The first reason
an older dog might attack or not be fond of a young puppy is that they are territorial of their space
. Your resident dog views your home as their turf, and therefore, the new puppy poses a threat to that—a threat that your older dog is uncomfortable with.
What do I do when my older dog attacks my new puppy?
The first thing you need to do is to
separate your older dog and the new puppy
, to keep them both safe. If it's possible, keep them in separate rooms especially during times of the day when there's no one around to supervise. Think of it this way: dogs are territorial creatures.
Can my older dog make my puppy aggressive?
Is your older dog being aggressive to the puppy?
If your older dog snaps at or growls at the new puppy when the pup becomes rambunctious, that's normal
. The older dog is telling the youngster to respect him and back off, much as the puppy's mother would do.
Should I let my older dog growl at my puppy?
That precious puppy has to learn boundaries and how to behave, and the older dog is the one to teach him. But more than this,
it's wrong to punish the older dog for growling, as his behavior is completely natural.
How long does it take for an older dog to accept a puppy?
It can take
up to one month
for an old dog and new dog to really settle in and accept each other's position in the pack. If you want a second dog, you need to be ready to commit to this process and not panic.
Do older dogs get jealous of new puppies?
Many older dogs will be upset, jealous, or even angry with a new puppy
, especially if the older dog has been an only dog. It's going to be important to make sure the older dog gets lots (more than normal) of attention to alleviate potential hurt feelings.
Why is my dog being aggressive towards her puppies?
If your female is feeling stressed or threatened by too much noise or activity around her puppies she may begin harming the puppies as a way to protect them from any perceived outside threat
. Some female dogs just simply were not cut out to be mothers.
How do I teach my puppy to respect my older dog?
The Reinforce Respect Method
Exercise and play with your pup to burn off some energy then bring pup on a leash near your older dog
. When your pup notices your older dog, distract your puppy. Make a funny noise and call your puppy over. Ask him to sit or lie down and ignore the older dog.
Why does my older dog keep attacking my puppy?
Some dogs may be particularly intolerant of puppies and may get very stressed when exposed to them
. Some dogs even fear them. It could be they weren't socialized much with dogs or they simply have lower tolerance levels for certain behaviors. A dog who is stressed or fearful can bite and even severely injure a puppy.
How can I get my dog to bond with my new puppy?
- Tip #1: Have an Extra Set of Hands. …
- Tip #2: Have Separate Spaces for the Dogs for the First Week. …
- Tip #3: Reward Good Behavior. …
- Tip #4: Be Patient and Calm. …
- Tip #5: Be Aware.
Is my dog mad I got another dog?
Your dog is used to being your companion, and if there are other dogs that are taking you away, they are going to act upset, jealous, and even angry. This new puppy is also on their territory, and they may feel like their life is in jeopardy.
This behavior is perfectly normal.
Does my dog need a break from her puppies?
This is also usually the week when the milk production of the mother slows down. But before the puppies can stay away from their mother for good, they need to be healthy enough to fight any sickness or infections themselves.
The best time to separate the puppies from their mother for good is between 8-12 weeks
.
Does a dog's personality change after having puppies?
Once a dog has puppies its personality can change, at least for a time
. The hormonal fluctuations that occur during pregnancy and childbirth can take their toll and lead to nutritional deficiencies and a host of behavioral issues.
Will my dog reject her puppies if I touch them?
The handling of new puppies should be kept to a minimum, but
it's not because it will cause the mother to reject them
. In fact, veterinarians and their staff often have to handle puppies immediately after birth if the mother has complications or received a C-section.
