Hello, we have just got a 12 week old rescue pup and currently have a 2 1/2 year old bitch. Now they seem to generally be getting on well and play together a lot after taking a few days for the older bitch to realise what to do with him. My only concern is that the older bitch is a complete wus and never sticks up for herself in the slightest, she lets him take absolutely everything off her, he can take food right out of her mouth and she just looks up at me with sad eyes as if to tell me to sort it out for her, and in that situation I take the treat/toy from the puppy and give it back to Amber, then normally distract the pup with something else.  I just wondered, is it normal for a pup to see what they can get away with, with an older dog and what are the implications if the pup is never told off by an older dog? Is he likely that he will grow up thinking he is in charge of her and will continue to take everything from her, its not really as much of a problem with food, as I can separate them whilst feeding, (he will gladly stand under her legs and eat the food from under her if we dont grab him in time) but it is with toys aswell, he just wants everything that she has. Although saying all this, he is a very good pup and doesnt harass her in the slightest, he just likes to follw her around, it always seems to be Amber (the 2 1/2 yr old) who starts off all the play sessions with him, so I am really pleased with things so far as she seems very happy to have him here, it is just this one thing that concerns me. The pup was very scared and timid when he got here, but the more confidence he gets the more he pushes it with Amber. He is now up to the stage where he will jump around barking at her when he wants the toy off her, then he will just take it from her, and as I said, Amber does nothing. Ive never had 2 dogs before, so just wanted to know if this is normal and ok?

Sounds like a normal puppy adult relationship to me. Adults will allow very young puppies massive liberties Our GSD will allow them to chew her ears, feet, tail, steal her toys food etc & never say a word, but as the puppies mature then she begins to tell them off when she has had enough & they eventually learn that she is the alpha & they have to toe the line

It is the same with all young animals they learn by testing the boundaries & the adults slowly bring in the boundaries & the young learn their place.

I never take toys from a puppy & return to the adult or vica versa but I do ensure the adult has their own puppy free space they can escape to when they have had enough !

IME it's perfectly normal. Most adult dogs will let puppies get away with absolutely anything, including taking toys and food off them. At some stage as the pup gets older your girl may start to tell him off...although I'm still waiting for my lot to do this with my 11 month old pup, who still rules the roost. In most cases where people have a bitch and dog the bitch is the boss so I would think the pup will be put in his place at some stage. Remember to give your girl some time on her own with you, and not to leave them alone together for a while yet just to be safe. Well done on rescuing him, dogs are much better and happier in pairs...or more :)

Puts me in mind of when one of mine was 2 1/2 and we got a pup.  The pup used to do exactly the same thing and the older bitch would just give up her toy and even walk away. The pup even used to stamp her feet if the toy wasn't forthcoming.  However, the older bitch is in fact the most dominant bitch in this household and can just give a look to sort things out. What I am trying to say is that she was no wus yet still let the pup get away with murder.  This is typical behaviour.

Yep, normal behaviour. My 21/2 yr old GSD bitch let our new little boy GSD do absolutely anything. Just rip stuff out of her mouth. He's now 15 months, and since he turned about a year old she puts him in his place. She still often lets him get away with it if she feels like it, but if she doesn't watch out. She is definitely in charge, and they have a fabulous relationship.  I felt so sorry for her to begin with, like you, but don't worry it will all work out.
His motto was the following (and still is if he thinks he'll get away with it)
1. If I like it, it's mine.
2. If it's in my mouth, it's mine.
3. If I can take it from you, it's mine.
4. If I had it a little while ago, it's mine.
5. If it's mine, it must never appear to be yours in any way.
6. If I'm chewing something up, all the pieces are mine.
7. If it just looks like mine, it's mine.
8. If I saw it first, it's mine.
9. If you are playing with something and you put it down, it automatically becomes mine.
10. If it's broken, it's yours.


Kat

oh that is great to know it is perfecrly normal! We are making sure Amber still gets plenty of time and attention on her own, she still gets her walks in the morning and evening alone with her beloved Dad!  Although the puppy really doesnt harass her much anyway, while Amber is snoozing on the patio after a walk, Alfie is perfectly happy to be playing inside with me and entertaining himself, it is always Amber that comes in and shakes a toy infront of him to entice him to play! Then as soon as Amber has had enough the pup tends to just leave her be and chase things around on his own.
I will leave Amber to it to tell Alfie off when and if she wants and stop giving her back her toys if the cheeky sod grabs tham out her mouth, its just that I felt so bad for her! I didnt realise that is is perfectly normal.

thanks for your advice, you have put my mind at rest, Im sure they will grow to be very close indeed.

Thank you Kat, that made me smile!

Oh just one more thing, is it normal for the older bitch to hump the pup? We havent really stopped her from doing it, and the pup doesnt seem to notice anyway as he is so small, we kind of just thought she is trying to work him out and does it out of excitment more than anything. The pup has only kind of tried to hump her once, it is more her humping him, although she is definitely doing it less.

LOLOLOL yes it is our GSD often humps the Cavaliers which is really funny as they just walk away while she's still humping :D

my GSD was humped by a blind staffy the other day......he didnt like it much, which is a bit rich as hes quite partial to humping any labrador thats foolish enough to come within range......

What about naughty puppy humping my leg - I shout NO very loudly, push him away and he runs back for more!   Didn't have this problem with my other GR.

Puppies think that being pushed away is a great game! :) Better to say "No!" firmly - not necessarily loudly -  and distract him with a tuggy toy or similar game to take his mind off what he was doing. :)

I would leave the room if he persists, thus depriving him of what he wants most - your company. :)