My puppy Bento Box has turned five months old, is in the throes of teething, and has lost his cute card with the other dogs in the house. Bringing a puppy into a multi-dog or one-dog household is going to require management. It is absolutely normal for the older dog to develop resentments and grudges against a puppy as they age and begin to test boundaries and patience. Here are some tips on how to maintain the peace and where I think most people go a bit off course.
By the nature of their age and cuteness levels, it is natural that your puppy will be commanding the lion’s share of your attention when you bring them home. This is a disruption to the established dog’s routine, not just with daily life but also with having to share you. First of all, never assume that your older dog will naturally like the puppy.
Kabuki, one of my dogs, despised Bento Box for several days once he was the only puppy left here. Not only was she jealous, but her routine was disrupted by his arrival. So I always make sure that I try as best I can to maintain the older dogs’ routines. Kabuki and I have played fetch every morning since she was a baby, and we still do. Bento is not a part of this game either. It is just Kabuki and I, with no bothersome puppy butting in.
I also did not let Kabuki loose with the puppy, hoping they would work out their differences amongst themselves. I kept their interactions short and sweet and was very rewarding with treats when Kabuki was appropriate with the puppy. Conversely, if the puppy was being inappropriate, I removed him from the situation so that she was not forced to take action. If an older, established dog in the house shows signs of true aggression towards the puppy, you must listen to them. A dog fight will ruin your chances of changing the relationship forever. Try instead walking them both side by side and rewarding positive interactions. I never leash one dog and allow another to be free. Both are on leashes.
If my dogs could speak, I would bet each of them would tell you that they believe they are my favorite because I truly do try to represent all of their individual interests. Each dog gets their own walk and their own time with me playing. While I am glad that my dogs can still all be loose together, I feel that my two older dogs need a break from the young ones, so I will put them away in their kennels to give everyone a break. I also want to ensure that Bento does not need the other dogs around him all of the time to function, so there is a “crate and rotate” schedule I keep daily.
Lastly, your older dog (or dogs) do not want to train your puppy. That is your job. My puppies certainly do mirror my older dogs’ behaviors and follow them about and learn some good things. They most often, however, learn the bad things a lot quicker. For example, Kabuki’s hatred of all brooms is now being mirrored by her little brother. I try to remember that when I need to actually sweep, one of them needs to be away.
If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at heidi@fouronthefloordogtraining.net.
Heidi Clayton started Four On the Floor Dog Training to provide positive, reward-based dog training in South Jersey. She breeds, trains and shows bull terriers under the SoraBully’s Bull Terriers kennel name. Email questions to heidi@fouronthefloordogtraining.net or learn more at https://fouronthefloordogtraining.net
