Older dog acting different after puppy is introduced?

Question

My older dog(female, spayed) is intimidated by my new (intact) male puppy! She walks around with her tail inbetween her legs and is very uptight - in other words, completely different than usual. The puppy doesn't even do much, except occasionally trying to wrestle with her, which is pretty normal for a puppy. It's been almost a week since I got him. Does this mean she, the older dog, is never going to get use to him?
And is there anyway to get her back to her usual self?

Answer 1

A dog’s tail is just one tool that the dog uses for communication. The dog also uses vocalization, scents, and other aspects of body language such as eye and ear movements, pupil dilation, and general body positions. Therefore, the dog has to be evaluated as a whole to determine what he/she is saying.

A confident and alert dog has his/her tail upright and may be wagging with slow sweeps. A dog’s wagging tail may be compared to a human’s smile. However, it is more accurately an indicator of a dog’s alertness. Depending on the breed, their tail may naturally curl over their back when held upright. The confident tail is accompanied by perky or relaxed ears and an inquisitive gaze.

A fast, enthusiastic wag indicates excitement or anticipation of something good, such as a treat or play time. A slow wag indicates that the dog is pleased. How fast a dog wags its tail depends on breed and personality, much like how different people express happiness in slightly different ways. One person may have a very small smile, while another person may have a wide smile with teeth showing.

In general, a relaxed tail indicates a relaxed dog. A tail that is held horizontal but not stiff indicates a dog that is interested in its surroundings. A tail that is horizontal but stiff means the dog is confronting an intruder or new object.

A fearful, insecure, or submissive dog has his/her tail lowered or tucked in between their hind legs. Their ears may be flattened against their head and their head may be lowered or turned to the side, revealing the whites of their eyes.

She will be back to her regular self as long as you retain an order as pack leader.

Answer 2

I have brought puppies into my house and I also foster for a rescue group. I actually have an older dog who does this. She mopes around the house and won't go near any dog I bring home for weeks at a time. Once she realizes the new dog isn't going anywhere, she starts to bond with the dog and eventually becomes friends. If your dog is older, she will probably not play with the puppy, but she will become motherly after a while and look after the puppy. Make sure you give your older dog as much attention as the puppy, even though that will be hard with puppies needing so much. You will want to make sure your older girl doesn't feel like you are replacing her. Set aside time to do things with her that you have done together in the past and you know she enjoys. I may take other dogs for walks and car rides, but my Sophie is the only one who gets to go to the puppy store, and come out in the front yard with mom.

Answer 3

Hey! the best way to introduce your new dog to your old one is with two people, put sampson on a lead and while some one else holds him, you can slowly bring the puppy up to him. This is safe because if sampson goes to fight with him you have control and can stop him from injuring the pup, if you get the puppy dont leave sampson alone with it for the first week make sure some-ones always there to keep an eye on them while there together, if you go to school or work full time you can always lock the puppy up in the laundry with newspaper on the floor. I hope this helps and just to let you know I have 2 jack russells my self and I think they are fantastic dogs but make sure you train the puppy while its young because they are known to be little terrers if there not trained from a young age. but i think you will be fine, even though sampsons 9 he'll get use to it, it's just like a kid getting use to a new sister or brother it takes time but we all get there

Answer 4

Since she is an older dog, I think the activity of the puppy is making her stress, and causing her to be nervous. You don't want her to feel like that too long, it's hard on their hearts when they are under stress. I would assure her as best you can, that she isn't replaced, she will let the puppy know when it has crossed the line. Don't allow the pup to keep interfering with your contact with the older dog, she will snap at one or both of you.It may take some time, or she may never adjust to another dog in the home, and will tend to herself and kind of stay out of everyone's way, which I think would be a terrible thing. Encourage her to interact with you, it takes time.

Answer 5

My female dog was 7 years old, and all she did was eat and sleep. We got a new puppy, also female, and I was worried how they would get along...at first my older dog hated the puppy..growled and gave her mean looks...but I kept them apart unless I was playing with them, and gave each attention and then attention together..it took a while, but now they LOVE each other..and play all the time. It is like my older dog is 5 years younger, it has really helped her, and they are not lonely when I am gone. Give it a few months, at least until the puppy calms down some and I bet they will learn to like each other.

Answer 6

You don't say how old she is. Sometimes a puppy is too much for an older dog. Some dogs just don't like puppies. Give her lots of love and support. Make sure you do things with each of the dogs separately, so they each get some quality time.

Give her lots of rest from the puppy, too, so she can relax without being afraid of getting pounced upon. And lots and lots of loving right now, especially when the puppy is around.

Keep trying, it is still early in their relationship. These things often take time. Be patient.

Answer 7

Make sure you introduce the dogs slowly at short periods of time. Make sure you give the older dog lots of attention letting her know that you are not replacing her. It will get better with time. The older dog with eventually warm up to the puppy.
7 months we got a new puppy and our older dog 9 years old went through the same thing. Now we cant seperate them and the older dog is very protective of the puppy when we go to the dog park!
Good luck!

Answer 8

The problem may not be the puppy, but you. Puppies take alot of time for training, and let's face it, everyone loves to play with the new toy. Your older dog is probably feeling ignored. Make sure you set aside time to spend with her alone, and don't let the puppy become the dominant dog. Your older dog may be acting sad now, but she could start destructive behaviors later. Remember, bad attention is better than no attention.

Answer 9

Make sure that you aren't showing extra attention to the new puppy. Give the older dog one on one time like before you got the new puppy. Dogs get jealous just like people but with time She will get use to the new dog but it may take awhile

Answer 10

spend a little more time on your old dog, she needs your love, support, caresses, etc... old dogs don't do much with puppies. they tend to ignore the puppy. have the same situation. i have 9 dogs here and 4 are puppies. old dogs don't do the activities that puppies do.. give it time, your old dog will or might get used to the pup. because old dogs just want to lie down and rest rather than play along with the pup. the old dog might think you're giving or gonna give less attention to him since the new dog is around and playful too coz he's still a puppy.. so, try to give her time to adjust to the puppy. if she doesn't give in to the puppy, just give your old dog your loving.. that's all that she wants.. no one can really tell since dogs can't talk.. so , just spend a little more time with her to show her that you still care for her and she is still a part of your life.. goodluck.