How to Train a Puppy to Respect an Older Dog

Hello Gabby, First, I highly suggest crate training the puppy. Almost all puppies will cry the first two weeks of crate training - it is new to them and they have to be given the opportunity to learn to self-sooth and self-entertain to prepare them for environments they will have to be in later and prevent dangerous destructive chewing habits that happen without confinement. Use the Surprise method from the article linked below to gradually help pup learn to be calm in the crate and to relax by using rewards for being Quiet if pup isn't already used to the crate. https://wagwalking.com/training/like-a-crate Crate pup at night and when you leave, and you can use an exercise pen with some toys in it also. When you cannot directly supervise the dogs together, puppy should be crated or in the pen. When you are supervising, teach both dogs the Out command (which means leave the area) and make whoever is causing issues leave the area as needed (which will be mostly puppy at this age). Out command: https://www.petful.com/behaviors/how-to-teach-a-dog-the-out-command/ I also recommend teaching Leave It. Leave It method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bite Decide what your house rules are for both dogs and you be the one to enforce the rules instead of the dogs. No aggression, no pushiness, no stealing toys, no stealing food, no being possessive of people or things, or any other unwanted behavior - if one dog is causing a problem you be the one to enforce the rules so that the dogs are NOT working it out themselves. For example, if pup comes over to your older dog when they are trying to sleep, tell pup Out. If puppy obeys, praise and reward them. If puppy disobeys, stand in front of your older dog, blocking the pup from getting to them, and walk toward pup calmly but firmly until pup leaves the area and stops trying to go back to your older dog. If your older dog growls at your pup, make your older dog leave the room while also disciplining pup by having them leave the area too if needed. Be vigilant and take the pressure off of your older dog - you want puppy to learn respect for your older dog because you have taught it to pup and not because your older dog has had to resort to aggression or has to hide all the time. If you want pup to be free but don't want to chase after them while you are home, you can also clip them to yourself using a six-foot leash, so that pup has to stay near you and not wander near your other dog. Whenever puppy enters the room, give your older dog a treat while pup is not looking. Whenever they are calm, relaxed or tolerant of puppy also give them a treat. Try not to let the puppy see you rewarding them though so that they don’t run over and overwhelm your older dog. Right now your older dog probably feels overwhelmed by the puppy and because of pup's age it’s harder for them to handle pup and keep up with their energy. They need to feel like you are the one managing the puppy, protecting them from pup pestering them, and making pup's appearance pleasant for them. If you can take the pressure off of their relationship and help their interactions to be calmer, then they may adjust to pup's presence as pup grows, especially when they calms down when older. Don’t expect them to be best friends. The goal right now is calm, peaceful coexistence. Enrolling pup in a puppy play group, class with play time, or moderated puppy play time with other friends' puppies, can also help pup learn how to control the pressure of their bite and give breaks when another dog indicates they need one. The Out command and Leave It command is also useful when pup bites you. Check out the sections on how to teach Out, How to use out to deal with pushiness, and How to use Out to Help Dogs Get Alone sections especially. Expect all of this to take a couple of months of consistent training and pup maturing to see drastic improvement. Use things like the exercise pen, crate, and hands free leash to help the dogs get along while pup is in the process of learning until then. Those things can also help pup learn how to stick to chewing their own toys, potty train, handle being alone, and learn the house rules. A free PDF E-book AFTER You Get Your Puppy can also be downloaded at the link below if you have any general puppy questions. Since you have an older dog you have likely done the puppy period before though; this might just be a new dynamic with a puppy and older dog together. www.lifedogtraining.com/freedownloads Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello Ava, First, I highly suggest crate training the puppy if you haven't already. Almost all puppies will cry the first two weeks of crate training - it is new to them and they have to be given the opportunity to learn to self-sooth and self-entertain to prepare them for environments they will have to be in later and prevent dangerous destructive chewing habits that happen without confinement. Use the Surprise method from the article linked below to gradually help pup learn to be calm in the crate and to relax by using rewards for being Quiet if pup isn't already used to the crate. https://wagwalking.com/training/like-a-crate Crate pup at night and when you leave, and you can use an exercise pen with some toys in it also. When you cannot directly supervise the dogs together, puppy should be crated or in the pen or tethered to you with a hands free leash. When you are supervising, teach both dogs the Out command (which means leave the area) and make whoever is causing issues leave the area as needed (which will be mostly puppy at this age). Out command: https://www.petful.com/behaviors/how-to-teach-a-dog-the-out-command/ I also recommend teaching Leave It, especially to the puppy. Leave It method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bite Decide what your house rules are for both dogs