Old Dog v New Puppy

[givemeadvice]

Good day...or at least I hope one day it is!  

Got a new puppy (3-1/2 month old male Cockapoo).  Our 8-1/2 year old female Chocolate Lab isn't taking too kindly to the pup.  

Lacy (Chocolate Lab) has been socialized V-E-R-Y little with other dogs.  Lacy's ears flex back, she growls, shows her teeth and glares when the puppy (Bandit) approaches her.  I am worried Lacy will bite Bandit.  

I understand that everything takes time...but what is the best approach introducing these two animals to each other such that we can have peace of mind?  

All Bandit wants to do is play; Lacy doesn't interpret it that way and is very dominant.

I'm sure you've been asked this question a million times, but it's a first for us.

Please Help!!!!

[Jaybay]

Whooo hooooo!!!  Pam my dear, you just made my day!  But don't thank me: you did all the work and stuck to it, so all credit goes to you and your family.  That is brilliant!  You're all on the right track to a peaceful life.  Give yourselves a few high fives, and keep up the great discipline!  :-D

[givemeadvice]

First and foremost THANK YOU for your prompt and well-taken words of advice.

I am happy to say that things are going much better than the first week Lacy and Bandit spent together.

They're not playing with each other and I don't expect that will happen (Lacy just isn't in the playing mood anymore).

However, Lacy is accepting Bandit as part of our family.  In fact, Lacy goes so far as to "share" her dog food with Bandit.  When Lacy eat's, she just so happens to drop enough on the floor for Bandit to get a nibble.  They are sharing their toys with each other.  

Lacy still tries to set things straight when Bandit surprises Lacy.  Lacy doesn't show her teeth anymore, doesn't flex her ears back and doesn't follow Bandit with a glearing eye.  Lacy still occasionally growls, but nothing like she did before; it's much quieter, less frequent and not territorial.

We followed several of your suggestions and yes, they worked.  Patience, a watchful eye, repetition and reward are of utmost importance in introducing a non-socialized (to other dogs) older dog to a young, playful and energetic puppy.

Thank you!  Pam

[Jaybay]

The problem isn't that Lacy is a senior; the problem is that Lacy has never been properly socialized.  It's never too late to start that process.  While it may take longer to socialize an older dog, it can happen.  

So far it appears that Lacy is simply warning the puppy to keep her distance.  If that happens each and every time they're together, then yes, I'd be seriously worried.  If the behavior is escalating, I'd be seriously worried.  

Can you describe what happens when they're together?  Does Lacy pin the puppy to the floor?  Does she do so without using her teeth and claws but use only enough force to make her stay put?  That kind of behavior is actually normal for an older dog to a puppy who is too energetic.  You'll see moms do the same thing to an overly-rambunctious pup.  As the pup learns the rules, the behavior eventually stops.

How do you handle the incidents of growling?  You need to learn to recognize the signs of aggression BEFORE it escalates to growling (warning) to an all-out attack.  If you see Lacy's pupils dilate, her body get very stiff and still, and she gets a fixated stare at the puppy, it's time for you to intervene.  

You can set her up for that exercise by using a leash.  First, walk Lacy to get rid of some pent-up energy.  If you can walk both dogs at the same time (one on each side of you) that's even better.  Just don't allow them to interact at all while on the walk.  They can't look at each other; they can't cross over in front or behind you, etc.

Once they're exercised, have Lacy settle at your feet.  Have someone else bring you the puppy and hold her at a higher level than Lacy.  That makes the pup very powerful in Lacy's mind, and Lacy won't like it.  The minute you see Lacy tense up, give her a correction by popping the leash and tell her to settle again.  You'll have to be VERY patient and likely repeat this exercise any number of times before you can trust these two together.

Another possibility is that the pup is actually starting the problem behavior.  For example, if your pup is trying to mount Lacy, that pup is going to be put in her place - but good!  And she'll deserve it.  That's where you have to really notice what kind of force Lacy is using.  If it's just enough to get her point across without using teeth or carrying it out too far, that's a whole different ballgame.

Keep a simple spray bottle or squirt gun handy that has either plain water or water with about 30% white vinegar.  The instant Lacy or the pup engage in unacceptable behavior, they get a squirt in the face.  You can't be one second late or they won't learn that the water is a consequence of bad behavior.  You can say, "no!" one time at the moment you use the squirt gun, but that's it.  Don't confuse the point with a lot of excess chatter.

Another "don't" is giving affection at the wrong time.  If you always see your puppy as the victim (which may or may not be the case) and give affection and comfort when big, bad Lacy picks on her, you ultimately reward that behavior.  

Walking your dogs together as a pack is probably the most effective tool at your disposal toward socializing them both.  I've had tremendous results introducing dogs for the first time using a walk.  Again, that doesn't mean they run around on a 25 foot flex leash.  YOU have to set the rules and know how to properly correct unwanted behavior.  If they are allowed to walk ahead you, they won't respect you as their leader.  It's that simple.  :-)

Honestly, I think all of you would benefit from the services of a trainer or better yet, a behaviorist.  Training is about a whole lot more than sit, stay, and heel.  A good trainer actually trains the owner in how to communicate with her dog(s).  Once you understand dog "language" anything is possible.  :-)