[Ginger12]

Hello.
We have a new addition at our home and are wondering how to help the older dog understand how to treat our mini doxie? She is 2 lbs and the golden is 65 lbs? Any thoughts? Should I let them play together? Will our hyper golden figure out how gentle to be? Or is this an accident waiting to happen? I don't want the golden to feel left out but I want the doxie to be safe too? All the advice I can get is so appreciated.

Ginger

[TheSavage]

Oddly enough dogs seem to be able to sense the size difference and act more gentle with smaller dogs.
The girl next door has 3 saint Bernard's, 2 rotwiler, a lab, and this miniature dachshund. All get along fine with the little dog [ even though 2 of the big ones need to be kept separated] and its funny as heck watching them play.
Hope this helps --- Savage

[labman]

Likely the Golden will resent the new comer. You need to be careful to reassure the Golden you love her. Show your joy at having the puppy, and try to relax and not be stressed. The Golden read your emotions and take its clue from you. More so if you have done a good job of providing the Golden with the leadership dogs need. Being top dog is the key to successful dog ownership.

If so, at 2 years old, the Golden should still be interested in the puppy type play. It may look look rough, but usually older dogs do fine with puppies. There may be some yelps at first as the older dog works out just how gentle it needs to be. Young puppies have stinky, puppy breath that signals adults to be tolerant of the puppy or maybe that it is a young dog and not prey. I would keep the Golden on leash at first in order to pull her off more quick if you think you see problems. As long as the Golden doesn't raise her hackles, make quick short snaps, low grows, or pick the puppy up and shake it, let them go. Step in if you see the puppy making desperate attempts to get away and doesn't keep coming back for more.