New puppy questions.

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gable

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Baby Boo (8week old JRT) - she has settled in really well. Very few house training issues - settled in her crate at night - cries a bit during the day but settles quickly. Very pleased with her...but...

She is a monkey with my 5 year old border collie.

1. She would rather eat older dogs food rather than her own.
2. she steals older dogs toys, even though she has lots.
3. She chases older dog and snaps at her mouth - older dog being very tolerant. I give a low, loud growl and split them up when play looks like its getting rough.

They are never left unsupervised. I want them to bond but not sure if pup is trying to be top dog. Should I let older dog tell her off?

I have always had dogs, they have always been well trained and have impeccable manners - but have never had 2 at the same time.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance
 
1. Feed them seperately for now
2. Toys do not belong to dogs, they belong to you and they do not have constant access to them, you instigate the play, play with the dog on a one to one basis, take them away when you are done.
Don't let them share toys or give her the opportunity to steal the other's toys.
3. That's puppy behaviour, she is asking your older dog to regurgitate food.

I wouldn't get too wound up over dominance problems, she is a baby and has just come out of a litter of siblings so she thinks she has to fight for everything and it will take a while for her to adjust and learn.
Like I say, don't give her the *opportunity* to do these things.
 
All CC says..........and give her a window of time to eat puppy food, give your elder a window of time to, if u are add libbing at present, otherwise u will get puppy scranning the add lib stuff.

Toys obs best in box where u have them and get them out when u have time to play with her and kep her occupied to save the other dogs sanity, when u dont have time put her in the crate and let her empty a knog, chew a pigs ear that type of thing, and swap and change to prevent boredom of same treats.
 
is there somewhere your collie can go when she is fed up? alot of her behaviour is just typical terrier puppy naughtiness (i have a litter of 6 at the mo, very bored now)

when we have puppies about the other dog in the house goes back onto puppy food anyway, but she is very good at establishing the pecking order. i would definitely let your older dog establish itself, how else will puppy learn. older dogs tend to understand puppies are annoying and if they need to, will tell them to back off. probably with some kind of pee-d off growlybark, puppy will probably yelp and hide for a bit and then carry on regardless.
 
When pup annoys collie, collie growls and snaps at her - daft pup comes back for more!

Have just done some 'work' with collie and pup at same time. I was hoping this would teach them both to tolerate each other and concentrate on me when I tell them to. If that makes sense. Both seemed very patient when it was the other ones turn,

Collie had to leave, down etc - the stuff she already knows but enjoys showing off for chicken. Pup had to sit and leave for her treat.

Seemed to work a treat - pup realised the chicken is mine until I give it to her. (collie is very obidient and used to this kind of work.)

Both are now fast asleep at opposite ends of the room.

I really want to get this right. Collie is such a good dog, I don't want to ruin her by bringing another dog in the house - but also wanted a companion for her.

Any other 'bonding' tips would be appreciated.
 
That sounds great but remember to do lots of one to one with the pup on her own as well.

I wouldn't worry **too** much if it is just air-snapping, that is a normal element of dog play, but just keep an eye on them if you think the growling or body language is getting too much.

You won't ruin anything, imagine if there was a new person in your house, of course it would take a while to get used to them and settle into a new routine.
 
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