I picked up my German Shepherd puppy from the breeder on Monday night and my current German Shepherd isn't warming to her at all. She isn't acting out, biting or anything like that... she just seems sad and keeps avoiding the puppy and going to lay upstairs out of the way. It's breaking my heart to see her like this and now I don't know what to do.

Gosh. It's very early days. I am sure she will come round. It's like having a second baby. Everyone has a lot of readjustment to do. Good luck.

My older dog blanked the younger ones, as they each arrived in turn, for about a week. Then she decided it was a really good idea and began to play with them. It is very early, I'm sure she will be fine with the pup in time, just make sure she gets lots of 'you' time. A pup is a pretty big brick in her pond.

It is early days and your original dog is being a good girl.   Adults generally know not to attack puppies, but if pushed too hard, might.   Puppy teeth hurt!!   This situation is up to you to control starting with setting up a quiet place for your original dog to retreat to and using a crate for the puppy when you can't supervise.   Correct the puppy if she's obviously bugging your older girl, not the older one.   And don't leave them alone together at all yet.   Feed separated also as food and toys can be a trigger.    Once your existing dog sees you are controlling this situation, she should start to settle down with this invader.   But not yet.

Although we didn't have any of this with those puppies we'd bred and decided to keep, when down to the last of our bloodline, we bought in a puppy Whippet.   And my old boy retreated to his chair fast, especially when she had the zoomies.   To be truthful, he wasn't ever really impressed with her, but they did manage to live together for his final months.   And then we started over again with another Basset coming in to be with her but he was 4 months and not a silly puppy.   I don't remember having any problems with either of them early on.

Many adult dogs do not like puppies!  They are fast, rude, annoying, and pointy   Give it time.  make sure your older girl can get away if she needs to, and intervene if puppy is being too pushy.  When I got my last pup it took some of mine a couple of weeks to warm to her and some months.

My lad wasn't overjoyed the first day with my puppy, I found ensuring he knew my love and attention for him was not going to change, it made it easier for him. I also found what helped enormously was to sit on the floor with my right hand play with the pup and my left involve him, it took two days for him to initiate play with her, and now they're fine. Yes he will remove himself if he needs to, and even crumble at her when she's too over the top. He bless him is fantastic with her.

It's new for your girl too. She suddenly has to share her space and you with a young,energetic puppy. Your puppy finds it all new away from her mom her siblings and new bigger dog to live with.
It's hard work with one puppy let alone adding a puppy with existing dog and expecting overnight for them to be happy with each other. If you bring a new baby home a toddler will react the same either demanding attention by going back to baby ways or withdrawing.  It's up to you how you deal with this. Have you a crate? When puppy away you make time for your older girl? Playtime still with her on her own and times when you let puppy and your girl have time together but step in  if things get hairy!
I read on here an older dog will put a puppy in its place re nipping and lots here have more than one dog together.
I'd love another puppy and I know it will be a big change in house. Stair Gates, routine and patience will I hope help the first few months less traumatic.
Hoping your girl and puppy over time enjoy each others company and you enjoy both of them x

GSP did you find it easier having a girl puppy with an older boy? I'm hoping to add a second to our household but uncertain whether to have a boy or girl next?
Great point re the toys in each hand.

I have three boys and can't see ever getting a girl in the mix - I really wouldn't want to upset the mix having female hormones included!  But some seem to manage having mixed sexes!

Regarding the older dog sulk - I had an older dog who always used to sulk and keep well out the way then suddenly they would be cuddling and playing as if always been there.

Our latest addition the middle dog took a good couple of weeks to warm to his son arriving - evenings he wouldn't join us in the lounge - was down and fed up - but I made sure he got plenty of fuss so he didn't feel pushed out - but then he just accepted he was obviously staying and got on with it!  now they play and enjoy each others company :)  Whereas my oldest was hey a new puppy!  You just don't know how they will react!

My older dog was not impressed when the puppy came.  Four years on he has accepted that the youngster is staying, but does not cuddle up, nor respond to play-initiation although he will play-bow to other people's dogs.  He spent a lot of pup's first year sulking when he could, and gathering up as many of the puppy toys as he could and hiding them in his bed (he has his own toys as well). Youngster has hero-worshipped oldster from the start, would love to cuddle but it never happens, when he sits beside him on one of their beds, the older one gets up and walks away. 

This in spite of my making sure the older one had cuddles, special times, and activities with me as well as with pup.

Over the last year they have started to sniff the same smells together on walks and in the garden, so there may be some sort of thaw coming on.

They are all different, and there is no way to explain things to them.

My Bearded Collie bitch was 2 years old when I picked up another bitch from the next litter.  So, her half sister.  Myfanwy lived behind the settee for a fortnight until it dawned on her that pupster had come to stay!  My delight was when they went running on the beach together and they had that daft Beardie smile on their faces.  I've never had a new arrival not accepted.  It just takes time..

