Older dog being bullied by new dog.

Question
Hi Patti,
I'm writing as I'm a little concerned about my 9 year old golden retriever. Six weeks ago we got a puppy which is a cross between a golden retriever and a springer spaniel, she is now twelve weeks old. The older dog is a rescue dog and has been with us for two years and she is a very quiet and affection dog but comes more alive with other dogs around, hence why we got another dog, we also choose a puppy as we felt the older dog would be able to be the more dominant one rather than getting an older dog again. But during their play, the older dog is less putting the puppy in her place and I'm now beginning to notice little cuts on the older dogs mouth. The puppy is not being particularly aggressive and I feel that the puppy very much follows the older dog and licks her constantly in an affectionate way but I'm wondering should I interfere in their play to prevent the older dog getting hurt or will just trust that the older dog will put her in her place when she needs too. I would just like advice about the issue as I don't want the older dog to feel that we're not looking out for her or pushing her aside but I also don't want to interfere in the natural order of things. Hope you've some advice. Thanks
Aoife

Answer

Hi Aoife,

Your older dog may come alive around other dogs, but a puppy is a whole other animal, so to speak. A submissive adult dog might have been a better fit as a companion for your 9 year old Golden.

You need to carefully supervise your older dog and puppy, so that the older dog can be protected from the puppy's boundless energy. When you can't be watching the puppy, she needs to be crated, which is okay, since she needs to learn to take a "time out" now and then.

If your older dog is very submissive and laid back, she might not ever get around to putting the puppy in it's place. The puppy may grow to be the more dominate dog. The puppy hasn't learned "bite inhibition" yet and might not learn it from your older dog. Your older dog is very sweet to put up with this. You can help teeth the puppy not to bite, even in play. Read more about that here:

http://www.canismajor.com/dog/bite2.html

It's okay to make the puppy stop licking and pestering your older dog. She needs some limits set, and now is the perfect time to start to teach her. Both dogs need to see you as the leader, and part of that is enforcing rules.

Do things with just your older dog without the puppy being present, such as walks, rides in the car (if she likes that), grooming, etc. Don't feed the older dog with the puppy, and don't change where the older dog sleeps at night. She needs to know that you still love her and that she hasn't been "replaced".

Best of luck,

Patti