Dog Community

new pup, new problem

Posted : 6/11/2006 7:48:58 PM

here's the situation:

    i recently adopted a 6 month old german shep, i already had a 4 year old mountain fesit/ terrier mix at home. the puppy adjusted to the resident dog instantly because well ... he's a pup. the 4 year old took a few days, but i'm impressed that now he plays and hangs out with him like they are old friends.
    sounds all kosher right? well, my resident dog is now eating like a squirrel. he is no pipsqueek, 50 lbs. of lean muscle so i worry because although he is not underweight, i don't think he has much more time before he starts to resemble a somalian refugee. i understand that it has only been a week, but i would eat my neighbor's mailbox after a week of no food so i can't imagine he is enjoying this hunger strike.
    is he trying to get my attention? i assumed that he would be pissed at the idea of another slobbering chew-machine in our home, but i thought it would be much less ambiguous. i am tempted to just leave food in his den, but that really goes against the structure he has grown to expect and that may make things worse. heck, then the puppy could get upset that he doesn't get food in his crate or the 4 year old could then reject scheduled feeding after placing him in his crate with a food bowl.
    i just want my boys to be happy, safe and healthy as we all do i'm sure. i wish i could get into his head and tell him that he has nothing to worry about ... and to stop eating coke cans but that's a whole other issue. i need ideas, thoughts, past experiences, and by all means anything else you may deem helpful for my mellowdramatic mutt.

so let's hear it, flex that k9 IQ!

kennel_keeper

Posted : 6/11/2006 8:47:18 PM

Are they fed at the same times and in the same room? Which bowl do you put down first?

Your older dog has been used to being first and the pack order should not change. The younger pup should have to wait to get his food AFTER the older dog. I know it seems trivial and we probably don't think much about how were putting food down, but it can make a difference in pack order. IF your older guy thinks you are ranking the pup ahead of him, he may be willing to accept that order and eats only a pitance of what he used to eat. You may try giving him his food prior to putting down anything for the puppy and maybe give him something special in his bowl every now and then so the he understands you still regard him as you did before in your pack.

I may be totally off base, but it just came to me while I was reading your question.

mptopo01

Posted : 6/11/2006 9:41:22 PM

hey you know what, that makes total sense don't be so apologetic. i see how that works, and fits in with my dog's personality. he has obveously been much more perseptive than i. this is just one problem i am having with owning two dogs, i have confused all of us. i have let my pup initiate playing at inappropriate times and caused other messes. i have a lot of work to do and am not sure where to start, but this does help with the food issue. thanks!

kennel_keeper

Posted : 6/12/2006 4:12:51 AM

Start with always greeting your older dog first. In a "wild" pack, the higher ranking members are always greeted first. Never give the pup any attention before your older pup. He will soon get the idea that "HE" is "top dog" and every thing should fall back into place.

GOOD LUCK and keep us posted!

mptopo01

Posted : 6/12/2006 7:08:38 AM

thanks so much!