It never fails to astonish me when I read something along this line. Please do not get me wrong I appreciate your desire for a puppy ( who doesn't love a puppy?) But you begin your explanation with the description of what would appear to be a very dysfunctional pack.
It is rarely easy to blend males, but to casually mention there have been many bloody fights is a big concern. Fighting in your home and pack is not normal. And frankly not acceptable. With the ages you mention for the remaining dogs it may have been much wiser to wait a while before bringing a newcomer into the home.
But what is done is done...so let's roll up the mental sleeves and see what we can figure out to protect all concerned and with any luck transition your new pup into the pack and your home.
Let me ask some questions and depending on the answers all of us will be much better able to assist you, okay?
Do you have a fenced yard?
Are these house dogs or yard dogs?
Do they have a shelter in the yard ? Must they share it?
Do they have crates in the house?
Are all of your dogs crate trained?
What kind of training do your dogs have? from basic manners , pet smart classes to obedience classes???
How often do your dogs go to the vet?
Do any of them have an existing health issue?
Where do your adult dogs eat? How often do you feed them?
Where do the dogs sleep?
Where is puppy kept when you are at work?
Do you realize at 7 weeks the pup has minimal bite inhibition so mouth play will be an issue until you and the elderly dogs have finished that part of his training?
Have you considered a basket muzzle for the chow mix? this is not a punitive reaction it is a proactive one. Why pay for a huge vet bill when a $20.00 lightweight muzzle could prevent most of the damage an attack by an uneven tempered dog would produce?
Have you had the vet check the chow-mix's mouth? If there are any damaged or rotting teeth a dog can become understandably intolerant of mouth play. And unfortunately the smell is an attractive thing to a young pup.
The Chow-mix is altered yes?
Can you establish specific play areas with baby gates ,while puppy is so very young? Allowing only limited and controlled play time.
Crate training and feeding only in the crate will remove the desire to share or steal food. Food fights are an entirely different kind of fight. check into resource guarding. If your older dog is reacting this way to the puppy you will have two dogs to train not one.
When the new kid came in the house did you spend most of the time cuddling and cooing over it? As opposed to minimal attention to the interloper and a ton of attention to the established pets??? chances are pretty good you may have set the scene for a jealous reaction...
Puppies are beyond wonderful, they smell great, cuddle sweetly and are open to anything.... but our first and last responsibility belongs to the first comers, the old kids. Don't worry about your female ignoring the pup, that is entirely okay. She will interact as she wants to , do not force it. If she stays away or chases it off that is all good. watch your reactions, Lavish attention on her, talk to her about the new dog in the same tone you would about taking a walk or reading a good book. If he is being puppy funny laugh with her, your hands on her , loving and accepting and letting her know you think he is funny too, or a bit of a pest etc.etc. Normally older girls warm up after a while, they just want it on their terms not yours, not "it's" ....
The danger lies with the Chow Mix. This dog has been allowed to battle with a house and yard mate. It is now using what you term an aggressive level of growling. Unacceptable. He may be older but he needs some specific training and yes first thing I would do is purchase the basket muzzle. It is easy for them to wear, not tight and suffocating. Think greyhounds, they wear these to race as even gentle greyhounds can get excited and fights can happen.
I look forward to your answers , since they will allow us to be of greater help to you. check out my profile photos and you will see I have a number of dogs in my pack at all times , they are adored and well trained, but because we are careful and understand dogs we take few chances that could cause a forever problem.
Bonita of Bwana
Bonita of Bwana