Hi, can anyone help, I have a new edition 8 week puppy and I introduced to my oldie of 10 years who is great with all other dogs and we used to have another dog ourselves which unfortunately died last february, problem is our older girl keeps snarling at her, I'm afraid to let them together alone at the moment

Is your old girl used to having other dogs in her house all the time, or only outside on walks? It's best not to leave a new puppy unattended with a resident dog for at least a week anyway, no matter how well they seem to get on, for safety. Make sure your oldie has just as much one-to-one attention as she's used to, has plenty of time to escape from (in her eyes) horrid noisy smelly little interloper. A good tip is to give her a little of her daily ration of food every time the pup has a meal. A good thing is that the pup can't be taken for lead-walks yet, so you have plenty of opportunities to do individual stuff with your oldie to try to stop any jealousy.

Don't forget at 10 years of age, she is slower than she used to be and she will be letting the puppy know not to be too rough.  I am sure things will calm down and when puppy learns manners she will more than likely be fine. Just don't let puppy mither her.

Thanks for your comments they've put my mind at rest that time will cure, we do give our older dog alot of attention, I don't think she would let us have it any other way

Make sure your older dog has somewhere she can get away to, if she wants peace from the puppy.

If she is snarling at the puppy, I would be very careful about their interactions and make sure your puppy is meeting lots of other friendly dogs at a good puppy class.  Have you enrolled in a puppy class?

We have blocked off the large garden for the older dog and the puppy has smaller part but plenty big enough and both have access to the house, I am going to puppy classes when she has had her injections

I can only go by my own experience from 18 months ago, so here goes. I brought in a puppy at 8 weeks and my 2 dogs hated this young thing with a vengeance! They were given space to escape to (usually the sofa!) where the pup couldn't go. I also put pup in a cage, so that the older 2 could sniff, but not hurt the pup. After a week or two the younger adult accepted the pup, but the older one (his mum) still didn't like the pup. I just carried on with the separation until she accepted the pup. This took a bit longer, but now the two play together all the time :)

Older dogs don't usually enjoy pups being too close, but once the basics have been learned they are quite happy. After all, putting it into human terms (which we shouldn't really do :) ) would you like to be with an over excited toddler for hours on end, with no way of escaping? I know know I'd hate it :D

Just make sure that neither get reallu upset. It should work out ok in the end. :)

Once again thankyou for you comments we have got a crate for the pup and yes your quite right after my young grandchildren have visited although lovely to see them after there weeks visit as they don't live near the peace is lovely