New puppy/older dog HELP!! (pics added)

[N&B'smom]

So, we have a 13 year old dog who is SUPER sweet and loving. He has always been a wonderful dog. We decided to get a puppy who is the same breed, he is ADORABLE, timid and basically frightened of the new environment. He had been living in Rhode Island with his 3 brothers and his mom and dad. Now he's in NJ (just brought him home today) living with myself, hubby, two kids and the older dog.

If I put him down on the ground or floor he will just stand in that spot and eventually sit down. He is SUPER scared. We can pet him, pick him up, whatever...he is content with that and seems to enjoy it.

We introduced him to our older dog who seemed THRILLED to meet the new little guy. He started to come over to sniff him when the little guy GROWLED! Maybe I am worrying and I shouldn't, maybe it's totally normal since he's freaked out and all...but I've never done this before so I have NO idea.

What is the best way to go about this!?!?!? He's only been in our home for a few hours. I just want to make the transition for both dogs as easy as possible...so, any tips!?!

 

[sunnyday123]

I think he just needs time to get adjusted to his new home.

I assume he was around other puppys before he came to your home, so it just might be a little intimidating to him to have a big dog looming over him, in a new house with new smells. I wouldn't just expect them to be all warm and lovey right away, and definitely keep an eye on them until everyone gets straightened out.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Rule #1 - don't coddle puppy when he's acting scared or you risk reinforcing his feelings that there's something to be scared about. Just go about your business and act like nothing's wrong, even if you are concerned (naturally). His growling is probably just that he's afraid. Again, act like nothing's wrong, don't scold him for it. Just redirect his behavior by throwing a ball or toy, etc. Make sure he gets lots of play and exercise to tucker him out. The older dog and pup walking together outside will be a good thing. Once pup becomes comfortable with his new surroundings - and a little more sure of himself - be sure he doesn't nag/nip the older dog. Older dog has the right to have a peaceful place to lay - pup gets put in crate. Your goal right now is to develop a method of communication between you and the pup that you both understand. Good luck!

 

[N&B'smom]

Thanks! I feel so worried about this but know it will work out.

I'd love to take them for a walk once he figures out the whole leash/collar thing. It would be more like a 'drag' if I did it now. He's a riot! Plus, right now he is barely even walking. My hubby left the room but managed to peek at him, he finally started to come out of his crate because he knew no one was around. He's such a NUT!

 

[simba928]

Rule #1 - don't coddle puppy when he's acting scared or you risk reinforcing his feelings that there's something to be scared about.

Definitely don't baby him. Attention is a reward and rewarding behaviors causes repetition of the behaviors. Therefore, by picking him up and holding/cuddling him when he is growling, you are reinforcing the growling and teaching him that that is how he is supposed to act.

He also needs time to adjust. Imagine traveling to a new country where you don't know the people, the rules, the language, the sights, the sounds, the smells. EVERYTHING is foreign to you and you have no idea what to think of anything. That's what it is like for puppy right now. He just needs some time to adjust to his new life. Treat him the same way that you plan on treating him a year from now, 5 years from now, etc. As tempting as it is to spoil him rotten and make your whole life about him while he's new, don't do it! He needs to know that "as soon as I get out, I go outside and go potty and then come in for breakfast, and then hang out with the kids for a bit, and then..." Make it less confusing for him by setting the rules and routines now.

 

[KathyTX]

You know you can't tease us with puppy talk without posting pictures!

 

[JessicaR]

They need time to adjust. What is the breed? Congrats on the new puppy!

 

[luvsmickeymouse]

Pictures please!

 

[N&B'smom]

Here you go...

 

[luvsmickeymouse]

Here you go...

Oh, how sweet! I love dogs!

 

[N&B'smom]

Thanks, he is a sweetie. He's a LITTLE less scared today but wait until he sees my older dog again....I'm sure the fear will come back.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

My suggestion is to take them out on neutral ground. I know you said the pup will not walk yet but you have to really work on that quick. He looks big enough to walk.

You need to get them out walking together. The more you force them together in neutral territory the more that the pup will follow your lead.

Basically in a nutshell the puppy does not trust you. You need to gain his trust and work him out at the same time. Walking will help with the anxiety.

Walking is also great stress reliever for both dogs, plus it establishes trust and obedience with you as a leader and tells puppy you are not going to tolerate bratty behavior.

Cute pup! Time, patience, and obedience will get you there.

Oh and get the 6ft leather leashes. They are the gold standard in training and are non slip. DO NOT use flexi's for walking and training.

 

[goofy!]

Thanks! I feel so worried about this but know it will work out.

I'd love to take them for a walk once he figures out the whole leash/collar thing. It would be more like a 'drag' if I did it now. He's a riot! Plus, right now he is barely even walking. My hubby left the room but managed to peek at him, he finally started to come out of his crate because he knew no one was around. He's such a NUT!

When we got our second Komondor, we brought her home from Houston (to Denver). She was 14 weeks old and super scared, especially of our other dog. She came from a household of 7 or 8 Koms, but that didn't matter, she was terrified of our one dog and very unsure of her surroundings. Much like your puppy, she just stood there trembling.

Fast forward a year and the two of them had established that she was the alpha and was bossing the older dog around constantly. She epitomizes the name used for the female dog.

As others have suggested, just treat her like life is normal and don't reinforce any behaviors you don't want to see as an adult dog.

 

[N&B'smom]

Thank you for the advice. I just want them to get along. The older dog is SO agreeable, he doesn't care.

It's true....he still doesn't fully trust even ME yet. He is doing better though. It's baby steps. He's lying at my feet nibbling on my toes right now.

When my children get up we will ATTEMPT to go for a walk. Keep you posted and thanks again!!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Thank you for the advice. I just want them to get along. The older dog is SO agreeable, he doesn't care.

It's true....he still doesn't fully trust even ME yet. He is doing better though. It's baby steps. He's lying at my feet nibbling on my toes right now.

When my children get up we will ATTEMPT to go for a walk. Keep you posted and thanks again!!

If you take them out you MUST follow through. Puppy cannot allowed to control the situation. Very important here.

Take them both out, use patience and get them walking.

Do NOT back down, even if it is only up the street and back. It is really about getting him to walk to begin with and socializing the first time out rather than exercise.

When we had our pups we walked them 5 times a day. It really helped with training.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I agree. Make it fun! You'll all look a little silly but have "so much fun" that the pup will want to follow you, even if she doesn't like the leash - she might even forget she has it on. But again, don't coddle her. Just go about walking and having fun and she'll want to follow. Be clever. Make it rather short at first, and increase walking time gradually. And Amen to the leather leashes.

When my current dog was a pup, our kids were young and my senior dog was on wheels. The pup had a lot of sensitivity issues - hated a leash, hated a crate, major separation anxiety, etc. Walking with her was challenging, too. But we stuck it out and gradually she learned to love to walk.

If you get a chance, pick up a book called Good Owners, Great Dogs by Brian Kilcommons and Sara Wilson. It's great information and answers a lot of questions to common problems. They also have a book called My Smart Puppy (this one has a DVD also).

 

[N&B'smom]

Thank you all for the advice. We took the little guy out for a walk this morning and he did pretty well. He followed our lead MOST of the time. A couple of times I got that little obstinate 'I'm not going to budge' face. But....I won that battle.

We will take the dogs out tomorrow. Tonight didn't go well...they got near each other, sniffed noses and the puppy went full force for our dog's neck/throat area. My hubby was right there so he grabbed the little guy and he calmed down but it was pretty scary. I'm so sad that happened and PRAYING as he begins to trust us, he will adapt to our older dog as well. Say a prayer it gets better!!