New puppy advice with an older dog

bugslet

Firstly Lola the 4 month old Giant Schnauzer is at puppy class, and I'll ask the question there as well, but thought I'd ask the good pet people on MSE.

Besides Lola, is a 15 year old terrier type who after a bad start in life, keeps much to herself and away from the rest of us. Then there is Heidi, 6, who is at the bottom of the rung and Ruby a mini schnauzer 9, who is topdog. ( I am aware that pack theory is open to debate, but for explanation purposes, it's how I'll relate things.

Lola arrives, does usual puppy things and annoys them all. Ruby especially puts up with it so far and then puts her in her place with growling and snapping, but no biting and Lola clams down, all fairly normal stuff.

Twice though Lola has really growled back and had a go at Ruby. The first time was with a tug toy that they had been happily playing with and then it turned into a plain fight. Lola is significantly larger than Ruby, and I had to split them up - neither of them were paying me any attention. Having split them up, Ruby went into a very straight, stiff pose, tail up and doing the tail quiver thing.

Just had some rumblings that were starting to sound serious again, whilst sharing a bed. Told Lola off and got Ruby to one side before it potentially got out of hand.

I appreciate it's difficult to comment without seeing them together, but wondered on general thoughts/experience. Is it just puppy pushing it too far?

sheramber

Your youngster is maturing and pushing boundaries. but it may also be a battle of power between two !!!!!es.

Be aware that !!!!!es do not always get on which can lead to having to keep them separated. !!!!!es can fight to the death so I would not let situations develop.

Put toys away and allow them out when you can supervise. Watch the body language and distract them if things begin to escalate. Telling a dog off for growling does not change how they feel. it just teaches them not to growl so they do give any warning, just strike out.

Rather call the dog to you and distract with a game or a few training moves- come, sit, down, give a paw etc.

If things continue or escalate then get professional help early from someone who can see the two of them interacting and assess the situation first hand.

bugslet

Thanks for taking the time to answer sheramber.

I am aware of the potential problems with multiple female dogs - luckily so far I've never had any problems and I've had up to 5 at one time.

Thanks for the distraction advice - I'm hoping that with a few more boundaries and a bit more age, she'll find her place.

Person_one

Were there any actual injuries from the fight? Are the older dogs in the house all neutered?

bugslet

No I broke it up almost as soon as it started. Yes all the others are spayed.

Ruby, the one Lola has fought with, is the one she wants to spend the most time with. She likes to sleep next to Ruby if she can, see pic on earlier thread!

As I understand it, being a giant schnauzer, she is still definitely in the puppy stage, far too young at four months to be an adolescent.

I may be worrying over nothing, but if I'm not, it's definitely something I want to be prepared for and have a strategy for.

bugslet

It's the old one I'm more worried about guava! She's a mini, the new one is a Giant and she's going to figure out soon that she can get her own way if she throws her weight around!

I'm not sure splitting them up would ever be the answer, one of them would lead a very seperate lonely life.

Person_one

I'd probably just keep a watchful eye for now, lots of dogs who live together have a bit of a 'handbags at dawn' mini scrap from time to time. Do none of your other dogs occasionally seem like they want to tear each other to bits but then wander off a minute or two later with not a scratch on them and go back to being buddies?

Your pup is learning, but she has several older and presumably well socialised and well behaved dogs to learn from, so she will. I would definitely definitely try and put all the pack theory rubbish out of your mind though. The dogs won't be thinking that way and it certainly won't help any bonding issues if you are.

bugslet

Person_one wrote: »

I'd probably just keep a watchful eye for now, lots of dogs who live together have a bit of a 'handbags at dawn' mini scrap from time to time. Do none of your other dogs occasionally seem like they want to tear each other to bits but then wander off a minute or two later with not a scratch on them and go back to being buddies?

Your pup is learning, but she has several older and presumably well socialised and well behaved dogs to learn from, so she will. I would definitely definitely try and put all the pack theory rubbish out of your mind though. The dogs won't be thinking that way and it certainly won't help any bonding issues if you are.

You know, I have the most harmonious dog household going. The last time there was a bit of a to do was when one of the male dogs, died over 5 years ago, showed a bit more interest in Tilly than she wanted. She battered him and he wet himself.....wussy boy:p.

I'm hoping she will learn from them and I'm worrying over nothing, will see how things go.

Thanks for your thoughts.