Three's a Crowd?

    • Gold Top Dog

    Three's a Crowd?

    Our dogs Bailey, a 3 yr old maltese, and Woofie, a 5 yr old Lhasa mix are best friends. They have the best relationship I have ever seen. They really love each other.

    Two days ago we got a 13 week old West Highland White Terrier, Max. The puppy wants to play, but Bailey and Woofie won't have anything to do with him.

    If Max gets within 4 feet of Woofie, Woofie gives a ferocious bark and air-snaps at him. Bailey just gets as far away as he can, perched on the back of a recliner or sofa where the puppy can't get to.

    Bailey and Woofie don't play together anymore. They won't even eat. They won't come to me to go out to potty. I have to go pick them up and take them outside.

    Is there anything I can do?

    • Gold Top Dog

     It has only been two days. In my experience it takes a while for everyone to get used to the new arrangements and some of the old dynamics may change a little. I would not worry at this time.

     For instance Gunnar ignored Hektor the first couple of months and seemed to not like him at all. They play well together now and they seem to miss the other one on the few occasions that they are seperated.

     They will eat. Put their food down, give them 10 minutes to eat it and then pick it back up. Do not offer it again until the next feeding time, and they will eat

    • Gold Top Dog

    I keep the new puppy crated for a couple weeks (while house training) to let the resident dogs get used to the new puppy smells and noises. You may have thrust the new pup in the mix in a way that caused the resident dogs to feel invaded. It sounds like you're letting the puppy have free reign and I wouldn't do that yet. You need to make the house "safe" for Bailey and Woofie. They need to feel that they can come and go just like always without being confronted with this new little creature. They also need to feel that your "feelings" for them haven't changed. 

    Make sure to spend lots of time with Bailey and Woofie without the puppy. Take the 2 of them on walks together. That's my most important advice. That and give it time. These things take a couple weeks sometimes.

    Also, when you're close to the puppy, make sure to pay a lot of attention to the other 2. Give them treats. Try to make positive associations to the new pup, so that they will think, "Hmmm... when that puppy's around, we get really good treats. When that puppy'e around, we get to play with mom. Maybe that puppy isn't so bad after all."

    Good luck and be patient. Congrats on the new puppy!  

    • Gold Top Dog

    I doubt there is a method of introduction which does not cause some degree of stress to your original resident dogs, but since there's no way to explain yourself to the dogs, it's a matter of being persistent, and loving, and knowing that in time the dust will settle, and one day your two dogs will be the best of friends.

     

    Puppies usually pester adult dogs unmercifully.  New puppies are so precious, that sometimes it's easy to make a big fuss of them and temporarily forget about the older dogs. This can lead to problems between them, such as jealousy and power struggles, and upset the natural order of things. So ALWAYS make a point of treating your resident dogs as the Number 1 dogs, and the new puppy will recognize this and follow your lead.

     The keys to success are patience and observation.  Expect that the social system may shift. The dog that you always thought of as the "boss dog" may not only be relegated to a lower position, but may also prefer that. 

    For the most part, dogs adjust to puppies easily, but since the consequences of a problem can be severe, it is wise to follow a slow introduction process to ensure all goes well with adding a new puppy to your home. Some people believe that the puppy and resident dogs shouldn’t even be together except for passing each other when going out to the bathroom or going to dinner places and bed places.  This will give plenty of time to get use to the smell and sounds of the new puppy. 

     

    IMO a crate is a must!  The puppy should only have guarded social visits with the resident dogs until you feel they are excepting of each other and even then the puppy should not be allowed to pester the adult dogs.  If that happens, kindly just place the puppy back in his crate and give the resident dogs all the love, attention and affection they are use to.

     

    Two days is nothing!  It took my resident two dogs a full month to become acceptant and happy to have my third member as part of the family – granted my third addition was a 1.5 year old rambunctious rescue, but a puppy introduction could take just as long.  

     

    Congratulations on the pup!  Pictures please... ???   and please send some puppy breathe my way. Big Smile

     

    • Gold Top Dog

    Thank you all.  I have resisted considering that the resident adults could be "jealous".  Now, as I ignore the puppy, Bailey is on my lap drinking up my attention.

    The crate is on the floor, mostly unused. I will focus on making it a positive experience for the pup, and hopefully reinforcing Bailey and 

    Woofie's  position in the household.

     And as for pictures, yesterday I was getting ready to take Max's picture by the pond when he fell in! I grabbed him by the scruff of the neck and pulled him out. At that point he looked like a drowned rat so the photo session had to be postponed.

     

    • Gold Top Dog

    racuda
    I have resisted considering that the resident adults could be "jealous".

     

    I wouldn't call it jealous, either. I think it's more a "fear of the unknown" or "discomfort with the unfamiliar". I have found that if I can provide familiarity to the resident dogs, they are more comfortable and accepting of the new kid on the block. A new pup disrupts the routine that dogs are SO comfortable with. So naturally, there's going to be some response and even resistance.

    • Gold Top Dog

    Oh, I have no problem calling it jealousy.  Luke was put out for a full week when I brought Kaiser home.  He wanted nothing to do with either of us and made a point to go to other people for attention.  When Kaiser came near him, Luke wrinkled his nose like he had stepped in poop.  If Kaiser persisted, Luke would snarl at him and go curl up in the corner when I yelled at him for doing so.

    Slowly he started to come around.  It's been just over a month now and they get along splendidly.  Kaiser often curls up to sleep right next to Luke and dare I say, I think Luke likes it.  They play together very well.

    Give it time, it will work out!  Congratulations on your new puppy!

    • Gold Top Dog

    KarissaKS
    He wanted nothing to do with either of us and made a point to go to other people for attention.

    Casey does this too! For the first few nights the new foster is home, he gets cranky... but he does get over it. And he even seems to miss them when they are gone!

    I make it a huge point to do alone stuff with Casey - long walks, dog park, petstore, anything that is just me and him having a good time.

    These things take time - lots of time. I bet they'll all be friends in no time!

    • Gold Top Dog
    I took a picture yesterday. Here is the new kid. Notice the determined expression on his face.
    • Gold Top Dog

    Oh wow!!  What a beauty!!  He does look determined and full of the devil.  As for the dog in pond, that was a perfect moment for a photo opportunity if you ask me - soaking wet puppy pic's!Wink