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New Puppy -- behavior problems

19 10:39:12

Question
My question is in regards to our new dog, but I feel I should give you some background first.  My husband and I have a 6 year old Jack Russell mix, Milo, who we have had since he was 2 years old.  We got him from a shelter, and he has always been conflicted about his feelings around other dogs.  He played with them in the beginning, but has gradually been more and more fickle in who he chooses to play with, despite our constant efforts at socialization.  We adopted another dog when Milo was four years old, a three year old boxer.  She had been abused and was very subdued in the beginning, but gradually came out of her shell.  Milo was upset with her in the beginning and would growl when she came near him, which never completely ended, but they eventually became friends and would play.  Unfortunately, at the age of 5 she became ill, and despite our best efforts, there was nothing that could be done to save her.

So here are my questions :).  Recently, we decided to get another dog and adopted a 10 month old boxer, a rescue.  He is very submissive, but definitely not subdued.  He loves other dogs and wants to play all the time.  He just doesn't seem to understand cues from other dogs.  When we are at the dog park, other dogs will get overwhelmed with him and growl and jump at him, and he just keeps wanting to play with them.  There have been times where they really go after him and he barks back, but then goes right back into trying to play.  This is a particular problem with Milo.  Wrigley, the boxer, will pounce at him (not on him), and Milo with bark and growl and chase him away.  We try to let this happen so that he will learn, but he just doesn't get the message and Milo is miserable.  He even hides under the bed a lot of times.  I just don't know what to do to get through his head that all dogs don't want to play with him all the time.

Thank you for your help.

Answer
You need to try to find other young dogs for Wrigley to play with.  Once past 3 years old, many dogs don't want anything to do with puppies, their sharp little teeth, and their biting games.  You need to teach the puppy to leave the older dog alone.  As soon as the puppy starts to focus on the older dog, give it a sharp ''Ah, ah, ah!'' and offer it a chew toy.