I don't know why, but I thought that because they were both German Shepherds, the initial meeting would be easier. Gem (my 3 year old GSD) is just avoiding Leia (new puppy) like the plague. Puppy keeps nipping at her (we are correcting this behavior, but there's only so much an 8 week old takes in) and it's so sad to see her sad like this. The breeder did say to phone her if we had any issues, but I don't know whether to leave it a while longer or what?

Forgot to mention, I'm having a bit of trouble bonding with the puppy, too. I'm a complete dog lover and have to pet every single dog I see whether it's 10 weeks old or 10 years old - I've had dogs my entire life and loved each and every one of them, but, with this one, I'm having a hard time bonding with her.

Hi Saxonjus,
Having had a bitch and a dog, I personally would have preferred a boy,as I find them extremely loving, the girls are loving but in a more independent way. When I sadly lost my older girl ( who I miss dreadfully, as does my lad) I initially thought I'd get a boy pup, anyway I put a lot of thought in to which would fit in better, particularly where my lad is concerned, he is not neutered and I felt when the juvenile stage kicked in with the pup I could have issues, so I got a little girl : )
Thank you 're our toy game, it worked so well for me, doing things at there level : )

Hi Kirsty
My guess is it maybe because your older dog is not bonding with your new addition yet and its rubbing off on your emotions, it can be very stressful if your resident dog doesn't take to a new addition. My other half was not at all impressed with the bonding the first day, second day, the other half would not relax, so in the end I said to him, you've got to chill, getting het up is not helping either dog or ME lol. Relaxing around them works wonders.

Kirsty it took 18 months before my staffy accepted my rottie and even then it was grudgingly.  It takes time and things will be more time consuming but it will be worth it.  Stick with it and it should work out if you put the work in.

Hi Kirsty,

A year after I got my puppy my older dog now tolerates him, they don't play etc and never have done.

I gave most of my attention to my older dog but please do try and bond with the puppy as you really may live regretting this if you don't.

It will take time, I never thought mine would get on but they do now.

I promise your older dog will adjust in time....but please spend time on your own with it, but it is so important to bond with the puppy.

Annee

I think it's important to show both dogs they have a safe place, and their own time with you, so I have crates and puppy pens to separate in the same room.  I can give attention to both whilst ensuring the resident dog/s have their own space and the attention they're used to, puppy gets time, attention, safety and sleep (they'll often forget to if not ) &  they get  increasing amounts of time together depending on how their relationship works.
As for bonding - IMHO it takes time to develop, possibly even more so when you're worried about your existing dog's reactions.  I'd take time to observe/get to know your pup and don't expect too much from either your resident dog or yourself - and definitely not your pup who'll be confused about new surroundings and people and animals.  It takes time.

Thank you all for your responses. I think I just had a mini freak out and got a bit overwhelmed with it all. Hopefully things will go well - I will update!

Pretty normal behaviour I'd expect her to be like that for at least a week, but maybe several.

She will gradually warm to the pup, or simply accept her, and you will one day find her starting to play with her, when she thinks your not looking.

Even though all mine are born here, it takes a while for the ones who aren't Mum to accept the latest pup is staying.

My adults are a mixed bunch, the older males tend to ignore & avoid puppies like the plague, the bitches are nosey rather than unfriendly & my younger males revert to puppyhood & enjoy their new playmate.
Eventually the bitches come round & even though none have had a litter themselves, teach the puppy their manners & behaviour.
The older males tend to be like Victor Meldrew

I have been so lucky with my new additions just slotting into the pack, my 2 GSD's just loved babies and would try to wash and mother them, telling them off when they pushed their luck biting ears and tails, my boys were just delighted to have a new playmate and the main problem would be keeping the little one out of rough play danger. You will find your 2 settle down and probably become the best of friends in time, as with all the good advice make sure the older girl has some special time and involve her in the new pup's training if you can. I did an experiment years ago with my border collie puppy, I would line up the older dogs and get them to do a behaviour/trick for a treat and see if the puppy learned by watching. Surprisingly it did work to an extent and his face as he watched the others sit or lie down and get a treat was a picture, he was pretty quick to pick it up although my dog club trainer thought I was bonkers.

> I did an experiment years ago with my border collie puppy

People don't realise just how puppies copy the adults they come to live with.  I find it particularly useful in helping with toilet training.  The first time I witnessed it was a delight.  Great big Bearded Collie squats for a wee.  Tiny little Yorkshire Terrier girl squats by the side of her.  Look! I can do it too.  I firmly believe that it has helped enormously in my household and it is much appreciated. 

Facebook Replies:

Tracy Wall says: Give it time....I fetched my sausage dog pup and I have 3 other dogs..It's taken time...but they are now best friends. ..took around 4 weeks xx

Jane Jones says: This happened to our cocker when we brought our new cocker puppy home and the vet said it was due to a change in routine for the older dog. Just make sure he gets lots of fuss off visitors first before pup and our vet advised 'alone' time. They now get on great.


Alison Ogilvie says: We had a very similar reaction when we brought home our Labrador puppy. Our Golden Retriever would leave the room any time he came in. After about 3 weeks she came round and they became best pals. Give them time - it's still early days