hello... i have just got a beautiful 8 week old staffie, i also have a old grumpy 13 year old lab. My problem is that the lab is getting very aggressive with the new pup. i cant really blame him, as the staffie,as you can imagine very playful. i would just like some advice how to make things easier, with regard to them tolerating each other. perhaps if i kept them apart until they got used to each other. (i have only had him a week) any advice would be great.. thanks.

I'd say don't panic. An older dog being asked to tolerate a sprightly youth will get a bit grumpy.

Quite apart from anything else, the pup need to learn his place in the pack in relation to the older dog, and the lab will tell him in no uncertain terms.

Unless things are really nasty, leave it alone to sort itself out. It may take 2 or 3 weeks but should calm down.

Julia & hoooligans

Hi,

I have a 13 year old x retriever and my bull terrier pup is now 5 months (had him since he was 8 wks), my oldie is grumpy with the pup, I keep them seperated with a baby gate. This also ensures that my oldie has peace and my pup bonds with me rather than the oldie! The pup does socialize with oldie but only when i supervise, that way he also understands that it is ok to be on his own sometimes as he can't follow us every where. He seems to understand that oldie can't run and play , a good time to let them socialise is after the pup has had a good walk and is not so boisterous. hopefully in time when your pup matures they will be able to spend a whole lot more time together!!

Hi,
I had the shock of my life when my laid back Lab, 3 1/2 years started growling and snapping at my new pup. I was worried and posted on here as I didn't know what to do for the best. This is perfectly normal behaviour I would say judging by my two. Now my pup is five months old and the older one still growls at him if he gets carried away, but they also play together and they do get on very well. The pup just likes to push his luck and my big boy puts him in his place. Funnily enough my pup adores my dog and trails him endlessly! I supervised them heavily at first just to make sure everything was ok and that neither got hurt.
Best Wishes
Amy

My oldie was a grump as well ! I am not surprised ! They are now all as thick as theives and snuggle together and Min the oldie actually goes upto MB and nudges her when she is sleep to wake her up and play ! She loves being the centre of antention ! I did however intervene at first as pups can be a bit too exuberant and don't know when enough is enough but they all know where they are in the pecking order now and it works fine ! :)

Lucy

Don't worry too much.When i got Amber -now 12 weeks- I had a lot of problems with Poppy my 6 year old lab snapping and growling every time amber went near her.Now though several weeks later they play together all the time, but Poppy still growls a bit when she's tired, and amber knows how to read the signals.
My other two labs Milo and Daisy were brill with her from day one, and milo even shares his toys with her which is so unbelievable as he is usually a selfish boy.
As long as you keep your eye on them all the time, i'm sure they will all find their own place in their doggy pack.Mine have, and amber thinks she is top!!!!

The thing is though this is a staffordshire bull terrier pup, and like all bull breeds they can be very over the top constantly! and the 13 years old dog needs it peace and quiet!! My pup knows it's place in the pack but will still try and get my oldie to respond just by play nipping her feet but she just hasn't got the get up and go as she had say three years ago so i would not subject her to the constant demands of a pup!!

And you really shouldn't leave a pup alone with a dog anyhow, things might get out of hand when your out and your pup could be hurt.