Aggression towards new pup, please help!!!

[KiowaChopper]

I have had my boxer (Kiowa) since she was 9 weeks old. She spent her whole life with a Husky who is a year older. Mostly, they got along fine, but had their daily spats. My brother moved out and brought the husky with him. I then adopted a handsome, intellegent and spunky little boy redbone coonhound, Chopper. Chopper is 8 weeks an has been with me just three days now. I didn't anticipate a problem since Kiowa lived with another dog and has played with others in the past. When Chopper first came home, we brought Kiowa outside, on a leash to introduce the pair. Her tail wagged, or nub, ...at any rate, I didn't sense any aggression. Since Chopper has been in the house, she growls a deep, mean growl everytime he is even close to her or shows me affection. I'm afraid to even let them try and play because she is coming off so aggressive. I love my girl, and have already formed a bond with my newbie, please help me find ways to get them to get along....my heart is big enough for both of these cuties!!!!

Nicole

 

[boxerdale]

i think with the length of time you've had the pup..id say that both dogs need to settle in and get used to the new change, while your pup might seem comfortable and happily settled, it sounds like your older dog is taking a bit more time adjusting. i think the way forward would be letting them both off the lead to run around together for a good hour or so to help get them well bonded, this is what we did with our two when we experienced what your describing.

hope this helps.

 

[makovach]

Something that has helped me when introducing a new dog into the home is Nothing in life is free. Its a positively reinforced training way of life. Basicly, your dog has to "work" for anything they want. When they do what you ask (Sit, Shake, Down, Speak are what i most commonly use) then they are rewarded with with what they wanted and praise. Through doing this, your dog will learn to respect you more. From my experience, when one of my dogs respected me more, they started to respect the other dogs' space and presence more.

Some things my dogs "work" for are food, treats, toys, going outside, goin on a leash, getting in a car, getting on the couch/bed ect. At first it can be a little overwhelming, but for me after a couple weeks i started doing it out of habbit, and my pups caught on quickly. With the addition of Benji (my boyfriends 2 year old pit/bulldog mix) we have had problems with my female. I started incouperating the NILIF into Benji's life style and it helped him calm down. I started being more strickt with my female making her mind and act propperly or she would be ignored. Now they are all doing great!

Another thing i would reccommed is lots and lots of exersize. The more tiered they are, the less they will pay attention to the other.

You can find more information about "Nothing in life is free" on the internet
Hope you can find something that works for you!

 

[TwoDogs]

There is a big difference between being a pup and living with an older dog, being an adult and living with another adult, and being an adult and living with a pup. Dogs behave differently at different times in their lives and just because they behaved one way to other dogs at one stage in their life doesn't mean they will automatically behave the same way to another dog during another stage of their life. It doesn't mean Kiowa is suddenly aggressive or that she won't get along with this pup at all.

How old is Kiowa? Most adults really don't like obnoxious puppy antics. Puppies are rude and aren't aware of social boundaries. When Kiowa growls at the pup, remove the pup. Make sure Kiowa has plenty of time away from the pup and a place where she can go to be alone if she wants.

Actually growling is good. It means she is warning the little guy. I would be far more worried if she gave no growl and went straight to snapping at him. See if you can prevent the things that cause the growling. Give her space around food. Call the pup away before he gets too close if she is lying comfortably on the floor, etc.

Does the pup respond to the growls by backing away or leaving her alone? If so, that is good, he's getting the right idea. If not, it is up to you to step in. Does Kiowa stop when the pup changes his behavior? If so then good. Continue to monitor and make sure the pup doesn't push her boundaries or she might feel the need to take the growling to the next level and snarl or snap at him.

Alot of older dogs with aches and pains or mobility issues will growl off a pup because they associate the rough and tumble puppy games with pain and discomfort so if Kiowa is older this might be one explaination. I wouldn't expect my grandmother to have to play with a bunch of preschoolers and I wouldn't blame her if she got cranky or nasty if they approached her to try and crawl all over her. Think of Kiowa as the same.