[deannwilliams]

How do I get my 3 yr old chihuahua to accept my 3 month old Italian Greyhound? The puppy is smaller than the chihuahua, but he acts scared of the puppy. He tries to bite him if he is too close and shows his teeth when he is around. Help, please!!

[labman]

By the time they are 3 years old, many dogs lose interest in puppy biting games. In addition, many dogs are not thrilled to be sharing their territory, home, and worst of all, their people with a new dog. I would work at teaching the puppy to leave the older dog alone just as you teach it to leave many of your other possessions alone. It isn't easy. We have been fighting Xanthe ever since we got her 2 weeks ago to leave our 14 year old Lab alone. Much of the time, we just put Aster in the living room beyond the gate that protects everything else in the living room.

Damaged possessions are the fault of whoever was watching the puppy. When you are watching it, immediately correct it as soon as it goes for anything except its own toys. In a quiet, but firm voice give it an ''Ah, ah, ah!''. Gently remove what ever and replace it with one of her toys, or if older, hold eye contact until the puppy drops it.