New here, want to say hi & ask a ? (this is long)

[Melody Federico]

Hi all! I've been lurking around for a couple of weeks, almost as long as I've had my new puppy. I've really enjoyed looking at all of your pups and reading about them and what you're doing to train them. This is a wonderful site, and you all seem to be full of great information so I thought I'd pick your brains if you don't mind.

Just got a new puppy (Molly), female, lab/dane mix, 8 wks old today. I have a 11.5 year old female cocker spaniel (Irie) too. They were getting along ok until about 3 or 4 days ago, now all they do is fight. The puppy just tackles her and bites her mercilessly and finally the cocker gets fed up and bites her back. Since the cocker is already "almost" smaller than the puppy I don't know if I should let her assert herself or stop the fighting all together.

Now some interesting background on the puppy. She's already trained to sit and potty outside. She comes when called for the most part, and responds to her name and even to NO sometimes. She's really intelligent and super sweet to my husband and myself, however she's super jealous of my cocker. What should we do?

[Nikki Jackson]

remember that the older one was there 1st and should get 1st priority (always the top dog) 1st treat, 1st pat on the head, etc, etc. You have to remain that chain or there will be future problems. Also remand ur puppy when they get out of hand, since there is a size difference, the older one will correct (leave me alone) with a growl and when the puppy doesn't listen that's when there is a problem, you step in and correct puppy to leave the other one alone. Good one is if the older one growls, puppy ignores, you quickly get puppies attention by saying "Listen" (meaning listen to the other dog) and when puppy backs off, "good listen". Hope this helps.

[Melissa Brunoehler]

Hi Melody!

Welcome! Until approximately 4 months of age puppies have what is considered a “puppy license”. During this time older dogs will let puppies get away with a lot- much more than if the puppy were older! At this young age your little girl will be able to learn quite a bit from your older dog. However because your older dog is getting up there in age please give her much needed breaks from the little one. It is also important that each dog receive quality one on one time with just you and/or husband. This can be obedience practice, leash walk, games, etc.

Here is an awesome article that talks about the puppy license & pack hierarchy http://www.clickersolutions .com/articles/2001/dominance.htm

Rather than worry about which dog is “top dog” put yourself & husband in position as your dogs’ benevolant leader by implementing NILIF.
Please click here to read about NILIF
http://www.doggiebagonline. com/articles/article.php?articlei d=15


The dynamics of dog-to-dog relationship is quite complex and people often erroneously believe that one dog should always be rewarded over the other. Unfortunately this is not true & can damage the relationship between owner & dog and the relationship between the dogs. Instead the dog that does the appropriate behavior first should be the one that gets rewarded first. If either dog is pushy, demanding attention from you or your husband, ignore that behavior.

If you have any other questions, please ask.

Hi all! I've been lurking around for a couple of weeks, almost as long as I've had my new puppy. I've really enjoyed looking at all of your pups and reading about them and what you're doing to train them. This is a wonderful site, and you all seem to be full of great information so I thought I'd pick your brains if you don't mind.

Just got a new puppy (Molly), female, lab/dane mix, 8 wks old today. I have a 11.5 year old female cocker spaniel (Irie) too. They were getting along ok until about 3 or 4 days ago, now all they do is fight. The puppy just tackles her and bites her mercilessly and finally the cocker gets fed up and bites her back. Since the cocker is already "almost" smaller than the puppy I don't know if I should let her assert herself or stop the fighting all together.

Now some interesting background on the puppy. She's already trained to sit and potty outside. She comes when called for the most part, and responds to her name and even to NO sometimes. She's really intelligent and super sweet to my husband and myself, however she's super jealous of my cocker. What should we do?

[Melody Federico]

I knew if I asked...

Thank you so much, it makes me feel better to know that they PROBABLY won't be fighting like this forever and that Irie will eventually stand up for herself. The info is much appreciated!

Thanks again... :D

[Laura Redhawk]

Hi Melody!
Melissa gave you some EXCELLENT advice and leads to follow up on!

Another think to keep in mind is that having gotten this charming pup at 8 weeks of age...means that she lost out on some "home grown" training that her Mother dog and sibs would have given her.

Between the ages of about 4 to 12 weeks puppies are developed enough to start HURTING Mom, when nursing, and each other when they bite too hard or get too rough in their playtimes. When this happens, Mom lays down the law pronto! Usually, Mama will REMOVE herself from their not so tender attentions...the lesson is: DO THIS and I'll LEAVE! Occasionally, she will yip or even give a slight growl...it's VERY RARE that she will nip or issue "capital punishment" pretty much unheard of in my experience, leaving is the primary punishment.

In playtime together, sibs will issue an EAR PIERCING YIP OR SCREAM like a banshee! lol Again, the message is clear...YOU JUST HURT ME!!!!! Play is quickly suspended in most cases, OR the offended puppy will turn and provide a likely supper nip right back to the offender...again quick message...game over!

Now...your Cocker, has NO CLUE why you would choose to impose such a "horrible experience" on what was, until now an ideal and tranquil life of domestic bliss...what WERE you thinking?!! <wink> Sharing a home with a puppy, when you've been the "only dog" for even a much YOUNGER dog is a challenge in most cases, even if the original dog is normally the friend of all other dogs met at the park or on the street. Outside friendship is not the same as the little bugger coming HOME and STAYING...eeek..."why is THIS mess here, quick, lets flush it!"

Following Melissa's suggestions will put you in a perfect spot to help your older dog feel SPECIAL again. Anytime we train with +R we are not only teaching a behavior, we are setting the animal up for SUCCESS, providing attention and ENRICHMENT opportunities for positive growth and general good feelings emotionally.

Try to remember, it's not just that you want to STOP the behaviors of aggression, you want to REDIRECT the dogs to doing something that is acceptable...this will stop the undesired behavior, and with practice, lead to a faster "stop" when the "wrong" behavior starts up!

Be sure both dogs are getting active play, and training time SEPARATE from each other. Each one gets to be the "Star" of the show. The elderly Cocker may not want to have but so much of an active playtime...some quiet massage may meet her needs far better.

Lastly, remember, the old girl may very well be starting to experience some physical discomforts that you simply are not aware of...this is not uncommon as dogs are masterful at hiding many discomforts until they are much more painful..and one day we DO notice them. Joint pain, neck, back, legs, and mouth/tooth pain will cause even the most sweet tempered dog to feel more inclined to stop a puppy "play/attack" with as much force as deemed needful to halt it immediately.

From Irie's point of view...this is a "whole lota not right!" Hopefully, it will all get better in time, with your support.
Wags
Laura


Hi all! I've been lurking around for a couple of weeks, almost as long as I've had my new puppy. I've really enjoyed looking at all of your pups and reading about them and what you're doing to train them. This is a wonderful site, and you all seem to be full of great information so I thought I'd pick your brains if you don't mind.

Just got a new puppy (Molly), female, lab/dane mix, 8 wks old today. I have a 11.5 year old female cocker spaniel (Irie) too. They were getting along ok until about 3 or 4 days ago, now all they do is fight. The puppy just tackles her and bites her mercilessly and finally the cocker gets fed up and bites her back. Since the cocker is already "almost" smaller than the puppy I don't know if I should let her assert herself or stop the fighting all together.

Now some interesting background on the puppy. She's already trained to sit and potty outside. She comes when called for the most part, and responds to her name and even to NO sometimes. She's really intelligent and super sweet to my husband and myself, however she's super jealous of my cocker. What should we do?