boomer was laying in the backyard and rolled on to his back (to scratch) and albedamned if Milo didn't see that and BOLTED across the lawn to pounce on him.   I want those moments to stop before Boomer retaliates.   Do the two of your dogs lay in the same room without being obsessed with what the other one is doing now?    THANKS!