New puppy extremely jealous of older dog.

[Molly'sMama]

Our 8.5 week old cocker has decided to get very very jealous whenever we give our JRT a little cuddle. She leaps in,tries to push her away,barks at her etc

JRT -Who doesnt have a rep for normally being the most dog -friendly,if we're honest - seems like shes trying to be civil,and is growling ,but not as much as she could,if you know what I mean?But the cocker really hasnt gotten the hint and continues to just pee her off.

We dont really know what to do :L JRT has kind of shrunk into herself,sleeping upstairs, not coming for as many cuddles.
Want to train her to behave ,and respect the JRT but shes really not listening.

Tried giving her 'time out' , not sure how that worked, advice is recieved very gratefully

thank you!

 

[CAYLA]

Dont withdraw attention from the jrt and equally dont make it her job to eventually snap (unless you want her to learn in doggy terms) not alway a bad thing but not pleasant for the dog being pestered.

At these times can you not distract the puppy by tiring her out so the jrt can see her in a more relaxed state and not an irritating pestering state (stuffed kong) your partner playing with a retrieving toy whist you snuggle with the jrt. She is 8 weeks and she will settle at some stage but now she is a bounding, bundle of energy, she will settle in time but rules also need to be taught.
Time out is great for an older dog if you keep at it and dont give in, repeat it as much as you need to, and never speak to her (just place her out) and repeat aslong as it takes! but with such a young pup maybe more teaching puppy must associate that pestering, bark = (no human attention at all) she needs to know her demanding gets her know where. Place her out or block her advances to come near when she is acting this way but equally give her something to occupy her and burn off her energy, either a chewey (chewing tires) aswell as play) otherwise the elder is going to resort to a life of solitude.

I have to say at this age the tiring her or occupying her may work better than time out as she is a bit young and better for the elder dog to get some peace and cuddles.

 

[Red30563]

At 8 and a half weeks, I'm assuming your new puppy has only been with a you a very short time. She will be missing her litter mates and her mum. Her world has changed enormously and she needs to adjust. So I wouldn't call it jealously when she muscles in on some cuddles. She is only doing what is used to do with her brothers and sisters, and finding comfort when she is anxious.

Your other dog is probably just growling to give a warning and say 'This is my human time'.

If your puppy is feeling any separation anxiety you may exacerbate it by isolating her with a 'time out'. How about trying a 'puppy comforter' - heated soft toys that even come with a heart beat to sooth the pup. If your little one can get used to lying somewhere with the comforter (maybe in her bed but in the same room as you), it will give you a chance to fuss and cuddle your older dog on its own. Then give the puppy her turn with a real human.

 

[Alec Swan]

Cockers are curious creatures, I've found. Your puppy's demands are a way of putting you in your place. In your shoes, I'd would put your new puppy in its place, firmly.

Alec.

 

[CAYLA]

I agree with red too, its probably less jelousy but more you raising the attention of the older when you fuss her and pup becoming interested and wanting some interaction probably with the elder dog, but still the elder needs a break, so look into not directly attention giving but more energy burning and pre occupying (taking her attention of you and elder dog at cuddle time)