Hello everyone,

I am a newbie to this forum and would like to say a big hello to you all

Sorry if it is a bit long winded but here we go.

A bit about me and the family.......

We have 2 kids, 2 dogs(female) and a boy puppy( 9 weeks old).

Looking for a little advise with the situation.

Cassie the oldest dog (5 YRS 9 MTHS) is infatuated by the pup......she will tell him of if needed. However, she is a bit protective of him and is very aware of his every move.

Daisy the now middle dog is 2 yrs and 6 months. She is very uninterested in the puppy and would like to ignore him. She will give him a wild berth and stays away. When he first arrived she would give a small warning to tell him to get lost. If he runs too near she gets a bit worried and will run away in a bit of a panic...............this is where any issues started.

We never leave the 3 alone and have been introducing them gradually...still very early days puppy has been here just 2 days.

Cassie being protective she was not impressed with Daisy yesterday when she tried to escape the puppy. Although to be fair daisy never showed any aggressive behaviour to pup nor did she snap at him just tried to get away. Cassie attacked Daisy and I had to part them with a mop. They were fine with each after afterwards. Cassie and Daisy were both wary of each other rest of the day and a few small incidents occured which were more easy stopped as I then knew what I could expect.

Puppy (Dexter) is in a cage in another room at night ............he woke at 3.30am .............I took him out into garden he did a wee n went in. Cassie was already inside and Daisy was still outside. Daisy loves being outside and can be stubborn........ a treat is often required to bribe her inside. I called Daisy in and she immediately started on Cassie for no reason................other than maybe leader of the pack issues!

Had to call hubby from bed and he seperated them, although Daisy didn't want to call it a day. This time cassie did not fight back and has been a bit more wary.

Today Daisy isn't overly interested in the puppy, she would rather play ball, she not barking or growling at the puppy. However, as soon as Daisy and the pup get close and try to befriend each other Cassie will run from other end of garden and attack Daisy.

My problem, well 1 of them, is how to get Daisy to socialise with the puppy without Cassie interfering. Daisy shows no interest if the puppy near Cassie but Cassie is always watching what's happening with Daisy and puppy.

I have condsidered putting Cassie into kennels for few days .............but will still have to bring them all back together after few days. But it may give Daisy a chance to interact with Dexter under supervision at her own pace. It won't help if Cassie is jealous of the puppy and Daisy being friends tho.

Possibly putting the puppy in a cage whilst we supervise with the 2 other dogs able to stiff and see him without being pounced on by him.......as he wants to play! This would not stop Cassie attacking Daisy and vise versa.

Last result...............should I consider a muzzle for the 2 older dogs for short periods of time when they all together. But doubt they will be too happy with that. Also, muzzles take time to get used to so won't make them very happy doggies!

I don't want to make the situation worse by rushing things or my making the dogs feel they being punished due to a new arrival.

Any thoughts and help greatly appreciated as need to resolve this the best possible way.

Jill

x

Just want to say that I'm sure someone will be along with good advice soon. Not a situation I have ever dealt with so can't offer any help I'm afraid, other than to say it is very early days and with the right advice I'm sure you will solve this.

Hi Lucylastic

Thankyou

It wasn't a reaction from the dogs we were expecting as they get along with each other fine normally! Expected them to be a bit unsure of the puppy but not to fall out with each other!

Are either of your bitches spayed at all?

No neither bitches are spayed.

We intend to spay the eldest but not the youngest bitch.

That may very well be part of your problem then. Hormones play a huge part in driving and shaping a dogs behaviours.

Im sure you've heard the saying "dogs fight for breeding rights, bitches fight for breathing rights".

Unless for showing or breeding purposes, id personally get both bitches spayed, otherwise i fear their fighting will only get worse. Plus you will rule out the chance of accidental matings when your pup becomes sexually mature.

Ok thanks for the advice& your time to reply.

We do intend to breed the younger bitch.........subject to good hip, elbow and eye scores.

They both normally have a great temperament.

Will just getting the eldest dog spayed help the battle of the bitches??

They have just both just fallen out in the garden and Dexter was no where near to be seen as he was in lounge and the bitches were outside in the garden.

Seems to be the eldest bitch causing the problem but the younger one isn't backing down.

If you're intending to get her spayed anyway, i'd do it ASAP, especially considering the increased risks associated with a GA as a dog gets older. If it will make a difference at all, only time will tell.

Are either of them due into season at all?

Daisy certainly had her season in April, they are normally in season at the same time but is sometimes hard to tell if they both in season at the same time or not as they are very clean.

Until we can book the eldest in to be spayed would a muzzle help or just increase tension between them??

Whilst my husband is at home the fighting isn't nice but he can seperate them much easier than I can, but he can't always be here obviously!

They both seem sorry afterwards and sit and lick each other.......just can't be trusted at the momment together.

Is it best to avoid the 3 of them interacting with each other for the time being?