Hi, I've just bought a Staff puppy, + I'm having trouble introducing him to my other dog, who is a 12 yr old collie cross.He just keeps trying to mount her, he's constantly jumping at her, and they keep snapping, snarling, growling, and barking at each other.Any suggestions on how to make life easier for both of them, and me!?

Eleanor

How "just" is "just"? All new members of the home must have time to get to know each other and work out where they fit in the pecking order. I would leave them to sort it out themselves. How old is your Staffie? I'll assume he's 8 weeks. Your old lady is probably putting up with him for now - but she'll let him know when she's had enough. Be prepared as it might come as a bit of a shock to you. Do watch that it doesn't get too nasty though and put either of them at risk. What you describe though is all perfectly normal and usually, especially with such an age difference and different genders, they'll sort it out.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

Pam n the boys - who still tussle over who's boss!!

Thanks Pam,
I've had him a week, and he's now 13 weeks old.Also, I've got 3 cats, and everytime they come in the house he chases them off or steals their food.I don't want my cats to feel intimidated in their own home, but I also want Scooby (my pup) to fit in and feel a part of the family.What can I do?

Pam and the boys

Have just acquired a 7wk 5day old Staffie (he was brought to me by his owner who wanted him to have a good home). Then i was lucky enough to stumble on this site and read your e mail. I have a multi pet household, 3 cats, 4,2, & 7mths and a lovely, loyal, Staffie called Tessa aged 10yrs 9mths who so patiently put up with each new kitten Mom brought home but i am worried in fact i am panicking that Tessa and Charlie (yes i've already named him) will not get on. She had already growled and told him off good and proper when he trys to go anywhere near her hind quarters. Luckily i am at home all day and i live on my own so i can keep a watchful eye on them all. I agree with you "letting them sort it out by themselves" in fact my Tessa is so good she even let the kittens try to suckle her, i have some lovely photos. Basicley my Tessa was born an old lady and never put a paw wrong in fact she knows what i'm thinking, I think i just need someone to reassure me. By the way the cats are all fine with him,my 7th month old Tom Tom is lyimg on the couch beside him. Any help from yourself or anyone else would be appreciated. Thanking you in advance, Deirdre
.

Welcome to the forum Deirdre :-)

I wouldn't worry to much. Just keep an eye on things and make sure it doesn't get out of hand. As he grows, you may find that you have to intercept a bit more and stop him from 'bugging' her, but it sounds like she has his measure already :-) Enjoy you pup!

Hi Leigh, Thank you for your so prompt reply. Well we've all survived the first night, and Charlie didn't waken me till 8am. I unfortunately live in like a town house and when you come in my front door there are 13 stairs to my living room, kitchen and small loo. Then there are 13 more stairs to 3 bedrooms & bathroom. I also have open plan (took all my doors off) living room/kitchen so i've now got to get a baby gate for top of stairs. Also i leave my front door open for Tessa & cats to come and go, Tessa has never tried to go out the garden. Anyway out of respect to Tessa I put Charlie's bed in downstairs loo (the only room with a door), he whimpered for about 10mins and settled down till 8am this morning so i think that is quite a good start. Again thank you for your words of encouragement, i,m so glad i found this message board. Deirdre

Hi Deirdre

I think Leigh has told you what you need to know. You have different sexes and a large age gap - they will probably be fine. As Leigh says - just keep an eye on them and be prepared to step in if it's needed.

If you start as you mean to go on an ensure that both puppy and ypur girl have there own time - and space - then things should go great.

Do watch him on the stairs though as it can be harmful to a puppys joints if they do too much going up and down while their bones are developing.

Have a great time with your babay

Pam n the boys

Hi Pammy,

Thanks for your prompt reply. Much appreciated. Yes Leigh was very helpful and there are loads of tips on this message board. This is the first time i've posted a message to any forum, so glad i did, i don't feel as if I'm on my own any more.
About the stairs, thats why I'm getting a babygate. Tessa does suffer from osteoarthritis and has been on medication from she was about 7/8 so I know about stairs and their joints. She was on "medicam" untill last week and has been changed to "PBZ" 200mg tablets. Ever heard of them?
By the way Tessa looked so pleased that it was just her & me & the cats going to bed together as usual. Also Charlie is not allowed up on the couch with Tessa & me. Thanks again, Deirdre & lol from Tessa

Hi Eleanor,
A 12 year old dog is usually quite set in her ways and has a pattern for her day. Bouncy puppies aren't one of the high points ;) She needs a place to be able to retreat to on her own where junior doesn't invade and bother her. Let her get used to the intruder on her own terms.

