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halfbaked
LIF Adult
Member since 8/12 6937 total posts
Name:
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New Puppy Issues
So my parents just adopted a new puppy. We've been anticipating his arrival for weeks now and he just got here Monday night from Tennessee. We're over the moon! He's an 8 week old rough collie pup who we've named Mookie. Clearly, we're big Mets fans!  Now, my parents already have another older collie (he's about 8 years old, not sure since he was a rescue) and I have a collie mix as well. My parents collie was hesitant of the new puppy at first, but he's proving to be extremely tolerant of Mookie's shenanigans. I was so excited to bring my collie over (he's about 5 years old, again a rescue) to meet Mookie last night. Wellll, he was not thrilled. It broke my heart.  He loves Rascal so much so he was dragging me over to my parents house (he knows the way, it's hysterical) and as soon as he got to the front door, Mookie appeared in the doorway. My pup screeched to a halt. It would've been comical if it didn't make me so sad.  I tried to get them to meet outside on leashes, thinking neutral territory would be better, but my dog was almost AFRAID of Mookie. Granted, he's REALLY tiny. I mean super small. He walked up to my dog and stood kind of underneath him and my dog growled and backed away. After that, he skirted around Mookie like he had the plague. I'm thinking he's just afraid of the fact that he's so small and can go underneath him. Mookie wasn't even rude- he wasn't nipping or anything like that! I just don't know what I can do. I like to take him over to Rascal's for visits and I'm afraid I won't be able to do this anymore with the pup? Do you think once he gets bigger my dog will be a little bit better with him? My dog usually LOVES other dogs- I mean he keeps my pit bull in line! It just is so strange!
ETA: I also forgot to mention that my dog was curled up on the couch and I thought I'd try to bring the puppy on the couch to see how he reacted. Not well. I was sitting next to him and as soon as I picked up Mookie, my dog growled. I don't know what that was- being jealous? Over protective? A flipping jerk? Because that's what I think. 
ETAA: Forgot to add some pictures of the cutie, too!
I apologize, they aren't the greatest photos- he's fast!
Message edited 6/20/2013 11:55:08 AM.
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Posted 6/20/13 11:02 AM  |
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Long Island Weddings
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mrsh2010
To travel is to live.
Member since 7/09 1679 total posts
Name:
Celia
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Re: New Puppy Issues
Has your dog ever been like this to any other dog? I would keep trying, maybe just a few minutes at a time. I wonder how your pup would be if your mom brought Mookie over to your house? I'm sure they will end up best friends. :)
Again- I know I told you this but I love, love his name. He is just so adorable!
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| Posted 6/20/13 2:23 PM |
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halfbaked
LIF Adult
Member since 8/12 6937 total posts
Name:
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Re: New Puppy Issues
Posted by mrsh2010
Has your dog ever been like this to any other dog? I would keep trying, maybe just a few minutes at a time. I wonder how your pup would be if your mom brought Mookie over to your house? I'm sure they will end up best friends. :)
Again- I know I told you this but I love, love his name. He is just so adorable!
Thanks Celia!!! Irwin has never been like this ever. He's always sooo excited to meet other dogs, like dragging me across the street to greet them. And he's met my MIL's dog who is a chiuaha mix. He wasn't THRILLED with her, but he never growled. Not even a little. We're going to keep trying... carefully... but I just feel bad. I want everyone to love Mookie! lol!
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| Posted 6/20/13 3:19 PM |
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Traysee
LIF Adolescent
Member since 12/10 652 total posts
Name:
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New Puppy Issues
What I would do is take a step back and take it slower. For now all you expect is that your dog at minimum ignores the puppy, and the puppy stays out of your dogs personal space. The next several meets, always be on neutral ground. Take lots of walks together. Your dog needs to learn that fun stuff happens when the puppy is around.
Don't force them to be close to each other. Don't put them face to face or let them meet with a barrier between them or at the ends of leashes head to head. They should be puppy butt to your dogs face for sniffing. Side by side with owners in between for walks. Dogs can get defensive behind barriers (screen doors, gates, fences, and owner possessive at the end of leashes).
At minimum your dog has to listen to you and ignore the puppy. It might take a while but it will hopefully happen if you take it slower. After several walks then you can move on to closer sniffing. Hopefully at some point your dog will start to greet his new walking buddy with a play bow and a low wagging tail. If he looks like he is on high alert and his tail is cocked straight up and erect he is still on guard.
