Hi all!

Just after a bit of advice please...

I got an 8 week old Weimer bitch puppy on Thursday, and already have an 11yo Weimer bitch. The oldie tends to growl at the pup when the pup tries to greet her, even when she's doing it calmly. The oldie has also started barking at her.

How can you tell if she's being aggressive or whether she's just telling the pup she's boss?

Any tips on helping the 2 to get along will be much appreciated!

Thank you

Let the old girl be able to get away from the pup, so any interaction is entirely ion her terms.

Young pups like small children can make dogs unused to them very uncomfortable.

An extreme example, a friend had a Dobe bitch who didn't do pups at all,a and had been known to really go for one, but once they reached a more dog size she mothered and loved them.

Most just find pups irritating and can't see the point of them, as at that stage they are pests more than companions, especially with a  dog who has been an only dog so not feeling the need for constant canine companionship.

My foundation bitch could take or leave canine company, on the other hand her daughter would not have been good as an only dog, never having been.

Hi

Your pup will take a lot of your time and attention so it's a good idea to make sure the older dog still gets some one to one time with you.  When the pup is napping is a good idea.

Our older dog is a very sociable boy but even he used to find the pup annoying, he'd also freeze in position when the pup was being over enthusiastic so we'd often encourage him to leave if he was looking 'put upon'.  Baby gates are brilliant for this - I'd often find my two communicating through bars and when the pup got too silly my older dog would take a small step back.  When the pup was calmer, he'd come forward again.  Very sweet :)

I wouldn't force any interraction.  Sometimes the barking is a plea for you to help - "Take this thing away from me" - so an exit opportunity is always a good thing. You'll probably find they simply get used to each other and develop a relationship that both are comfortable with.   I swear my older dog spent the first year waiting for the pup to go 'home' !!

I had a similar thing a few weeks ago, I bought a pup into a house where my 8 year old had been the only dog. She really didn't take to him but the advice you've had is spot on. I've given my older girl lots of time, whilst also praising her for positive behaviour around the puppy. She has needed her own space but this week we've had a breakthrough and they've been sleeping next to each other - hurrah!
My girl will tell the puppy when he gets too much with a bark and the odd growl when he's being exceptionally boisterous. It's never been nasty and I've tried to control how close he gets too.

Good Luck, it definitely gets easier :-)

> I swear my older dog spent the first year waiting for the pup to go 'home' !!

:-)  :-)  :-)

all the advice you've been given is really good.
like people have said it'a a case of time and not forcing anything, plenty of time away from each other and stair gates really help as they can see but not touch.
your new pup needs to learn not to jump on your older dog and i found distraction the best way, using treats or toys. this way your far more fun than the other dog.
as time goes by and you train the pup you'll use useful commands like 'leave it' etc so you can call the pup away.
also walking them together but not letting the pup to near the other dog is good for bonding but much easier with two of you, so you can have a dog each.
don't expect too much too soon, it's taken a few months for my last two dogs to bond and a lot of patience but finally they get on really well.