You might have to accept that they'll never be friends. But they can at least live together on your terms. There's too much of an age difference probably and no other dog to help bridge the gap --imo.

If you have to, keep a leash and a collar on the little jumper. Mounting is a dominance ploy to assume rank --- Is he really young or an older puppy who is nearing maturity? ( I just saw your posting that he's 13 weeks) Really pushy for his age. You have to smooth that down and gain control over him now.
(especially since SBTs are much more solidly built than elderly collie mixes, he could end up hurting her and your cats)
You have to step in now and probably later to let him know that he is "beta" to her. Don't let her have to try to defend herself. It will not end well then. :( He's younger and will be stronger.

Do you have a crate or an area that you can confine him to when he gets "too wild"? You'll need somewhere that they can be separate when you leave them alone or when he's hypered up. For both dogs's safety--- and your cats :)

Some suggestions: Keep feeding your auild gal first. Make him wait his turn. Don't let him touch her food or her favorite toys/resting spots. Always greet her first. Don't let him think that he has ANY importance in the ranking structure :rolleyes: He doesn't. Visitors should ignore him over her until she wanders away.
hth a bit.
good luck.
toodles

BTW, don't worry about your puppy "settling in and feeling like a part of the family"...it sounds like he's decided he wants to be IN CHARGE of your family :rolleyes: It's easier to stop this now than when he gets his second dose of testosterone in "puberty". You provide the family "rules" and he'll fit into a niche all on his own :)

Thanks eoghania, I'll try out what you said, and hope it works, because I'm starting University at the end of the month, and it will be the first time they'll have been left alone together.

Eleanor,
There's a lot of good advice on this board to handle "assertive" individuals. Do some looking around.
Since you will be leaving them alone, you might go ahead and crate train him now. Use it for his bed at night and naptimes. It's a safe place where he can't get into any trouble. Again, there's a lot of suggestions on how to fit and how to crate train throughout the Board.

I would recommend that you completely ban him from the furniture and your bed. Later on when he is mature and nicely behaved, you can ease the rules. I"m talking in a year or more. He sounds as if he'll be a handful. Mock Jr? ;) He might be upset at not being allowed in the crowd, but it sets his place in the pack firmly at the bottom :) Cats rule, dogs drool type o' thing ;)

Just remember, it is harder to gain control once it is lost, than to have control from the start and let up gradually on it. Yes, he's probably a cutie pie, but that's that innocent puppy face working on you now :)
Imagine how you want him to behave when he's 20 or 30 pounds heavier, and work towards that image :) I'm not trying to be harsh, but from your description he's a bossy little sot and not a shy puppy at all. Firmness is what he'll need. :rolleyes:
good luck,
toodles

He probably is pushing his luck, but remember Staffords might be stocky little bleeders (I have three bitches) and give the impression that they are bombproof, but they are suprisingly sensitive souls . They respond badly to physical punishment and quick to lose confidence. The tactic of verbally scolding them is a much quicker route, they are people dogs - contrary to what some people believe - and are desperate to please, so I think this is the best route. I also think the crate is a must, you can never trust them 100% together :(

Hi ,

I have 2 staffordshire bull terriers and one cat! Though my older dog is only 3 years old, she had problems when we introduced our pup (now 5 months). I had to encourage her to tell the puppy off when he became too much for her. And he always got told off very sternly for chasing the cat or stealing food. You do have to be very very firm with stafford pups as they will take the micky if they feel they can get away with it.

Do you have somewhere where your older dog can get away from the pup? i put a peice of plyboard over the bedroom door so that cleo could jump over when he was getting too much for her.

I think the jumping on her etc is just the way that pups play - i would be surprised if he was showing dominant behaviour already. Let her (encourage) her to reprimand him, seriously if necessary. And you need to be strict about what is acceptable behaviour and what is not, and be consistant - i am not adverse to giving a naughty pup a smack to show i mean business.

Teach him what no means - consistantly - and expect him to challenge you at first. but you will win through - and ignore any of that wide eyed it wasn't me pup thing that staffords can do so so easily!

Also, when you go out do not leave them together alone until you are 100% sure he will not annoy your girl. Maybe 6 months old or later... shut him in the kitchen, or crate (though i prefer a room) but make sure he has lots to play with - chews and stuffed kongs or he may take a fancy to your plaster work!!

Where did you get him? and where are you?