Only let them be puppy butt to face... As in let your dog come over and sniff the puppy's butt while you are holding him. Avoid face to face. At most let them be side by side or butt to butt or butt to face for a while. You can also put the puppy's smell on your dog and vice versa. Rub the puppy with a towel and rub the towel on your dog and then rub that towel back on the puppy.
If you are in your parents house with your dog and the puppy then your dog goes on a leash at a stay by your side. Down stay, step on the leash. You can try keeping the puppy in his crate while you are there and letting your dog wander the house. But if he exhibits any aggression then back to leashed at a down stay by your side. Try to set up a situation that shows your dog that good things happen when the puppy is around.
I would also remove all toys or other objects that might make your dog get possessive. (You might be that object and in that case then it's more long walks).
Just take it slow :o)
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| Posted 6/20/13 9:14 PM |
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MrsG823
Just call me Mommy.
Member since 1/11 5570 total posts
Name:
S
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New Puppy Issues
Give your dog a little time. Puppies tend to have "poor social skills". You can put the puppy on leash and have another adult assist you. Let your dog say hi and then hold the puppy back. The only way they will learn to get along is frequent short visits.
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| Posted 6/20/13 11:09 PM |
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halfbaked
LIF Adult
Member since 8/12 6937 total posts
Name:
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Re: New Puppy Issues
Posted by Traysee
What I would do is take a step back and take it slower. For now all you expect is that your dog at minimum ignores the puppy, and the puppy stays out of your dogs personal space. The next several meets, always be on neutral ground. Take lots of walks together. Your dog needs to learn that fun stuff happens when the puppy is around.
Don't force them to be close to each other. Don't put them face to face or let them meet with a barrier between them or at the ends of leashes head to head. They should be puppy butt to your dogs face for sniffing. Side by side with owners in between for walks. Dogs can get defensive behind barriers (screen doors, gates, fences, and owner possessive at the end of leashes).
At minimum your dog has to listen to you and ignore the puppy. It might take a while but it will hopefully happen if you take it slower. After several walks then you can move on to closer sniffing. Hopefully at some point your dog will start to greet his new walking buddy with a play bow and a low wagging tail. If he looks like he is on high alert and his tail is cocked straight up and erect he is still on guard.
Only let them be puppy butt to face... As in let your dog come over and sniff the puppy's butt while you are holding him. Avoid face to face. At most let them be side by side or butt to butt or butt to face for a while. You can also put the puppy's smell on your dog and vice versa. Rub the puppy with a towel and rub the towel on your dog and then rub that towel back on the puppy.
If you are in your parents house with your dog and the puppy then your dog goes on a leash at a stay by your side. Down stay, step on the leash. You can try keeping the puppy in his crate while you are there and letting your dog wander the house. But if he exhibits any aggression then back to leashed at a down stay by your side. Try to set up a situation that shows your dog that good things happen when the puppy is around.
I would also remove all toys or other objects that might make your dog get possessive. (You might be that object and in that case then it's more long walks).
Just take it slow :o)
Thank you thank you thank you! I really appreciate your response. I didn't think of letting him greet the puppy in the way that's most natural to adult dogs- butt sniffing. lol! We did try to walk them together, but he won't even walk next to the puppy on the sidewalk. I guess it just surprised me since he's NEVER been this way and he's met dozens of dogs. I think he's getting older and less tolerant, too.
I also think I might be the object of posession... or maybe even my parents dog. He seemed to get very upset when the puppy was playing with my parents dog or when I was holding him- whining and drooling excessively. I think having the puppy crated and letting my dog scope out the place might help, too. Thank you again, this has been really helpful.  I'll keep you guys updated!
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| Posted 6/21/13 10:06 AM |
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halfbaked
LIF Adult
Member since 8/12 6937 total posts
Name:
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Re: New Puppy Issues
Posted by MrsG823
Give your dog a little time. Puppies tend to have "poor social skills". You can put the puppy on leash and have another adult assist you. Let your dog say hi and then hold the puppy back. The only way they will learn to get along is frequent short visits.
I know, you're right. My dog was always the lead runner in "poor social skills." He was always very rude, jumping on my parents dog and everything. I was surprised because the puppy didn't even have a chance to exhibit poor social skills! Though, I guess he did since he walked up to my dog face to face which is not really the norm for them. I mean I trained this dog to have a kitten for a best friend! I didn't think this would be nearly as taxing! lol! But I'm going to try and do it with the puppy similarly to how I trained him with the cat. Thanks again for all your help! You guys are the best!
