I have a cocker spaniel and a new puppy, and they are currently vying for position as the more dominant dog, almost having little competitions.  The spaniel is gathering toys and guarding them (not aggressively).  The puppy will plonk himself in the spaniels bed, and the spaniel will get out.  When feeding them, the puppy ignored his own food and pushed to take the spaniels food - spaniel backed off & I removed the food (because it was adult food anyway) and they both ended up with puppy food over sprinkled over the floor, rather than in bowls.

My quesion though is this - what my spaniel values more than anything, is me.  He's extremely affectionate and loves his cuddles.  He's the same with other members of the family, but I'm his favourite.  At the moment, whilst they are vying for position, if I am cuddling the puppy and the spaniel wants to be cuddled, should I put the puppy down, cuddle them both, or refuse the spaniel (I do of course refuse him sometimes normally anyway - he doesn't dictate when he gets cuddles, as much as he might like to). 

I do also allow the spaniel to sleep upstairs - he either sleeps on my sons bed, or on the floor next to my bed.  Eventually, the puppy will be allowed to do likewise, but until housetrained, will be in a crate downstairs at night.

I doubt if a pup would try and be dominant, it is more likely just finding it's feet.  Some dogs don't tolerate pups as well as others, especially if they've had a home where they've been the sole dog for a while, it's us that thinks it would be nice for them to have a doggy companion, where as in reality, they've got the life of riley, and are initially put out by newcomers. 

The feeding thing is just training, make your pup sit and wait for it's food, the second he moves his butt take it up.  If possible, feed your older spaniel where the pup can't get to his dish, both my Labs sit and wait to be told either together, or individually they can start eating. 

Can't help with the toys, mine don't get toys left out for them, they have a couple of old marrow bones they chew on, but toys are for training with, it makes them a much higher value if they're only allowed them when training, even if you leave some toys down, and keep a few out of the way just for training.  Can't help with the sleeping thing either, mine are kennelled, but will say I don't hold with all the dominance theories, my old trainers used to have a saying that sums up how I approach owning dogs - 'it's not a democracy' - in the nicest way possible, I just expect them to do as they're told, to get along in any situation, and put a lot of work in to try and ensure they understand what is expected of them, if that makes sense?

I think you're right about the dominance thing as the pup is concerned - he's just being friendly and wanting to join in with everything, but not so sure about the spaniel.  He hasn't been a sole dog though, he had a canine companion until March when she died, so has only been a sole dog since then, and he'd lived with her since he was 8 weeks old, and she was the boss.  The spaniel is generally very sociable and enjoys the company of other dogs, but this is his first experience of having a puppy around. 

I do generally do what you've done with food and make them sit and wait for it.  The spaniel is not at all aggressive so it wasn't a problem, more interesting.  I'm finding it fascinating watching this interaction and new relationship form, but don't want to make mistakes.

With toys, I do keep balls and frisbees etc. for outdoor training and playing, but these are just soft toys that we're playing with in the house, and that are helping him settle in - the pup can't go out as he hasn't had his jabs yet.

Male dogs do not usually like puppies ;-) They take time to allow the new pup to start interacting with them, so give them both time. Lay down the boundaries that are acceptable to you, as well as your older dog. Puppies take liberties with everything and have to learn how to behave in a new home. What it was allowed to do with it siblings are obviously not allowed by older dogs :-) So long as your boy doesn't actually attack the puppy then I don't think you have a major problem. In fact it sounds like he is a bit unsure, but will eventually accept your new baby as a play mate.

Thank you :)  I think the spaniel does like the pup, his tail hasn't stopped wagging, and they've 'nearly' played together - they've both played with me at the same time, but not solely with each other yet, and they're mirroring each other in terms of napping and playing at the same time.  Right now, the puppy is asleep in a dog bed on the floor, and the spaniel is asleep on the sofa next to me.  I don't think my spaniel would attack a daddy long legs let alone the puppy, but of course am not leaving them alone together just in case.  He is unsure and it's as though he wants to assert his superiority (though never managed it with my old lab when she was alive).

Think you should pet and nurse when and who you want and shoo both off if there is any objection. Sure your dogs will settle in together happily the pup just need to learn to stay away from your older dogs food and if the dog will not do it you will have to distract him and insist he eats his own and not that belonging to someone else.

sums up how I approach owning dogs - 'it's not a democracy' - in the nicest way possible, I just expect them to do as they're told, to get along in any situation,

Same approach for me too. 

I agree that puppy is being a puppy, and dominance doesn't enter into it.  All pups will push boundaries when food is around.  And it's natural for the older dog to back off - at this stage he is making allowances for a youngster. 

I would be feeding pup in his crate.  After all, he will be getting fed more often than the adult anway.

Thanks for sharing your opinions :)  I wasn't really concerned about the food, though won't be feeding the pup in his crate, but more about my affections and I'm going to do as you suggest and just fuss who I want when I want etc. and they can put up with it. :)

Something you may find helpful is a little booklet by Pat McConnell, I believe it's called "Feeling Outnumbered" and basically it explains how to train dogs so that they get on with each other, avoiding tension, scuffles and so on. It's only cheap :)

It's basically about training them to understand what to expect and for them to be polite and not pushy, and it's trained using positive methods.

Lindsay
x

Think you are right not to feed the pup elsewhere, I insist that my dogs eat together in fact within a foot or so of each other. To separate as a pup you may always have to and that is not convenient, they soon learn not to take another's food until it is left so you need to encourage your older dog to get on with it and not to give way to the pup - dogs soon accept that the newcomer is fed more often because you allow it and in the same way they will get groomed or petted when you decide and not because they wish it.

Thanks for the suggestion of the leaflet.  I will have a look for it.  I do have 'the perfect puppy' by Gwen Bailey, which I had years ago and which I think is very good. The food issue seems to have already pretty much resolved.  I've also had them both sitting next to each other taking turns to have little tiny pieces of cheese and the puppy was as good as gold with that once he realised the pattern lol. I'm confident that they will be close buddies - the tail wagging going on is lovely and they are getting used to each other.  They haven't actually played together yet but I'm expecting that to happen today or tomorrow.  :)

Sure that play will happen soon, I find males are a bit worried about new pups but once that is overcome (takes about 10 days) they will play so hard you start to wish they were still being reserved. Oh! most of mine have been males and I have never had one hurt a pup they are just a bit unsure how to deal with this tiny squirming scrap but once that is over come they enjoy one another.

Well on Wednesday my spaniel decided that he liked the puppy, and they've been happily romping ever since :)  It's been delightful to watch this process.  It's now Sunday, and they are firmly bonded, and everyone is happy :)

Pleased, if not surprised, to hear your are now able to watch the interaction between the two - only problem it is difficult to do anything else, enjoy. :-)