I have 2 older dogs that we have had since they were puppies. The oldest is 7 years old and is a mix breed (mut) and my other is a 3 year old female german shepherd. The oldest is speaded by the shepherd is not. We brought home our german shepherd/rottie mix pup when it was 6 weeks old. The older female took to the pup as if it were mothering it and the shepherd was a little leary at first but came around. They got along fine with the pup then after having the pup with us for about 5 weeks, all of a sudden all three were outside (as they usually are) and the 2 older dogs attacked the puppy. They bit him in the groin area (small punctures and yes it bled) and around his neck. The pup was so scared and hurt, his back inner hind leg was swollen, he couldn't walk I couldn't hardly pick him up to take him outside to go to the bathroom, he couldn't stand it was horrifying. I took him to the vet the next day and the vet had to keep him for 2 days. My daughter thinks the 3 year old mite have been in heat but why would they attack this poor puppy. I just talked to the vet and the pup was bitten in the groin but will be ok and that there is sweeling in his hind leg but is gravitating dwon to the paw area - he is keeping him for anther day. Someone please have an answer as to why this happened?

I have no answers, but I am sure someone will be along to help xx

A lot of questions, I'm afraid, to try to get a better picture! How long are all the dogs together and how long do they each spend individually with you? What were they doing when the puppy was bitten - had he been winding them up when they wanted to rest? When was the entire bitch last in season?

Poor puppy,glad to hear he is going to recover. The outcome could very easily been much worse. You said your gsd was a bit off with the puppy when it arrived and that should have been a warning to never leave the puppy unattended with her. I would say she was not happy having the puppy around and all it would take is puppy taking liberties and she told him off but went in too hard and the other bitch would join in the attack probably when pup began screaming. If you decide to keep this puppy then you need to be aware that your gsd is likely to attack again so you must never leave them together unattended.

>all of a sudden all three were outside (as they usually are) and the 2 older dogs attacked the puppy

As they usually are?  Were you with them?  He is too young to be left unsupervised with your other dogs.  Accident waiting to happen and all that.  You are very lucky that it wasn't a lot worse.  And, unfortunately, having left the breeders far too early, he isn't going to be a very confident puppy.

Agree with JeanSW, a young pup shouldn't be left unattended with an adult dog unsupervised.  When I have a new pup I always stay outside in the garden with them...if they are with another dog or not - they are small and you never know if they might find a gap somewhere or eat something they shouldn't etc.  I would be very wary though with the bitches actually causing him damage.  Do they have good temperaments with other dogs when out on walks?  The most any of my dogs have done with a young pup is to grumble, put their mouth gently around their face or maybe put a paw on them to keep them still...all normal behaviour in teaching a pup manners.  Without seeing what happened before your bitches did this you along with us will only be guessing at why it happened.

I wonder if the pup tried to suckle off one of the bitches, who objected. This then kicked off the attack. My 20 month will stil try to suckle off my 7 year old bitch, who isn't her mother (silly youngster ;-) ) She is only gettin gtold off now, but my 13 year old bitch told her off the first time she tried, and I'm sure that if I hadn't been there she may have been hurt.

> And, unfortunately, having left the breeders far too early, he isn't going to be a very confident puppy.

It might be completely the opposite.  Remy was 6 weeks when he left the breeder - and he was far too confident, very bolshy and independant right from the off.  He taught Opi how to play very roughly as he'd not had the feedback from his littermates, and to this day she is OTT with him (and has put big holes in him purely in play before).

So possibly, this pup could be OTT and that sparked the attack.

unless you saw it with your own eyes I doubt you will ever know why this happened. I agree with others regarding leaving pup alone with older dogs... I have a 8m old who I either crate or take him with me if  I have to go out or even when I need to go upstairs for a moment ... I have 3 other dogs and would never leave a pup alone with older dogs...

Your pup has to learn how to behave when with the older dogs, this takes time and must always be supervised by yourself or another adult who understands dogs. They can be pushy which puts the other dogs noses out of joint. I doubt they attacked him for no reason if your dogs temperaments are normally sound.

Maybe you need to reconsider whether you can keep this pup in this pack or move him to a home where he is a single dog, after an incident such as this I would always be wary of these dogs being together in the future when your pup is older and stronger.

As I see with my 2 older dogs (soon to be 11 & 12 yrs)- even though Moose is a lil bigger then them and will be towering them prob in the next couple months- I do stop her from bugging the 2 older ones
when they just don't want to be hassled by her. Even though T-Bone plays with her a great deal she does put her in her place when she starts to play to rough and when I no T-Bone
has had enough I keep puppy away, I occupy with something .
Junior is more grumpy with her which I thought would have been the other way around- but she likes to pester him and I put a stop straight away.

Since your dogs are older I would assume some play is ok but once you realize they have had enough you have to teach puppy when to find other ways to keep busy. That's def where
you come in to tire puppy out lol I do put all of them outside together but I also watch them. Right now with snow on the ground and a lil chilly out there they def
don't want to be out long- hurry do their business and straight in again.

I no will be more challenging come summer so will prob just put her out with T-Bone when I am unable to keep 100% eye on her, if I am cooking ect.
Thank goodness my kitchen window out looks my back yard.

Glad to hear the lil tyke is ok- best of luck :-)

Personally I would get a professional in now. This is more than likely going to esacalate, you have 2 bitches and have introduced a male and upset the order of things. The attack has quite harsh if puncture wounds occured together with a very swollen leg and puppies at that age are usually out of bounds for aggression.Another 4 weeks and I would wonder about a pup coming off puppy licence and being taught manners but not at 11 weeks. Get help ASAP 

Dogs mostly do fight, byte  and bark on each other . Just create love in between and let them play together . Give them expert training at home to live together , eat together and  other commands .

SPAM ALERT. No, puncture wounds inflicted by an adult on a puppy are a wake up call. Something is not right, I agree with HHH, time to get some expert help.