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| Posted 6/21/13 10:09 AM |
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Traysee
LIF Adolescent
Member since 12/10 652 total posts
Name:
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New Puppy Issues
I find most adult dogs are not nearly as accepting as juvenile dogs. Its been my experience (as a professional dog handler) that they make a certain amount of friends growing up and then after about 3 years old that willingness starts to dwindle. It's like they say, "ok I have my pack and my outer circle of friends. I'm good. "
I wouldn't force them to walk next to each other, side by side. I would keep humans in between. And like PP said, frequency is the key. Lots of walks in sight of each other. You might not be able to go very far or for very long since the puppy is young and it's getting hot out. Or you might end up having to carry the puppy home :o)
You can also work on your training commands on the front lawn while the puppy is safely out of reach. Or just sit in the front of the house and have your dog next to you. Step on the leash to keep him close. If he shows friendly interest, praise, praise, praise. Try to avoid competition of treats and your affections towards the puppy. Reward your dog for being friendly, showing curiosity, and for ignoring the puppy. If he acts fearful, do not reward him. (no petting... praising fear is a bad thing to do) Instead redirect him into a sit or down and then praise him when he does it. Reward confidence and friendly forward motion :O) Do the same if he acts aggressively. Redirect him with a come and a sit and then reward him for that. Always try to redirect him to you. Even if redirecting him means he has taken his attention off the puppy and is looking/facing you instead of the puppy. "Look at me!" then treat when he does. Cheese and real meats are great motivators. We use chunks of string cheese in agility class and it works very well :O) Just break it in half the long way so they don't choke when they gobble them down, and then break off small chucks.
You don't want the puppy to have a bad experience with your dog and become fearful of other dogs because he got hurt. Puppies go thru very influential fear periods. You don't want them to have bad experiences during those stages because it can affect them for life.
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| Posted 6/21/13 11:15 AM |
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halfbaked
LIF Adult
Member since 8/12 6937 total posts
Name:
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Re: New Puppy Issues
Posted by Traysee
I find most adult dogs are not nearly as accepting as juvenile dogs. Its been my experience (as a professional dog handler) that they make a certain amount of friends growing up and then after about 3 years old that willingness starts to dwindle. It's like they say, "ok I have my pack and my outer circle of friends. I'm good. "
I wouldn't force them to walk next to each other, side by side. I would keep humans in between. And like PP said, frequency is the key. Lots of walks in sight of each other. You might not be able to go very far or for very long since the puppy is young and it's getting hot out. Or you might end up having to carry the puppy home :o)
You can also work on your training commands on the front lawn while the puppy is safely out of reach. Or just sit in the front of the house and have your dog next to you. Step on the leash to keep him close. If he shows friendly interest, praise, praise, praise. Try to avoid competition of treats and your affections towards the puppy. Reward your dog for being friendly, showing curiosity, and for ignoring the puppy. If he acts fearful, do not reward him. (no petting... praising fear is a bad thing to do) Instead redirect him into a sit or down and then praise him when he does it. Reward confidence and friendly forward motion :O) Do the same if he acts aggressively. Redirect him with a come and a sit and then reward him for that. Always try to redirect him to you. Even if redirecting him means he has taken his attention off the puppy and is looking/facing you instead of the puppy. "Look at me!" then treat when he does. Cheese and real meats are great motivators. We use chunks of string cheese in agility class and it works very well :O) Just break it in half the long way so they don't choke when they gobble them down, and then break off small chucks.
You don't want the puppy to have a bad experience with your dog and become fearful of other dogs because he got hurt. Puppies go thru very influential fear periods. You don't want them to have bad experiences during those stages because it can affect them for life.
Thanks again. We're definitely going to try some of these this weekend!
I totally agree about them being influential at this age- there are things that spooked my dog when he was a baby and he's still terrified of them to this day. Ear cleaning! 
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| Posted 6/21/13 11:40 AM |
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Traysee
LIF Adolescent
Member since 12/10 652 total posts
Name:
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New Puppy Issues
Well sometimes it's unavoidable no matter what you do. Such is life :o)
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| Posted 6/21/13 11:42 AM |
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