Help with puppy & older dog

[Luna2006]

Back in March we bought Penny home (Cocker Spaniel). As to be expected, her and our older dog (cockapoo, also a girl) didn't really get along. Our older dog turnt 6 at the start of this month, all she really does is growl and walk away from puppy, until earlier there was lots of loud yelping from both dogs however neither were hurt or shaken and they were separated immediately.
When puppy begins to annoy older dog they are seperated and they are only really together when we are also in the room/garden with them.
They are fine together when out on walks or when they are down the yard together but truthly we really don't know what to do with them at home! Both are good with other dogs and the puppy likes older dog - it's older dog who doesn't like her!
We are going to speak to the dog trainer when we go to puppy class at the weekend but would really like if anyone can offer some ideas on what to do?

 

[CorvusCorax]

Are these things happening near doorways, furniture, or over food or toys etc? I'd be giving them both their own distinct beds or mats. Ask your trainer about place training.

 

[Luna2006]

No just in general really. They have therir own toys/bowls/beds etc but neither are protective over anything. If Penny tries to take one of older dogs toys we will always take it off her and give it back to older dog, but she isn't bothered at all. The only toy older dog is even the slightest bit protective over is her tennis ball, but again when we're out walking or at the yard she will never try to take it off of Penny should she get a hold of it, she will always wait for us to take it off of Penny and then give it back and vice versa - Penny doesn't try to take the ball from Pippa, she only gets it if its been dropped or thrown and Pip hasn't noticed!

 

[Clodagh]

I accept that this sounds as though it has escalated and I agree an expert is the way forward, but I wouldn't be taking toys off the young dog and giving them to the older one. I feel sorry for our older dogs that the puppy mugs them but that is life and they just have to deal.
That is all I feel qualified enough to comment on!

 

[Thistle]

Is the older dog just making alot of noise or is she injuring the pup. It could be that you need to let them sort themselves out, just stepping in if things escalate, rather than splitting them at first sign of a problem. The older dog is the boss, pup needs to learn the house rules, if pup oversteps the mark older dog tells it off.

If pup steals a toy let them be, the only way she'll learn what to leave alone is for the older dog to tell her, they are probably fairly matched in size. They need to sort this out before the pup gets any older and loses 'puppy immunity' from being truly hurt by the older dog.

My dogs sometimes sound as though they are killing each other, there is rarely any damage, it's mostly play and play fighting, however they all know the rules.

 

[MissTyc]

We had similar issues with our puppy and older dog. We allow the older to correct the puppy for annoying her to trying to take her things. We don't allow the older dog to correct the puppy for imaginary rules. No one has their own bed. There are beds to go round during the day and at night puppy is in crate, out of the way. No one has their own toys - they have to share, although possession = ownership in any given play session. It's helped manage them. Our trainer said from the start to make sure that everything in the house - beds, toys, doorways, food, leads, attention, everything - belong to us, the humans. We can chose to share with one or the other dog or with both. It's been a learning curve but they have both become more patient. The older dog, almost 10, has learned to tolerate a bit of annoying puppy when it's in good humour. When puppy turns into a Gremlin, we remove him so she can have her peace. She now only corrects him when he REALLY breaks the rules such as leaping on her while she's sleeping! The other times, she walks away and we take responsibility for removing him so he can't bother her for a bit. I think puppies idolise the older dogs but it's a bit much for them sometimes.

ETA: In response to your what to do with them at home ... Honestly, we ended up tether training the puppy much earlier than I would have just so I can tie them both up away from each other. Puppy tied to his crate, older dog tied to a radiator. It's been a life saver. Probably not the dog version of "BHS" but needs must and now when I unclip them they both interact much more nicely after a time out.

 

[Luna2006]

Thanks for everyones replies! Our older dog prefers to just run off rather than do anything about it so when all the yelping started earlier it was just a bit of a shock for everyone lol, @Thistle older dog is literally just growling hasn't bitted or touched her once except for earlier when she may have finally told her off for annoying her (taken 3 months of just growling!)
I don't think it helps that Pip is such a pushover (penny tries to get in her bed, pip will just lay on the floor, penny tries to drink at the same time, pip just walks away). Tethering sounds like a good idea as Penny does seem oblivious half the time.

 

[{97702}]

I've just got a very puppy-like rescue lurcher with 3 older dogs, and I have to say that that things have turned out like I've expected. She will try and rag the other 3 to play, she is slightly protective of her toys (not nearly as bad as the rescue made out fortunately!) so I have been really careful with the main 3 flash points - food, toys and confined spaces. I knew she would have a scrap with the most arguementative of my bitches and they drew 'first blood' (a minor nick to the older dogs gum) last night when they disagreed. I always ensure that there are never any toys left lying around, and luckily none of my gang have preferred beds (I.e. Sofas!) so all is fine there too.

My big dog has been the most reluctant to put the youngster in her place so I have been careful to intervene if she is annoying him - otherwise I feel they need to sort out their own behaviour parameters to some extent?

 

[pippixox]

i have not got a huge amount of puppy experience- but we fostered a collie 7 month old, and he did push things with our 2 year old girl. But as a whole we left them to it! I do agree 'time outs' are good sometimes, but if they don't have to sort out their relationship it could get worse, as you cant always be there to step in.

I don't want to be too negative- with help and time they should be fine. But my friends bitch could not cope with a puppy they got when she was around 3- she became withdrawn. they ended up rehoming the puppy to a friend. she was great with dogs on walks, but wanted to be an only dog in the house.

 

[CorvusCorax]

I wouldn't have any toys lying around to be fought over and I'd feed them apart to minimise rowing. As mentioned all the toys and food belong to you, I'm sure you have receipts and you decide when and in what fashion they are played with.

If your older dog is excusing herself then I'd look at something like a stair gate or a physical barrier where she can take herself off without being bothered by the younger one.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

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This is an old thread, it's to be hoped the OP has already got it sorted.