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

[Amy, Cubbie & Ollie]

I wouldn't worry too much now.  Emily is older and isn't living life at the same pace as a puppy.  She is a more mature dog and everything is new and exciting to a puppy.  Once Murfee settles in (and calms down a little), I'm sure they will be friends, but just might not play together given the age difference.  I think Emily's indifference to Murfee right now might be similar to how a 13 year old human wouldn't want their 4 year old sister tagging along all the time.  :)  Be happy with the indifference because aggression would be a LOT worse to deal with.  :)   Good luck with training a new pup...I'm sure Emily will help teach him too.

[Adina P]

I agree with Amy.  They may or may not actively be friends ever.  But it's great that Emily is being 'cool' about it.  Usually older dogs give puppies some 'puppy license' to be annoying pests for several weeks.  Because, as cute as we find them, to older dogs puppies are kind of annoying little pests.  After Murfee's puppy license is expired, Emily might either continue to ignore him, might start telling him to knock it off, might be a little more friendly...or a combo of those. 

When our border collie was 9 or 10 years old, we brought in an 11 month old active labradoodle.  They barked and butted heads with each other for a good two weeks.  The eldest, alpha border collie female just did NOT like the addition of the quirky, happy-go-lucky, wiggly older pup female at all.  But with time they coexisted happily.  Our border collie never really played with her, but she grew to accept her.  It is different with every dog.  But I think as long as they accept each other and aren't fighting, it's a good thing.

[Jen and Annie]

Yes - The puppy license is a true statement!  Lucy did start 'putting Annie in line' when she got a bit too rowdy, after she had been in the home about 1 1/2 - 2 months...  It worried me at first, because you just think "Don't growl at the sweet puppy!!"   But they really know how to communicate, Lucy was just telling her in dog language - to "Knock it off!" - neither of them have ever come away limping or bleeding from their scuffles.  We just let them sort it out when Annie got out of hand.  Lucy would just give a little snip and grumble, and Annie got the picture. It's amazing how much control these dogs have over their mouths - Lucy never made contact with Annie, biting her - she would just come close enough to say that she meant business, and far enough away to not actually nip her.

[Amy, Cubbie & Ollie]

I think that even when dogs are closer in age they still do the "knock it off" thing.  Ollie tries to attack the vacuum when I clean and will charge at it and nip at it (I'm working on correcting this) but Cubbie will get upset and bark at Ollie and try to chase him away from me and the vacuum.  it is pretty interesting to watch.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I say give it more time and it will all work out. They will figure out their relationship. So sorry about Charlie!

[Marnie, Stanlee's Mom]

It took about six weeks for my 8½ year old dog, Cooper, to warm up and play with Stanlee when I brought the puppy home at fourteen weeks.  Stanlee wanted so badly to be next to him at all times and Cooper tolerated nothing.  He would walk away from Stanlee, ignore him, and even growl and snap if the puppy really got in his face (this reaction really worried me).  Now they are inseperable….at least as far as Stanlee goes.  Cooper could stand a little more “me time” but Stanlee is all up in his business 24/7 and Cooper?  He knows there is nothing he can do about it other than just accept the Nerd-Dog just the way he is. 

 

Cooper does seem to *sigh* an awful lot more than he used to but funny thing, when Stanlee gets to go to daycare (Cooper isn’t as “happy” around strange dogs like Stanlee is) Cooper mopes, whines, and worries until Stanlee comes home. 

 

[BG and Gavin]

Marnie I just love how you have characterized their relationship.  Sweet.

[Jen and Annie]

How funny is that first picture... haha, I can see it in his eyes - Cooper is like "WTF mom? - get this rug rat away from me" but how sweet they grow to be together!

[Marnie, Stanlee's Mom]

......kinda like YOUR house was!  LOL

[Amy, Cubbie & Ollie]

nerd dog?  lol

[Marnie, Stanlee's Mom]

Even funnier?  He responds to the name and comes when I call him that.

[BG and Gavin]

Sorry for the loss of Charlie.  Your older dog may still be "mourning" that loss.  I think indifference is a good sign at this point, particularly that he gives up his food.  I think your older dog will grow to love that pain in the butt puppy over time.