and you be the one to enforce the rules instead of the dogs. No aggression, no pushiness, no stealing toys, no stealing food, no being possessive of people or things, or any other unwanted behavior - if one dog is causing a problem you be the one to enforce the rules so that the dogs are NOT working it out themselves. For example, if pup comes over to your older dog when they are trying to sleep, tell pup Out. If puppy obeys, praise and reward them. If puppy disobeys, stand in front of your older dog, blocking the pup from getting to them, and walk toward pup calmly but firmly until pup leaves the area and stops trying to go back to your older dog. If your older dog growls at your pup, make your older dog leave the room while also disciplining pup in a similar way by having them leave the area too if they were pestering first. Be vigilant and take the pressure off of your older dog - you want puppy to learn respect for your older dog because you have taught it to pup and not because your older dog has had to resort to aggression or has to hide all the time. You can make most six foot leashes hands free by adding a small carabiner and clipping the handle to your belt loop, or around your waist with a longer leash. Whenever puppy enters the room, give your older dog a treat while pup is not looking. Whenever they are calm, relaxed or tolerant of puppy also give them a treat. Try not to let the puppy see you rewarding them though so that they don’t run over and overwhelm your older dog. Right now your older dog probably feels overwhelmed by the puppy and because of pup's age it’s harder for them to handle pup and keep up with their energy. They need to feel like you are the one managing the puppy, protecting them from pup pestering them, and making pup's appearance pleasant for them. If you can take the pressure off of their relationship and help their interactions to be calmer, then they may adjust to pup's presence as pup grows, especially when they calms down when older. Don’t expect them to be best friends. The goal right now is calm, peaceful coexistence. Enrolling pup in a puppy play group, class with play time, or moderated puppy play time with other friends' puppies, can also help pup learn how to control the pressure of their bite and give breaks when another dog indicates they need one. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello Jennifer, What you are describing sounds pretty normal, but I would also back up your older dog and teach pup when to give space. I would enroll pup in a puppy kindergarten with time for moderated off-leash play or a play group. Playing with other puppies is usually the best way for a dog to learn doggie social skills like adjusting play style and giving breaks and how to control the pressure of their mouth. Puppies tend to play differently than adult dogs. I recommend teaching pup the Leave It method, the Out command, the Place command, and crate training pup is you haven't already. When pup is getting too rough, your older dog wants to be left alone, or everyone simply needs a break, use those commands to facilitate those behaviors. After teaching Out, pay attention also to the sections on how to use out to deal with pushy behavior and how to use out to help dogs get along. Out - which means leave the area: https://www.petful.com/behaviors/how-to-teach-a-dog-the-out-command/ Leave It method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bite Place command: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O75dyWITP1s Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello Pamela, I would hire a professional private trainer to work with you in person for this situation. I would work on desensitizing Dusty to wearing a basket muzzle and keep the dogs separate when you can't supervise, and drag leash and the basket muzzle on Dusty when everyone is together. I would work on building Dusty's respect for you through obedience commands and structure; things like working up to a one hour place command, heeling at your side during walks, being made to leave the area or get off the couch if pup gets pushy or rude, and practicing things like a distance down or sit stay while you play with or pet your other dog, then having the dogs switch who is staying and who is getting attention, so you are making the rules. Because pup drew blood, it's time to hire professional help from a trainer who specializes in behavior issues like aggression though, and take safety measures like a basket muzzle - taking the muzzle off to feed meals in the crate and for sleep in the crate, and make sure pup learns how to drink water with the muzzle on throughout the day alright. Muzzle desensitizing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJTucFnmAbw Gentle respect building: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-doberman-to-listen-to-you Out - which means leave the area: https://www.petful.com/behaviors/how-to-teach-a-dog-the-out-command/ Leave It method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bite Quiet method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bark Place command: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O75dyWITP1s Down-Stay: https://www.thelabradorsite.com/train-your-labrador-to-lie-down-and-stay/ Heel- Turns method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-poodle-to-heel Come - Reel in method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-whippet-to-recall Off- section on The Off command: https://www.petful.com/behaviors/how-train-dog-stay-off-couch/ Drop It – Exchange method: https://wagwalking.com/training/drop-it Watch Me: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zeZrOPzO-c Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello Elizabeth, Keep up the good work! I hope you find the tips very helpful and things improve quickly for you. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden