My puppy is bullying my older dog is a blog about my struggles with my 5-month-old and 11-year-old dog. The 5-month-old is very sweet and occasionally a handful, while the 11-year-old has mellowed out and wants to sleep all day.
We will feature discussions about their behaviour, how they interact, the challenges of having dogs of different ages in the same house, and interviews with professionals like veterinarians, pet groomers, and animal behaviourists.
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Why is my puppy bullying my older dog?
Every pet owner has felt this conflict and tension between their two dogs: your 16-year-old dog rules the house, while your 10-day-old puppy is the darling of the household. You cannot figure it out with a little bit of training or training gizmos.
It’s a living, breathing situation. You can’t just put an older dog in with a puppy and expect everything to be fine. The two dogs don’t have to get along perfectly, but if you want things to go smoothly, you must learn how your older dog and puppy can live comfortably in the same house.
Or, at the very least, they can live together without completely hating each other. One strategy I’ve found is using a crate. I like crates because they give the puppy a place to sleep and give the older dog quiet.
my puppy is bullying my older dog: 8 Causes & Solutions
- The puppy is too young. You may have had your puppy for a few days, but they are still very much a baby.
- There’s not enough exercise. For example, you have a Jack Russell Terrier, and she loves to run and play fetch, but your older dog loves to sleep in the sun all day. Her lack of exercise will be a problem in your puppy/older dog relationship.
- The older dog is not getting adequate mental stimulation. There’s a reason why dogs aren’t very smart when it comes to training: they think in the present tense. They don’t want to learn how to sit for cookies months from now; they want it now. They always want things immediately.
- The puppy is getting more attention than the older dog. You’re constantly taking care of the puppy and not giving your older dog enough attention and exercise, which will make both dogs unhappy.
- The competition for resources is too great between the two dogs. At times, I’ve seen two dogs in perfect harmony, but once one gets a toy or a treat, the other dog will start to get jealous.
- The puppy threatens the older dog. We all have had dogs that eat our homework and shred our clothes (man’s best friend). While most of it is silly behaviour on their part, some not-so-silly behaviour can be really upsetting to an older dog’s peace of mind.
- The older dog is getting more attention from the owner. Does your puppy get tons of treats and attention for being so cute? If the older dog gets jealous, his instinct might be to take it out on the pup by acting aggressively towards him.
- The older dog feels like he’s being bossed around by the puppy. Imagine a preschooler telling you what to do, making demands and expecting you to give in — that’s what your older dog will feel like if your puppy starts to boss him around as an adult.
How Do I Stop My Puppy From Bothering My Older Dog?
If your older dog isn’t used to being around other dogs, he might start to get nervous around them. You’ll want to keep both dogs off the furniture and away from one another when you’re not home. You can use a “no dogs allowed” sign near the couch or chair where they like to nap. Get your puppy on a leash when you go out for walks.
You might want to consider an electronic fence like The Fence Company. Bonds Between Your Pups. The older and younger dog must get along. If he’s not getting along well with your puppy, he might give up and run away from home. At this age, it’s best to put the older dog in his crate when the puppy is around. But remember that dogs don’t need to be created all the time.
Give Them Separate Areas
You can do this by giving the older dog his own space and giving the puppy his own space. Something like a doggy gate will help you out. The Greyhound Site has great suggestions on how to set up the area. You can also give your dog his bed, toys and treats.
If your puppy is getting in your older dog’s face, spray him with water from a squirt bottle to let him know you want him to back off. If you use a crate for the puppy, put it next to the older dog’s bed. If this doesn’t work out for both dogs, buy two crates.
Confine the older dog
If you have an area that your puppy is not allowed to go into, don’t give your older dog access too. Make sure he has a place to eat and sleep, but don’t set him up to be “the bad guy”.
Train the puppy
Have your older dog on a leash when you walk him. Teach the pup how to walk on a leash. You can use leashes with harnesses or head halters for small dogs. You can also go for walks at different times of the day and give both dogs some space between each other when they’re not in the house together, before or after walks.
Socialize Your Puppy
Take your dog to obedience classes to learn how to socialize with other dogs. You can also find a club for your dog breed to meet other dogs and their owners.
Patience is key
Before bringing the puppy home, ensure you’ve already taught your older dog how to be calm. If the puppy is going to be running around the older dog, they’ll have to live together peacefully.
Supervise Interactions
Never leave your older dog and puppy together unsupervised. If you’re not there to supervise, keep the older dog in his crate or put him in a room where the puppy can’t get to him.
Socialize Your Older Dog
Even if your older dog isn’t getting along with the puppy, there are ways you can solve this situation. I recommend signing up for doggy classes, so he’s exposed to other dogs regularly. You can also make sure that he has a friend who is neutered and spayed.
Final thought
If you’ve got a new puppy and an older dog, it’s important to remember that your dog is still a puppy. Be patient with them — puppies tend to act like it. And whatever you do, don’t give in to the puppy when he demands something. Your Older Dog (and Your Older Cat) Will Love You For It! For pet lovers, there’s nothing as rewarding as living with a cat or dog.
