I'd try to find a local trainer who is highly qualified to help in this situation.
We rescued 5 month old lab from shelter 6 years ago (Honey) to join our 5 year old male lab (Harley) and then later brought in 5 month old female (Millie) who Honey adores. Over time, she became aggressive toward Harley, but not Millie. Honey did not want me to show Harley any attention. Our male lab passed 8 months ago, and we just recently rescued a 5 month old female. Honey is having nothing to do with new puppy: she growls and jumps on puppy for no reason. Plus, I can sense she is jealous because Millie has accepted puppy. I now regret rescuing new puppy. Why can't everyone get along? Any advice would be greatly appreciated! I feel so sorry for Honey because she is clearly miserable.
I'd try to find a local trainer who is highly qualified to help in this situation.
I second the above, a certified behaviorist may also be helpful.
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Tammy
Maxx and Emma Jean
Ozzy - 10/2002 - 06/2011 - Rest well my sweet boy. You are forever remembered, forever missed, forever in my heart.
how long have you had the new dog, and how did you introduce and integrate them?
Has Honey spent time with other odgs at all? Other than Harley?
My recommending without having more info: seperate them as much as possible. Use baby gates and such. limit their interactions. But bring them for short wakls (outside the home) together. Some dogs need very slow integration to accept a new dog. Depending how long you have had the dog, after a week of seperation you can let them hang out together when you are around. Do make sure that the younger dog is properly exercised (mentally and physically) and ready for downtime here though. You may want to let hte younger dog drag a leash to help redirect if they go to bug the other dog. Then very slowly over the week let them spend more time together. HOWEVER, always seperate with physical barriers when you are not there to actively supervise.
Oh remove all toys when they are loose in the same room. Feed very seperately.
Make sure the younger dog, once it has settled in, gets appropriate socialisation with other dogs. Socialisation means POSITIVE experience to a level the dog can handle and still be relaxed. You want to work on the younger dog being social via positive experience with other dogs. Be cautious to not stack stressors (ex: if new places stress dog, and new dogs tress the dog, DO NO have them meet a new dog in a new place).
And yes, I would get a trainer involved (not something that advertizes being pack leader, opt for more positive style training - which is NOT luring with treats and being permissive)
ETA: oh wait you hve three dogs? Millie as well as Honey and the dog dog? I woudl seperate the new dog from the other two then. If millie and the new dog get along they can get more time together sooner (supervised) but I would go slow and give honey her own space for awhile.
Ivy
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I agree with Tanya. Keep in mind too that some dogs (I have one) can only stand so much of other dogs before they get irritated. It sounds like Honey is maybe jealous of the new pup. Do things with JUST her and when you do activities with the new pup, include her in them. Our dog got jealous whenever she saw us doing ANYTHING with Maverick. We had to sneak him out of the house to do training or to work on leash walking. Give her something special and let her know she's still a good girl.
I do agree with getting a trainer and/or behaviorist. They will be able to help with the family dynamic and give advice on getting along together.
Thank you for the thoughtful advice above. We have had the puppy for 4 weeks. Honey never spent any time with other dogs except Harley who was our dog when Honey arrived on the scene and Millie who we brought in after Honey was about 3 years old. It's strange that over time, Honey resented Harley, but adores Honey. I can't help but wonder if Honey is possessive and jealous of other dogs because she was in a shelter in a large pen with about 14 dogs until I adopted her at 5 months of age. I didn't plan on bringing in the new puppy. I rescued her out of the expressway: thin, no tag or chip, and exhausted.
no all dogs like other dogs. she learned to love her "pack" her "family". It may take awhile but hopefully if she is given space and some one on one time and work on some exercises (I would work with a trainer on this front) she will learn to accept and possibly even like the new addition.
you've rocked her entire world. she isn't used ot strange dogs (and possibly doesn't care for them or fears them) and you have suddenly brough a strange new dog into her home. Give her time. Give her space. Get a trainer to recommend some positive exercises to help her accept the new dog.
Ivy
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I would also make sure the pup knows Honey comes first. Honey gets her food put down first. She gets a treat first etc.
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