we got a new 5 month old lab/pit bull mix puppy a couple days ago. We adopted him from a rescue group. We have a 3 year old golden and I am unsure if they are getting along. The puppy bullies the golden by nipping/biting at him on his face, and body or he takes whatever the golden has. My golden is very jumpy and DOESN'T stop the behavior but the golden seems very nervous around the puppy. My golden will run towards us and gives us this look like "help". Right as my golden sits or lays down the puppy runs and jumps on him. Sometimes the puppy will come up lick his face and keep going, the golden still even jumps or seems extremely nervous about this too. The puppy was in a foster home with two older dogs and did fine, the golden has played with friends dogs many times and was fine. The odd thing is that my golden is not fixed but the puppy is. Should I be worried and what can I do??
2007-04-16 05:31:40 · 12 answers · asked by akmassaro 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
The best suggestion I have to offer is be patient. The two of them are getting used to each other still. Likely, the puppy is trying to be playful, and the golden isn't yet sure what to make of the puppy. With the puppy jumping on the golden, it does seem like its being friendly and playful, and the golden may not be used to such a fiesty youg pup. Give them time, and they will quickly be good friends. Unless they outright fight, I wouldn't be conserned, and even then they may just be establishing dominance. Most fights are all bark and show, not actual intentional damage. Don't reassure the golden too much, or it will just rely on you to handle everything. Make sure the dog learns to handle the situation on its own. But, from the sound of it, they will be getting along great in no time.
2007-04-16 05:41:51 · answer #1 · answered by Cassiopea 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
This is completely normal behavior from your puppy. I have three dogs - started with a chow/lab mix adult and got a Chihuahua/rat terrier mix puppy. The puppy would nip at the neck and feet of the 3 year old lab mix. Then a year later I got a chihuahua puppy, and now he is doing the same thing to the rat terrier mix that she used to do to the lab. It is just how puppies play with other dogs.
Your golden is just going to have to get used to it. I have had dogs who were "socially dumb" in the ways of other dogs. I had one female bulldog in particular who upset all the other dogs she would meet because she didn't follow dog social rules - for example, she would go straight to butt-sniffing instead of nose sniffing first. I think your Golden might be like my bulldog - he doesn't know the dog rules. He is upset because he doesn't understand what is going on, but he will learn in time that the puppy is just playing. In the mean time:
1. Don't leave the dogs together when you can't attend them.
2. Make sure you give the golden a break from the puppy so it doesn't get too stressed out if you are home most of the time.
3. The puppy will outgrow this and the golden will get used to it eventually.
2007-04-16 05:45:46 · answer #2 · answered by industengr 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The new pup might be good with other dogs who will tell him when they have had enough and/or older dogs with a higher play drive than your dog. It must be sad to watch your older dog be so stressed out. they seemed mismatched as far as play drive and personality. Maybe your golden would appreciate a place of his own to be able to lay down without being bothered. Some dogs grow up and still want to play very hard and others don't. My 13 year old Aussie used to initiate playing with my blue Heeler puppy daily, but when she would want to quit she'd tell him by growling loudly and he's back off.
2007-04-16 06:17:52 · answer #3 · answered by Ktcyan 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No this behavior is very normal from both dogs. But the puppy is not bulling you older dog, he is playing. And just like babies learn through play so do puppies. Your older dog and the puppy will learn to find a common ground. Encourage your older dog to play with the pup by playing fetch with them at the same time. The older dog can teach the pup what is to be done. thus earning the proper respect from the pup.
2007-04-16 05:51:59 · answer #4 · answered by krzytru 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i commend you for adopting a pup. however the pit bull blood is a worry. you MUST stop the pup from taking food or bed or anything from the senior dog. reinforce the older dogs rights immediately they are infringed. or you will have a big problem soon! nipping and biting the other dog..no! and slap his butt if you can as he does it, while saying NO loudly.if he wont stop remove him till he calms down, and you need to keep doing it till he understands.That look that says HELP! is just that!! offer the pup a diversion, a toy a chew bone, something to allow the older dog a break. and if the older dog nips or growls let him!! he is maybe?? i hope!! going to try and assert his dominance. allow him to do so! persist or you will have a very stressed older dog, and possibly trouble later as he ages. good luck!
2007-04-16 05:44:51 · answer #5 · answered by amicus curiae 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, Don't worry. Golden's are normally known to tolerate anything. You're new puppy is just trying to play with it's new friend. The other puppies you're new puppy probably played with might have either showed you're pup who's boss already or they might be hyper enough to play with you're puppy. Golden's will tolerate you're puppy but maybe someday show you're puppy who's boss. You're older dog is just annoyed or the younger pup. Nothing to worry about, It will all calm down eventually.
~Katherine~
2007-04-16 05:42:32 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
first off,i sure think you are super fine people to take the puppy from the rescue group. the puppy is a pit,and they are aggressuve and lab is so loving.when they get older there will be a fight or two to show who is the domanite one.and if they can live with that,it's fine... i think the lab will be more a submissive one,and will be fine.. i have a puppy i found in the country,and she will never get along with any other dogs.she's been so abused,and this home she's in now,she just won't share it with anyone... good luck good hearted people....and thanks for people like you...
2007-04-16 05:47:54 · answer #7 · answered by jcr 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They're just starting to work out their place in the household between themselves. Hopefully your golden will soon stand up for himself and put the puppy in his place, but unless things start to escalate to where you think someone will get hurt, it's best to let them work it out themselves.
It would be good for your golden to make sure he has chances to get away from this puppy from time to time. A 5 month old puppy is pretty wearing on most adults.
2007-04-16 05:38:26 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Goldens are a very nurturing breed of dog, and you old fellow may be reluctant to discipline the "baby". You, however, do need to discipline him and teach him what kind of behavior is acceptable. He is going to be a very big dog soon, and will need to learn to exercise restraint around people and other pets. If you see him doing something that stresses your older dog, command him "NO!" and separate them if necessary. The sooner you start the better he will respond, and the better dog he will grow up to be.
2007-04-16 05:44:27 · answer #9 · answered by Darla G 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
jelousy plays a big role here. Your older dog is jelous of the treatment your giving the new puppy. I have a male balck lab and we got a female black lab pup intinding to breed them when she came of age. He hated her with a passion. They got in crazy nasty fights when she was younger. But as she got older and matured they were incepreble. They slept together and everything! Although a female is more territorial to another female then a male so it will take a while but she will get over it just as mine did. My female is now pregnant with her first litter and due any day! So beleive me they got over it! :) hope i helped!
2016-04-01 04:20:11 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