6yr old Boxer Hates New Pup

[BoxerSC]

In my love of dogs, I bought a 12 wk old male Boxer pup (Dominic) home to my 6yr old neutered male Boxer (Harley)and my 8yr old spayed female English Springer mix (Abbey). Harley has viciously attacked the pup once when we were trying to get a picture of them together. Harley has been walking around here like a silver back Gorilla. I watch for the stare and the stiff postering to call him off any thought of going after Dominic. I can read Harley well, thank goodness.

My question is, will anything change after the pup is neutered or does Harley simply not like him? We just brought Dominic home on Monday. So, it's only been 4 days. I refuse to allow any bullying at all within the 3 dogs and just need a few pointers on how to ease Harley's tension.

Thank You

 

[Jan]

It has only been four days. Give it some more time. It can often take dogs awhile to warm up to each other. I would keep them separated unless you can watch them.

Good luck!

 

[Caney Creek]

Creek was also 6 yrs old when we brought Caney home. Creek didn't like it ONE bit! She went after Caney and flipped her over a few times once; Caney wasn't hurt, thank goodness, but I wondered whether it would get better.... and it did. Little by little, Creek accepted the new addition. She still didn't want much to do with her for a while, but as Caney grew and got big enough to rough-house with, Creek warmed up to her more and more and started to see her as a playmate rather than a little brat. I think it will get better.... just give it time. Don't let him take it too far as to cause any harm to the puppy. And remember to give your older guy LOTS of attention so he knows he still comes first.

 

[BoxerSC]

Thank you for your replies.

Yes, I am at home all day with the dogs and when I have to slip out, my daughter and son inlaw are here to supervise.

I have been praising Harley for being good when Dominic gets in his space and he has been good today, but I won't let my guard down. Harley has done this a few times in the past with my other dogs where his aggressive tendencies come out once in a very blue moon. I was just hoping he just doesn't down right dislike the puppy. I thought I was getting him a Boxer buddy. :P

 

[Taliesyn88]

Hi,

Just be very careful. With just 2 dogs, and the one being a 6 year old boxer, he feels threatened by the puppy. Make sure you give everybody equal attention. I have gone thru this several times, 2 with older adopted dogs, and one with my new puppy Buddy.

A puppy is easier to get used to than bringing older dogs into the household. My dogs all get along as long as I am around, but I have had several fights and have learned the hard way to keep them separated when I cannot supervise. Some days they all play together like pals, and this can go on for several weeks, and then a fight would erupt and all Hell would break loose. After several vet bills and severe stress from breaking up dog fights, I have come to the conclusion to keep them separate when I am not around.

Your boxer may warm up to the puppy and they may be the best of friends. I thought that too when I brought the other dogs in. Just be very careful, and do not take anything for granted. Right now Buddy plays with Koady and Jasper, the other 2 older dogs just diss him. I still make sure that they are never left together alone, because disaster could strike at any minute.

I am telling you this because my 2 older boxers killed a pit bull puppy that I had. They all were together and were the best of friends, until the pit got a little older. I left for the day and came back that night, only to find my poor puppy dead. When I asked my vet, she told me that this is common in pack activity, although myself I had never heard of such a horrible thing. Mabye I am just being too cautious but I do not want the same thing to happen to your puppy. Older male dogs even tho they are neutered, have a pack hierarchy. All of my animals are neutered and they are still aggressive towards each other.

This does not happen all of the time, but only when I least expect it. That is why my dogs are separated when I am not at home to supervise.

 

[SILLY6PAK]

I would worry if it doesn't improve soon. Usually older dogs are more tolerant of pups and grow less friendly as the pup grows.

That said I also think it is completely normal for beginnings to be rocky. My Hope has aggresive tendencies. I can NEVER leave Jessie alone with her.