Hello all,

In a few weeks, I’ll be bringing a new pup into the house (Male, Doberman, 8 weeks old), and I was wondering what sort of reaction I should expect from the dog we already have (Female, Jack Russell-and-something-else-cross, 3.5 years old).

I assume it’s a better mix than 2 dogs of the same sex, and I’d guess that a lot of it is down to the individual animal, but what sort of things in general? Will it be aggressive towards the pup, seeing it as some sort of threat, or will the maternal instincts kick in, and the older dog start to mother the pup?

Or should I expect something in-between – disinterested, like my two cats were when the Jack Russell first arrived? :)

I can’t see the bitch not being interested, as she’s into everything and always on the go, but I’m not sure whether once the novelty wears off, the pup will be seen as a play mate, or a threat.

Many thanks for any advice,

Stewart.

Dogs are individuals-no one can say how they'll react till the event happens.Take the introductions slowly and carefully and see what happens.
Archer

True, but do bitches ever mother other pups? If so, is it a common occurance?

They do, but may be not in the way you will be expecting. Most bitches reaction to a pup is to put it in its place and to keep repeating the exercise till the pup has got the message.

Hi Stu,
Is your bitch spayed or entire?
:)

At present she's entire, although we are getting it done soon.

If she's entire, she may become very maternal with him - but then again, she may think he's horrid! Best thing is to introduce them out of doors, with your bitch on a lead. She will probably try to bowl the pup over, or he may go over on his own accord...if he does that, all should be well and she'll accept him. But supervise them all the time they're together for at least a week, just to be on the safe side. You don't want either of them hurt, or your bitch to get jealous (so make sure you still do lots of stuff with just her!). It should go well. (And make sure you keep them apart if she comes in season when he's a few months old!).

In all likely hood, she will see him as a playmate/pup, ie she may try to play a lil rough with him, but also she will discipline him as a mother would do.

For the future it is more likely that the bitch will be the boss, having teh final say so over stuff, rather than the pup growing into the role.

It should be fine, just keep an eye on them both, an let them both have some alone time away from each other.

Em

You should time your bitches spay carefully, she will not want a pup jumping all over her when she has had a major op, and you will not want her coming into season when you are not aware and the pup putting her in whelp. It would be best to wait till the pup is adult if you are able to cope with her seasons. Some bitches do become more dominant and pushy after they have been spayed and the pup will wonder what has happened to his playmate if she starts to reject him. I understand it is now too late to get her done and recovered before you get your pup as that would have been the best. You can give her tablets to stop her season but I am not sure how vets feel about doing the op after the bitch has been on the tablets, perhaps you could speak to the vet.