While many dogs will welcome a new puppy with open paws, many more will growl, snap and try to get away from the puppy from the onset. However, it is VERY rare for an adult dog to hurt a puppy.
Your dog may act like they hate puppies, but that's not necessarily what's going on. There are a number of reasons an older dog might not want to deal with a puppy, from their inability to read social and physical cues to the relentless invasion of your adult dog's personal space.
It's normal for your older dog to feel a bit violated when you bring a new dog into the house, and sometimes puppies, with their lack of manners, can be a bit inconsiderate to their seniors. That being said, it's possible to find peace between your two dogs, especially if you start by introducing them correctly.
Older dogs with poor socialization might require positive reinforcement to gradually learn to accept the puppy. Feeling cornered, jealous, or a build-up of annoying acts are also common causes why older dogs attack new puppies. You could call that a lack of patience with puppies.
Don't suppress the older dog's growl
A growl, and air snap to tell the puppy that he's crossed boundaries are normal. If, however, your older dog truly seems aggressive to the puppy, get professional help. Don't let them be together until any issues have been resolved.
Now, some families have serious problems with aggression between the older dog and the puppy. If your dog is biting the puppy, causing injury, or acting inappropriately aggressive toward the puppy, you should seek professional help from a positive reinforcement behavior professional.
It can take up to one month for an old dog and new dog to really settle in and accept each other's position in the pack. If you want a second dog, you need to be ready to commit to this process and not panic.
Bringing home a new puppy or another adult dog can trigger jealousy in your dog, and they may show signs of aggression toward the new addition. Your dog might growl at the new dog, guard your lap, or try to get in between you and your new furry family member.
In dogdom, there's a turn of phrase called, "Second Dog Syndrome". This describes the process of adding another dog to the home quite well, but not necessarily in a positive light. As humans, we are bound to forget all of the time and effort it takes to raise a puppy right.
Interactions with other puppies or adult dogs – this is usually due to fear and based on previous learning. The aggression is a defence mechanism to keep themselves safe. Growling, snapping, raised hackles are behaviours to communicate that the other dogs should move away.
When first leaving your pups alone together, make sure the area they'll be hanging out in is safe and encourages good behavior. Provide lots of beds or rest areas. Make sure there is a variety of places your dogs can choose to lay down and rest if they need a break from the other dog.
Whether you rescue an older dog or a puppy, a lot of dogs tend to follow the 3-3-3 rule when getting acclimated: 3 days of feeling overwhelmed and nervous. 3 weeks of settling in. 3 months of building trust and bonding with you.
A confident dog wanting you to move away will often deliver a low-pitched warning growl. His body will stiffen and the loose circular wag may become a stiff side-to-side motion. 2. A scared dog who really doesn't want to defend himself may make a high-pitched growl-bark to get you to move away from him.
Many older dogs will be upset, jealous, or even angry with a new puppy, especially if the older dog has been an only dog. It's going to be important to make sure the older dog gets lots (more than normal) of attention to alleviate potential hurt feelings.
Owners report destructive chewing when the dog is anywhere between six and ten months of age. Different breeds and sizes of dogs hit this stage of development at different times. Severity of damage depends on the individual dog's level of pain tolerance.
The short answer is no, your dog probably doesn't hate puppies. There are a few other reasons why an adult or senior dog doesn't want to deal with puppies or enjoy being around them. For starters, puppies don't yet have social etiquette and can't yet read social or physical cues.
You should keep your puppy from meeting dogs you don't know until they've received all of their vaccinations and your vet gives you the go-ahead. This means that walking them in public will have to wait.
Their young bodies and brains are still developing, and leaving them alone for too long can lead to behavioral issues and conditions like separation anxiety. No dog should be left alone for a full 8-hour workday.
Different dog breeds have different energy levels and rates of growth; the growth plates in their joints close at different ages. But do schedule play and exercise time into your puppy's day: a walk around the neighborhood, playing with toys, and time spent bonding go a long way toward expending energy.
Puppies will quickly learn what the boundaries are and when aggression isn't something to be used. Older dogs will also bite at a puppy's neck just to gently show them who is boss in the home. Play fighting and neck biting helps dogs (and younger puppies in particular) learn how to socialize with each other.
Certain breeds seem more prone to suffer from rage syndrome, including Cocker and Springer Spaniels (hence the once-common terms – Spaniel rage, Cocker rage, and Springer rage), Bernese Mountain Dogs, St. Bernards, Doberman Pinschers, German Shepherds, and Lhasa Apsos.