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doglover55 · Jun 29, 2009, 12:01 PM

I have had my chihuahua puppy since he was 7weeks old- he is now 3 months. I have an older dog which is a cross and he is 12 years old. I have had the older dog since he was 1, he is as soft as anything and really well behaved.

When I first brought the puppy home, the older dog was very interested but now that the puppy is getting older he seems to not like him very much. He always tries to get away from the puppy (the puppy then thinks he is playing so chases him more) and he ends up going upstairs in a huff. All the puppy want to do is sniff him.

Although I have noticed that when I am not in the room the older dog is fine and just sits there and ignores the puppy. How can I get them to get on better when I'm in the room and for the older dog to stand his ground (be a good influence)?:confused:

jenniepepsi · Jun 29, 2009, 12:02 PM

Are they fixed? Males can get very territorial.

doglover55 · Jun 29, 2009, 12:04 PM

Originally Posted by jenniepepsi

are they fixed? males can get very territorial.

The older dog is but the puppy is not old enough as he is only 3 months. Got to wait until he is 6months for that.

jenniepepsi · Jun 29, 2009, 12:06 PM

Hmm, if the older dog is fixed then I'm not sure. It could simply be that he doesn't like the new dog. Dogs, like people, can dislike another dog.

Sorry I can't help more. I'm sure someone with the answer will come along soon.

redhed35 · Jun 29, 2009, 12:08 PM

I'm having the same problem.. young pup and older dog,I just wanted to subscribe to the thread.
Thanks.

shazamataz · Jun 30, 2009, 01:29 AM

Sounds to me like there are two problems...

Firstly the puppy is too boisterous for the 12 year old and plays a bit rough for him. You need to make a time out corner for the older dog and teach the puppy that when the older one is in this spot he is not to annoy him.

Secondly, the older dog may be jealous of the attnetion the new puppy is getting.
It is easy to give a new puppy more attention than an older dog even if you don't mean too.

Take the older dog outside for some extra play time or walks and see if this helps his behaviour.

doglover55 · Jun 30, 2009, 06:59 AM

Originally Posted by shazamataz

Sounds to me like there are two problems...

Firstly the puppy is too boisterous for the 12 year old and plays a bit rough for him. You need to make a time out corner for the older dog and teach the puppy that when the older one is in this spot he is not to annoy him.

Secondly, the older dog may be jealous of the attnetion the new puppy is getting.
It is easy to give a new puppy more attention than an older dog even if you don't mean too.

Take the older dog outside for some extra play time or walks and see if this helps his behaviour.

Thanks for that. The older dog does have the whole house to roam in as I do not yet let the puppy go anywhere but the living room until he is older. But I will give the section part a go.
I really try to give both the dogs the same amount of attention, the older dog is probably getting more because of the puppy :)

shazamataz · Jun 30, 2009, 08:36 PM

No problem :)

I am guilty of giving extra attention to a puppy at first, they are just so irresistible :o
It's not that I love the older dogs any less, it's just that they grow up so fast and I don't want to miss any of the cute puppy-things that they do :)