We have a 2 yr old Cavalier KCS bitch called Lily. She's always been very submissive & we've never managed to socialise her properly with other dogs.

We now have an 8 week old Cav dog puppy - Danny. Typical pup, boisterous & fun.

Lily won't go anywhere near him. It took two days before she'd even stay in the same room. She spends her entire time sitting on the windowsill or on the highest chair she can reach.

I'm trying to follow what advice I can find: spending time with Lily, making sure she's still part of the pack, feeding her first, giving her some private space etc.

But I don't want to force them together, and the situation doesn't seem to be improving. Lily just runs and hides every time Danny comes near.

Any advice gratefully received.

oh dear, not sure what to suggest really, it may take time, Indi my older dog took a month to accept Phoenix, as you say just don't force it. sorry not much help am i

I would stop that behaviour asap or it will just continue and she will never get used to the new dog. They need to be left to it to some degree but you can't allow her to just run away and hide all the time as you will get nowhere.

I agree with Alan - you don't want Lily to start any behaviour patterns that you will end up having to break her out of. It might just be that she needs time to adjust to the new puppy - Calli spent seven weeks peering suspiciously at Evie's puppies from round a corner, and running away in fright every time one came near her - and now she and Quinn are inseperable.