How to Train a Puppy to Respect an Older Dog

Hello, Walking with another dog is a huge distraction for heel training, so this is commonly seen. The best thing to do is to work up to that level of distraction by having a second person walk with you. Have one person walk the older dog, then practice the heel training you have done with puppy. An empty, low-traffic cul-de-sac is a good place to do this so that you can have lots of space to practice, an empty parking lot or low cut field are other good options. Check out the Turns method from the article I have linked below. https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-poodle-to-heel Practice heeling near the other dog to teach pup to focus on you and not them. When they can do that, then check out the Walking Together method from the article I have linked below. https://wagwalking.com/training/greet-other-dogs If you don't have a second person to help, I would join an obedience class where classmates will be practicing heel along with you in class, to get her used to heeling with other dogs present. If she has already mastered basic obedience, then look for an intermediate class - which is specifically geared toward practicing around distractions in harder environments. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Nov. 30, 2023

First, if you haven't already, 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/ Second, 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. A large need here is something that puppies learn from other puppy through playing with other puppies; play helps puppies learn how to moderate their interactions and learn to respect boundaries. Enrolling pup in a puppy play group, class with play time, or moderated puppy play time with other friends' puppies, in addition to fostering communication at home, can 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

Nov. 17, 2023