Advice needed (new puppy)

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reelqueen119

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Hi,

I recently brought a new puppy (who is a lab) home (about 2 weeks ago). I also have two other dogs in the home. One is a lab (8years old) and the other is half dioxin, half jack russel (4 years old). The dioxin/jack russel has, obviously, been the alpha dog sense the day we brought her home. The temperament of the older lab is very laid back, while our dioxin/ jack russel is not. She has never been extremely aggressive around other dogs (and is very attached too and somewhat protective of our older dog), but sense the puppy has come home she has been growling and bearing teeth on a regular basis. They wrestle, which seems friendly and playful and when she growls the puppy does back off. When the puppy is napping she goes over and cuddles with the puppy. Is this normal? I know that the adjustment to a new puppy is not easy but my family is debating on whether we need to step in when she growls to stop the behavior or if she is just teaching the puppy.

Another note is that the dioxin/ jack russel was a rescue (although we are unsure of her history) and she has some odd fears and behaviors. She seeks constant attention, or closeness to anybody (including our older dog).

Any advice, thoughts are welcome.
 
There is nothing wrong with an older dog teaching a puppy correct behaviour as long as it is a commensurate response. From what you say your adult dog is telling the puppy off when she's had enough with the playing and doing it with appropriate warnings (a little growl) rather than an exaggerated attack, so it all sounds fine.

If you find the adult dog does go over the top and you need to step in Time Out works really well.
 
As Booboos says, it sounds perfectly normal behaviour from an adult dog teaching a puppy some manners. Just monitor them and make sure the older dog has somewhere where she can get away from the pup. I too am intrigued by what on earth a dioxin could be?
 
The older dog needs to be able to escape the attentions of the puppy. Think single mother confined in a flat in a tower block with a couple of hyper-active children!

You could either erect a barrier in a doorway that the older dog can hop over or provide a bed for it out of puppy reach.

I have a similar problem here. Nine week old puppy intent on "killing" a six year old, both GSDs. It is the older dog that needs rescuing and if I don't step in occasionally there would be justifiable infanticide or at least a bit of baby battering, but the poor old thing has the patience of a saint!

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Perfectly normal behaviour for the Lab to be teaching the new pup what the boundaries are. Sit quietly and observe, it's fascinating watching dog behaviour.
 
My lurcher ism truly horrible to puppies but they do grow up very well socialised with other dogs and understanding dog language. She will growl and warn and if they don't back off she will knock them over and stand over them, she has never bitten one - she has never had to! So I think your terrier is doing a sterling job and you should be grateful. I would make sure they always spend time apart as well, and never leave them together when you aren't there. Lurcher has taught many hound puppies boundaries of behaviour!
 
Saneta said:
Perfectly normal behaviour for the Lab to be teaching the new pup what the boundaries are. Sit quietly and observe, it's fascinating watching dog behaviour.
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Absolutely correct! I took a bitch and a bunch of puppies (not hers) for a walk down the field. The pups were annoying the bitch and she suddenly spun around and flattened one, to the horror of my young kennel maid. I told the girl to go and pick up the pup and examine it for saliva as if it had been bitten there would be evidence. There was none, of course, as the pup had not been bitten, just given a shock.

BUT it is the last straw that breaks the camel's back and I have known an older dog kill a pup (at least two cases) when it was continually annoyed and had no escape.
 
Thanks everyone for the advice.. Sorry for the confusion. I wrote this on my phone and didn't realized it corrected doxin (dachshund) . Once again, thank you everyone for the advice!
 
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