My 9 week old BC puppy keeps steeling food from our 2 year old BC. The adult allows the puppy to take what he wants which until now this adult behavour has been a good thing (any dog can take toys or food from him and he won't argue).

When the adult is eating his food I seperate the puppy so he doesn't steel. If the adult is eating bones or treats then I have to keep the puppy amused with other treats or toys but I just don't feel that I am teaching the puppy anything by this behaviour. I don't want the puppy to grow up and think that he can take whatever he wants from any dog as he might get a shock back.

My adult dog does not take anything from the puppy and knows that he is not allowed near the puppies bowl.

I have tried to encourage the adult to take things back off the puppy (toys and treats/bones) which he sometimes does very gently but then the pup takes it straight back again. I know that the adults confidence will grow with time (like it has grown with his ability to play with the puppy) but is there anything that I can do to help him?

Am I expecting too much from a 9 week old puppy and an adult dog that has never had to compete with another dog??

Any advice??
Geeky Girl

In a word - yes. 

It sounds like you have a lovely dog with your older BC, but I wouldn't let the puppy repeatedly take things from him or eat his food in front of him because you'll probably find it won't be long before he learns that a bit of aggro will stop the puppy doing this (and you don't want aggression to creep in by the back door like this).

So separate them when you are feeding them.  If one dog has a high value resource you should also keep them separated.  (Crates are good for this.)

You don't need to "teach" the puppy anything.  Just think about it - your current dog is a lovely dog (it sounds like) and is not aggressive towards any dog which tries to take high value items or eat his food.  Presumably he wasn't "taught" this by an older dog in turn, because it sounds like he is your only other dog.  He turned out just fine without any other dog there to "teach" him anything, so don't worry - your puppy will too.

It is natural and normal dog behaviour for a higher ranking dog to try to take something from a lower ranking dog and for the lower ranking one to submit.  However also dogs have a lot of tolerance for puppies and will let them take things they wouldn't let another adult dog take - puppies have different rules in the dog world, if you like.  I don't think it's because your older dog has less confidence than the puppy - more that he is allowing the puppy more liberties than an adult dog.

As humans we don't like to see only one of our dogs get all the goodies though (the highest ranking one), we like to share things around and show our love for them all equally.  If you want to do this without conflict, you need to separate them and accept that.

"It is natural and normal dog behaviour for a higher ranking dog to try to take something from a lower ranking dog and for the lower ranking one to submit.  However also dogs have a lot of tolerance for puppies and will let them take things they wouldn't let another adult dog take - puppies have different rules in the dog world, if you like.  I don't think it's because your older dog has less confidence than the puppy - more that he is allowing the puppy more liberties than an adult dog."

This is what the books say yes but in reality it is often not the case at all.  Some dogs have tolerance for puppies but some do not.  Many adult dogs see the pup getting out of its pram and firmly put them back in.   This particular dog obviously does not.   I do think that the older dog has not got the motivation to guard his possessions, either because it is in his character or he is not bothered by them.  Probably the former.

I think that I'd be very pleased if my male allowed a puppy to behave like that! Mine was not very pleased at all with our little bundle of trouble (she's now 18 months old, and still cheeky :D ) It took quite a number of weeks before they would play together. As for taking things off him - NO WAY!

In my household I have 3 dogs. Well, 2 bitches and 1 dog ;) One of the bitches can go into her son's bowl and help herself, but not the other bitches bowl. She's get her nose removed The male backs off from anyone going near his bowl, but won't attempt to steal if there is someone still eating. A 'free' bowl though is for anyone :) The young bitch thinks that it is her god given right to eat anything, even the cat food!

Basically, I think, what I'm trying to say is if your 2 year old is happy enough to allow it then I would let him. Up to a point. It may be that the pup is going to push just to see how far it can go so keep a close eye on them, but don't interfere too much. They have to sort out a few things themselves. All kids push just a little bit further :D

"I have tried to encourage the adult to take things back off the puppy (toys and treats/bones) which he sometimes does very gently but then the pup takes it straight back again."

Best not do this.  If you interfere like this when you do not really understand dog behaviour [as humans none of us do completely].  The adult sounds like a laid back dog.  In time he or she may learn to stick up for him/herself but if we intervene we will probably affect the natural order of dog behaviour and cause more problems than we are trying to cure.

To give the adult some peace from the confident puppy [which is all it is] separate them from time to time esp when they have bones etc.

I would separate them because in time, when adolescent, the pup may well decide he wants the whole bowl ful  from your older dog and this could cause huge problems. AS owners, we need to lay down some sensible laws, so I'd suggest keeping the dogs apart when fed, or at least being there to supervise.

My dogs were allowed to lick round each other's bowls after both had finished, but one was not allowed to push the other out the way ;)

Lindsay
x

my mother's two dogs fit the same bill. basil, the older one would let the cheekier young eric help himself to anything and it was quite obvious that basil wasn't fussed since he's so laid back as to be horizontal. it wasn't good for eric, however, to get the impression that's what's yours is mine since he was also hoovering up the cat's food if not watched like a hawk (ditto the hen's and duck's dinners!!) and if the issue wasn't sorted there was a serious danger of having a confident young dog ruling the feeding roost for everyone. feeding separately solved the problem as did giving basil his own space with treats or bones and. as "senior dog" my mother allows basil to take these into the sitting room. eric, however, is expected to eat his in the kitchen!

Thanks for all your advice. I will see how it all goes...
I am in no doubt that this pup will end up being boss of the adult dog but I doubt that he will care.... anything for an easy life :rolleyes::rolleyes:

GG :-D

If it's any consolation we have had exactly the same issues with our pup and older dog - the pup is nearly 6 months and the older one nearly 4 years now.  We really worried about the older one for quite a while as she is such a softy and we hated seeing her being mauled by the puppy and having her food and toys stolen from her while she just meekly took it all.  We were convinced the puppy was going to be dominant although everyone told us that the older dog usually is.  Interestingly, over the last 2 or 3 weeks there has been a definite change in the relationship between them - our older dog is now starting to show her authority and most definitely puts the pup in her place when she wants to.  She still lets the pup take treats from her if we don't manage to stop it happening, but it seems she just isn't that fussed on that front.  On the other hand, she will stand her own if a toy is being taken from her and woe betide the puppy if she tries to fetch a ball thrown for the older dog!  Stick with it and you might see a change in your adult dog in time.  If not, I guess he is just happy as things are!

Yes, this happens as pups grow up - as puppies most adult dogs have huge tolerance for them and their behaviour, but as they grow more they tolerate less and less.