Help - dalmation not happy with new puppy.

[JACQSZOO]

Please help.
I have recently taken on an abondoned puppy. She is a sweetheart. My problem is one of my other dogs.
I have two other dogs, a collie x rescue bitch who is now 10 (had her since 2 months old) and a dalmation bitch who is now 9 (had her since she was 2). Both older dogs get on fine, have the occassional squabble over food. The collie x is very good with the little un even though she clearly gets on her nerves at times but she puts her in her place and is teaching her how to behave very well.
The problem lies with the dalmation she is quite unpredictable with the little un. Currently we cannot leave them alone at all, which isnt a major problem but we cannot have them both loose in the same room at th emoment.
She has always been a little unpredictable with other dogs, usually being fine with bouncy dogs but aggressive towards dogs that back off or are a bit quiet.

Is there any chance of this relationship working or should I look at rehoming the puppy?

 

[Michelle73]

I've got a Dalmatian thats a bit unpredicable with other dogs. Sounds to me like jealousy. What are they like out walking together, running in open spaces etc etc? I'd have a word with your vet/vet nurse - it was my vet nurse that helped me sort out my problems with my Dally. Good luck.

 

[AmyMay]

Jac, I'd move the puppy on.

Dalmations can be soo tricky, and suprisingly aggressive with submissive dogs (of which a puppy would count).

Do it before you have an accident.

 

[JACQSZOO]

[ QUOTE ]
Jac, I'd move the puppy on.

Dalmations can be soo tricky, and suprisingly aggressive with submissive dogs (of which a puppy would count).

Do it before you have an accident.

[/ QUOTE ]

I know Dals are tricky, though to be fair to Penny shes pretty good really. She used to be fantastic with all other dogs until we had to put her into kennels and she was never the same again. I had no idea the Dals were known to be aggresive with submissive dogs.
I was kinda hoping that lots of work on our part would help things along.
Poor little pup has had a hard start already. Thinking long term my older dogs are no spring chickens and I am worried that when one of them goes the other will be left alone and had hoped having the pup now would mean when the time came the older dog who was left would find some comfort from having a friend.

 

[Michelle73]

I think time patience etc etc will work but you need to seek the help of a professional like I did. There will probably be someone at the rescue centre that can help. My vet nurse was doing an animal behaviour course and used us as guinea pigs so it didn't cost anything. You may be lucky and find someone like that - I'd phone your vet as first port of call and he can advise you from there. Don't give up on the pup!

 

[CAYLA]

We introdce lots of puppies to our older dogs....but we do have a routine from the start....and the first is to settle the puppies into a crate within the area the older dogs reside....this means they can get used to the smell/noises and presence of the new brat arrivals

we will do this for atleast a week with the puppies in a play pen within the older dogs play area.....again the older dogs can see the puppies through the pen.

By the time we introduce the puppies to the dogs they have atleast become used to their presence......the puppies immediatley make a be-line for the older dogs...rolling on their backs to show submission or jumping up to play with them......the less tolerant dogs will bear teeth and growl......and we will immediatley step in to warn the older dog that the behaviour is un-acceptable before it gets to the stage where the puppy gets snacked......however at the same time the bearing of the teeth and growling is teaching the puppy that the older dog wont tolerate this behaviour.

A large majority of severe incidents with older dogs and puppies are caused when unsupervised.....so as long as u are always there to step in and level the balance of the older dog correcting the puppy and the puppy not going to far in the bouncing around over the top behaviour towards the older dog.

Try to tire the puppy out before the interaction with the older less tolerant dog.....so its more likely to tire out in a heap, thus giving the older dog a more positive interaction with the less exhuberant puppy.
Crate the puppy in the same are as your older dogs.....so they can become more familiar and comfortable with him being around.....and not always being boisterous and in ya face, and tase them on lots of walks together, the puppy will be much more interested in the sorroundings of the big wide world than jumping on the dogs....again this is a chance for your dalmation to bond with the puppy, and walk along side him without being pounced on.

Always give the less tolerant dog an escape route, so he can get away from the puppy when he is tired of its antics.
The puppy will eventually settle down as he/she matures and will display less over exhuberant behaviour towards the older dogs....its just a case of supervision and balance.
Remember its not a bad thing for the less tolerant dog to bear teeth and warn the puppy....just be aware that a snap froma dog that size can do some damage....if you are confident in your control over the bigger dog then little and often loose contact in the house over a period of time will gradually get them used to each other, and by giving him the option to get way from the puppy.....will give the puppy the message that he is no fun..so she is more likely to head for the other dog for play or yourself.
Introducing a new dog/puppy can often take months before it s accepted into a new pack....just dont rush it and let it happen naturally...just never force the dog to tolerate the puppy...allow him to accept it in his own time.