It has been 7 months since we brought our puppy home, our older dog still does not like him. My puppy has been with other dogs outside/puppy daycare/training class and there is no problem. When he is home we have to keep them separate because the older dog does not stop growling, nipping, barking, even peeing on the floor which he has never done before. He is fine when the puppy is in his crate or in an other room with a baby gate at the doorway, but if he gets out and runs to him to play all heck breaks loose with these two. I would like to train the puppy to use the doggie door like the older dog, but I can't leave the puppy loose with the other dog around. Help::(

It has been 7 mos since we brought our puppy home, our older dog still does not like him. My puppy has been with other dogs outside/puppy daycare/training class and there is no problem. When he is home we have to keep them separate because the older dog does not stop growling, nipping, barking, even peeing on the floor which he has never done before. He is fine when the puppy is in his crate or in an other room with a baby gate at the doorway, but if he gets out and runs to him to play all heck breaks loose with these two. I would like to train the puppy to use the doggie door like the older dog, but I can't leave the puppy loose with the other dog around. Help::(


Your older dog might be jealous, he might have been hurt by the bouncing aggressive puppy - maybe he just doesn't like the puppy.

You're certainly handling things by keeping them apart unless you are there to supervise.

Is your older dog healthy?

When I was single I had an old (not older, old) German Shepherd, a rescue. I took in a Rott that was to be put down in the AM and they just plain didn't like each other. There was a lot of growling and posturing (never any fighting) but it was rather nerve wracking and I didn't know what to do - I really loved the GSD and didn't want to see him upset.

Then I got married and the Rott attached herself (like glue) to my husband and we were all fine. I think the GSD was just jealous of any little bit of attention I paid to the Rott which is sad because I went way out of my way to continue to spend a lot of time with the GSD. My husband could spend hours brushing the Rott and my GSD didn't care but all I had to do was TALK to the Rott and I could see the GSD getting upset.

Oddly enough I also had a Lab at the time and he loved everybody!