Alex

Agree with Alex, make sure your older dog can escape, and leave them to sort it out, the bitch should be OK, only step in if you think it is getting out of hand. Just make sure if you say stop, it does stop. But dont over do the I'm in charge bit as your bitch can do a lot to helping you with your new pup. Ja:)kie

Hi, Alex/Cleopatra, he was advertised in our local paper, so I phoned up and got him.The lady who sold him wasn't a breeder, she'd bought him for her son but he was then diagnosed with asthma, and so their docter told her to sell the puppy, and thats when I bought him.I'm from Coseley in the West Midlands.

HI,

It sounds as though he has just got too big for his boots! Maybe the lady you bought him off has let him get away with murder! Also, think that this pup hasn't ever been around other dogs since he left his mum at 7/8 weeks... maybe just youthful exuberance which will calm down... but he has no experience of how he is supposed to behave at all with other dogs - and needs both you adn your girl to teach him!

I had a friend who got a pup in very similaiar circumstances, and he had to start the training all over again as they had spent little to no time teaching the pup how to behave... Persiver and get him down to training classes where he can play with other pups, learn how to behave with other dogs - and you can get some first hand advice on how to deal with him!

Only advice on training classes - do try to find somewhere that is 100% trewat based - as stafford pups do need to be told no! not just distratcted!

Good luck, and feel free to email me privately if you want to chat about anything...

Alex

Hi Cleo,
I just keep thinking that since her collie is elderly, "seriously reprimanding" the puppy could get really stressful for her, especially if she's frail or has a sensitive nature. It's similar my 88 year old grandmother pushing off a 3 year old toddler that is bouncing on her back. I've seen it happen where the puppy backs down, but does the dog really need the anxiety of a situation, esp. if she hasn't had to do it before at any part of her life?

Or am I just being too cautious of her age and physical being vs. real dog politics? Guess I keep remembering how solid and assured the 6 month old SBT mix that came after Samma. It just didn't back down to her maturity at all :( Sorry, if that's the case.

Thanks Alex, actually, the lady I bought him off had an adult SBT as well, and she could part with the puppy because they'd only just got him, but not with their other dog, so Scooby is used to living with another dog, except last time it was a young adult male of his own breed.

Good job the lady got rid of him then - could have been bloody when he reached maturity!

Answers your question though - he has learnt to play like that from the other one... just needs teaching by your girl that its not ok with her!

Solo learnt this from another dog that snapped at him - just missed his nose - cos he was being a bugger... he can now spot the ones that want to play and the ones that dont..

It'll come, but you will probably have to work on it...

eleanor quote: << the lady I bought him off had an adult SBT as well, and she could part with the puppy because they'd only just got him, but not with their other dog, >>

Just wondering on the medical aspect. Is it possible to have an asthma allergy just to one dog but not another of the same breed?

Yes - if it is dander you are allergic to. Some dogs produce more dander, skin dust, than others. Similarly, dogs shed hair in different ways and have coats of slightly different textures. Although the norm is for particular breeds to cause people problems it is always possible for people to be more sensitive to different dogs of the same breed.

I find my in-laws Yorkie irritates my asthma and eyes on somedays but not on others and it's the same with a boder collie in the familt too - yet my own dogs and my parents cairns never cause me any problems unless they get exessively dusty.

Pam n the boys

Pammy Thanks for your prompt and detailed reply. Well, one never stops learning!

I have the same problem in that my 3 year old was very very sensitive and wasn't used to the whole other dog thing - she isn't very sociable!
To reprimand a pup does not necessarilt mean major activity! And no a staffy pup will not back down or give up immedicatley - it took cleo about 3 months to imprint on teh puppy that enough was enough - done know through a certain type of growl. This is not because he is assertive or aggressive, but just because he didn't know when to stop...

We have the same problem with the cat - she will not assert herself with the pup - and we can stop him with just a word - but that doesn't mean that he wont do anything when we are not around, if you see what i mean.. The lesson needs to come from the older dog if the pup is going to abid by it when the people aren't around...

Hope that this makes sense!

PS. the staffy cross probably hadn't been taught any manners by wither their owners (who tend to think it funny that a little pup is snapping and barking) or told that certain behaviour is not acceptable by its owners.

While I've been looking on this site, I've also been running around keeping an eye on my pup, like stopping him chasing my rabbit etc.When I followed himoutside just, I discovered him digging a whole in the garden and eating the mud, I don't care about the garden, but I don't want him covered in dirt and I certainly don't want him eating it!I tried to stop him, but he just took no notice, so in the end I had to pick him up, but I won't beable to do this when he's grown!