Family dog is not warming up to new puppy

Question
I have a 7 year old Lab. Recently i got a new chiwawa to add to my family. The lab has never really done well interacting with other pets. So now, whenever the chiwawa comes into the same room as the Lab, the lab runs away acting scared. She doesn't seem to be getting used to the fact that the chiwawa is here to stay. Any advice for getting my Lab more comfortable with her new housemate?

Answer
Hi Morgyn,

You didn't say how long ago you brought the new Chihuahua into your home. It can take several months (anywhere from 2-6 months) before a new dog is accepted by a "resident dog".

You can help your Lab adjust to the new comer. Your Lab dog needs reassurances that you still love her. Give her lots of individual attention so she'll know that she still holds a special place in your heart and hasn't been "replaced".

Once together, adjustment is mostly a matter of coping with feelings of jealousy and sibling rivalry. Make a fuss over your Lab, and downplay the presence of the Chihuahua. Use the new dog as a cue for doing nice things with your resident dog: when you pat the new dog, pat the resident. When you take the new dog for a walk, take the old-timer. When you give the new dog a toy, give one to the resident. This will help to train your Lab to have positive feelings about the Chihuahua, since when she sees the new dog being patted or walked, she knows she will also enjoy these pleasures. When the quality of life for the resident dog improves as a result of the arrival of the newcomer, if now there are more pats, more walks, more toys, the resident, one hopes, will come to feel "Hey, maybe this isn't so bad"!

For the first few months, it's a good idea to give each dog some separate attention without the other one around to try to horn in too. But it's also important to have playtime with both dogs. Keep it very happy and lively, give out plenty of treat during these play periods (it's called "Positive Reinforcement"), every so often during the play sessions get the attention of both dogs and give each a treat in return for obeying a simple command, such as "sit" or "stay." This will reinforce your position as "pack leader". Your Lab can learn that good times can go hand in hand with the new Chihuahua!

Don't change sleeping arrangements for your Lab. If she sleeps on the bed with you continue to let her, but I suggest putting the Chihuahua in a crate in your bedroom or somewhere else if that is what you choose.

Don't force the dogs to be together. Their way of resolving differences and establishing a relationship may be by avoiding each other. They may rotate their activities, sleeping, eating, and playing at different times, it's okay and it will probably change in time.

Confine the Chihuahua when you aren't present to supervise. Even when the two dogs seem to be tolerating each other well, continue for at least one month to confine the newcomer when you aren't home.

It may take them several months to reach a comfort level with one another, but I think in time, the dogs two will at least tolerate each other. There's no way to predict if they will become pals and playmates, you simply can't force a dog into acceptance.

I hope I've been a help.
Best of luck,
Patti