Resident dog and New Puppy

Question
Hi Kristen,

I have a 4 year old shepherd mix male and have brought home a 9 week old miniature poodle puppy.  Its been a few days and so far they seem to be getting along fine, except that my 4 year old ignores the puppy most of the time.  Does not seem interested in playing with the puppy...he is not agressive at all, just prefers to be away from the puppy if possible.  Is there anything I can do to help them socialize -- worried this might cause future problems.  Also, the resident dog was neutered at 12 weeks, we are considering not neutering this puppy but if this will cause a problem between the two then we would. Is it possible for them to get along if we do not neuter the puppy?

Thanks so much,
Carol

Answer
Carol, it's not uncommon for an older adult dog to not really LOVE playing with a young puppy. I wouldn't worry about it at all, unless the older dog started being a bully towards the puppy. Don't take that to mean that if the older dog growls and/or snaps at the puppy if the puppy is jumping all over him and being a pest, that you have a problem. The puppy needs to be corrected for rudeness, after all. What I mean is that if the older dog starts behaving as if he is actively seeking the puppy out to bully or dominate, which, from your description, I think is unlikely but still something to watch for, you may have to take some action.

What I would do would be to try and spend as much one-on-one time with the both of them as possible. Play with the puppy and tire him out so he is not as apt to go and harass the older dog. Enroll him in a puppy class so that he can begin learning some basic commands and have playtime with other puppies his age to tire him out. Don't just rely on the older dog to keep the puppy in line, so to speak. Don't allow the puppy to harass the older dog. When you see that the older dog is becoming annoyed, try to redirect the puppy with a toy or something, to get his mind off your other dog and allow the older dog to 'make an escape.'

Many people don't realize that 'socialization' does not have to mean playing with other dogs. Just being around other dogs and being able to control him/herself is just as good, if not better, because then the dog isn't constantly trying to get to other dogs to play with them.

I'm curious to know why you don't intend on neutering your new puppy. There really is no reason not to, what with the health benefits and all that go along with neutering. On top of that, leaving him intact is going to increase his likelihood of developing marking/territorial behaviors, becoming a bully towards your older dog, and increasing his desire to roam and find a mate, which he does not need to do. The only exception is if you are planning to show him in conformation. Otherwise, I'd have him neutered at or before 6 months of age if it were me.