Terrorising older dog!!

[Mel B]

I am hoping for some advice!

I have a six year old cocker spaniel and also a 5 month old pup.  From the outset the pup has not left the older dog alone.  He tolerates to pup really well but she is relentless and really bites him, hangs off his ears, weaves between his legs etc.  He really growls and tells her off but she just seems to get more hyped up and goes back for more.  I have already found one small injury on older dogs rear end and worry that he could get hurt further or that he may really turn on the pup and hurt her.  It's very stressful and at the moment and put her away for time out when she is getting too much - which unfortunately is practically all of the time they are out together.  She is usually good for a short time after she has woken up and I reward her and older dog when they are sat together etc but not bothering each other.  She really does hurt us aswell and draws blood when biting - much harder than our older spaniel ever did.  Just spoken to my Mum who is looking after them and she seems at the end of her tether - had them out together but again just really bugging him/biting him and she sunk her teeth into my Mum when she separated them.  Also she will bark at the older dog when she is put in her crate - just when he walks past!

Any advice would be gratefully received as it's the most stressful part of this process for us. 

[JohnK]

Mel

We have the sae with our 2. Minnie is 2 1/2 and Dennis 6 months. When we first got him he used to sink his "needles" into her and she did get a couple of injuries, but nothing serious. Even today, he still doesn't know when she has had enough, but he is getting better and they do love each other. On the odd time she has had enough, she lets him know and he does back off. Its just a stage they are going through and believe me, they will get over it.

[lettie10]

Oh thank god... same here too, Jazz 15mnths does not know what has hit her since Bailey arrived in August.

Shame is Bailey seems to really love Jazz and always (when not play fighting) wants to cuddle up next to her but Jazz has only allowed this a couple of times, mostly she will just move if Bailey tries to lie where she is.

A lot of the time the fighting is playful and Jazz will often instigate it too so can't just blame Bailey but she is relentless and even when Jazz has "told her off" she still comes back for more.

I keep my eye on them and while tails are wagging I am quite sure it is playful but Bailey is also very vocal so it sometimes sounds like a full on pit bull fighting ring

Jazz has yelped a couple of times when the ear biting has been a bit too hard but to her credit has not retaliated and Bailey has been given time out in these instances.

Jazz has however over the last couple of weeks become what I would say is less tolerant and will give a low warning growl to Bailey before she can try to lie with her.

The rest of the time they are fab together, on walks Jazz loves to be chased and Bailey is happy to oblige, Jazz's recall is much better since Bailey has been around and they will happily drink from the same bowl at the same time and share all their chews, toys etc with no problems.  Feeding time is great they just have to lick each others bowls when they have finished

Bailey is always crated when I have to go out and at night so they are never alone together but I am hopeful one day as she gets older I will be able to leave them together with confidence.

[Mel B]

Thanks for your replies - glad I'm not alone!

Henry is six and hasn't really ever been a dog that wants to play - he has been trained as a gundog from been very young and just wants to go about his business without being bothered.  He does wag his tail at Florence and will let her jump at him etc without too much of an issue but she really goes at him with mouth/teeth out so he gets really agitated, growls at her, mouths her to tell her off but she still goes back for more and doesn't back off.  If he is drinking she goes over to the same bowl and he backs off, he lets her steal things off him aswell so he is being very good with her - she looks as if she may be the more dominent one eventually.  It's just so hectic when they are both loose in the house as she is constantly trying to pounce on him and isn't interested in anything else when he's around.  I walk/train them separately most of the time unless my OH comes along.  I spoke to the trainer at my puppy foundation class and she has suggested I keep her on a long line in the house so that I can pull her away when she is getting too much for him.  She also said that really the biting should have stopped by now but by the looks of this forum there appears to be other pups that are still biting at the 5 month mark so I won't worry just yet!  On a positive note she has been fine with the fireworks   

[JeffD]

Poor Henry,

One day he may well say enough and sort her as only another dog can, My daughter has a JR that soon puts Teal in her place, not that she takes much notice.

[Amus1]

Thanks for your replies - glad I'm not alone!

Henry is six and hasn't really ever been a dog that wants to play - he has been trained as a gundog from been very young and just wants to go about his business without being bothered.  He does wag his tail at Florence and will let her jump at him etc without too much of an issue but she really goes at him with mouth/teeth out so he gets really agitated, growls at her, mouths her to tell her off but she still goes back for more and doesn't back off.  If he is drinking she goes over to the same bowl and he backs off, he lets her steal things off him aswell so he is being very good with her - she looks as if she may be the more dominent one eventually.

Dont know if this will help or not but might make you feel a little better....

My little monster Flynn is 22 weeks and my big monster Spike is 9yrs!
We have been through the same sort of experience with mine. Flynn wants to play with him and does the same as your Florence and up to a few weeks ago spike would react in the same way - backing away from the water bowl and dropping the toys letting him take them. And I too thought Flynn would be the more dominant one....but..... Spike has just begun to fight his own corner so to speak - not letting him pinch his toys and now plays tug of war with him now.  So he's getting on better now. He still growls at him all the time but that is all. He actually initiates play or play fighting with Flynn now.
So it has got better in our house! I can really appreciate the situation though! It wasn't easy introducing Flynn to my 9 year old spike but he seems to be coping ok. I keep them apart at night. Spike sleeps in my room on my bed or his bed on my bedroom floor and Flynn has a crate in the utility room. So I suppose that helps. If Flynn gets too much he has a timeout in 'his room' behind the baby gate so he can still see everyone etc.
I'm sure your two will be fine soon though.
Just takes time I suppose.
Good luck!

[bracken]

I have a 5 month old cocker plus 5 others from aged 2 to 8 my puppy has never hurt the others she will play rough at times but this is always under supervision ...I will not except her hurting them ..they do have plenty of time away from each other during the day and sleep separately at night (puppy in her crate

Many say leave them to it but I won't put up with it as I can't stand the thought of one of mine being bullied by another puppy or not.

The puppy plays very happily with all the others but she now knows when to stop and not to push the boundies with the others .