This weekend we bought a male cocker spaniel puppy.We took our 2yr old male with us to collect the pup.When we arrived we were welcomed in to the owners house our dog was nervous.The owner of the puppies then went and fetched the pups for us to choose one.My 2yr old cocker was a bit nervous but we oicked a pup and came away.When we got home our older dog was growling all the time at the pup.All the pup wanted to do was play.We have made sure that we have given them both the same amount of attention.My older dog is very attached to my husband and as soon as the pup goes near the older dog he runs and hides by my husband.I am worried that i have made a big mistake.Does anyone knoew what to expect as they settle to each other.Please helpppp.

Hi! Introducing a pup is a worry, isn't it? Relax - your older dog is behaving how most dogs (males especially) do in these circumstances!  Many male dogs are very nervous of puppies, and simply have no idea how to treat them. It's important that he doesn't feel ousted by this young usurper, so give him more attention than the puppy. If he grumbles at the pup, take his side and back him up - he needs you to protect him to avoid him having to protect himself. Make sure he has plenty of one-to-one with you without the puppy (luckily your pup won't be going for walks with him for some time yet), and make sure the pup isn't 'in his face' the whole time.

When you feed the pup, give your older dog a little of his daily food ration at the same time - and put his bowl down first, keeping the pup well away so that he doesn't have to guard his food. Don't leave them unattended together, and after a few weeks your older boy should feel happier at this new arrangement. Good luck.

My Cav was absolutely disgusted at the new puppy bitch we bought - she just wanted to play, like yours, and he kept growling and running away from her! He also went into a major sulk with us! We just kept an eye on them and stopped her being too rough, and he got used to her after a while.

We've had our bitch pup for a week now and our older bitch is just starting to tolerate her a little better, but she ain't happy! We give our older girl more attention and cuddles, feed her first and alone and only allow her on the sofas and upstairs, (pup will never be allowed up as she will grow up to be too big)! At first our older dog snarled and snapped at the pup every time she came near, (pup was totally innocent and just wanted to play), but she is slowly allowing her closer. We have just backed up our older bitch as much as possible, and never leave them alone together unattended. Maybe you could back up your older dog as much as possible and treat him like the top dog in the house and things may improve in a few weeks.

thankyou for your help regarding my new pup and my 2yr old male.As you said that yours began to get used to each other.my older dog is begining to accept the pup the majority of the time but still growls at time especially when the pup hangs from his ers with those razer sharp teeth.We have made sure our older dog gets all the fuss he did before and also treat the pup the same.I was so worried i had made a mistake thankyou so much for your help,it has helped me tremendously thanks heather

I have bailey 2 1/2 yr old westie got another male westie pup 3 weeks ago and had the same problems. However after a couple of days bailey accepted him and puts him in his place when need be. I never leave them alone unless in the garden when they never bother about each other and the pup normally follows me around anyway. It will get better and at first i thought what have i done but now bailey has someone to play with (when he wants to play) and they share the same dinner bowl which i was afraid of as at first bailey would get really aggressive now he gives a growl then moves over and always licks the pups face clean. Good luck.

Bailey I would n0t allow the to eat from the same dish.  This could store problems up for later, but also you should know how much each one eats to keep them the right weight.

I always supervise them eating and pup gets fed 3-4 times a day. Bailey also gets his meal and when pup is nearly finished his they swap over and they share scrambled egg at night time with pup still getting more didn't think it too bad as there are no problems and know of other dogs who do this as well. Will def keep an eye on them though.

Poor lad, I'm not surprised he's nervous, being taken into the home of a bitch with a litter, he was probably scared for his life! :) When I brought my pup home my older dog spent the first 24 hours jumping out of his skin every time the pup went near him and if he actually touched him he would run out of the room looking over his shoulder as though he was waiting for 'Mum' to come and get him!