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.

hi there,

i have recently bought a 7wk old puppy and at 1st my 5yr old westie seemed very wary of him, the pup is very very playful and was jumping all over george so george would literally back up and go behind the sofa. well that was 3 days ago and george will now stay in the same room as the pup lennie and have started to play with each other, this is because we decided to just leave them to it and not intervene if george started growling and the pup after a few scary moments they are now a hell of a lot better. to be honest i was thinking the same thing that the pup would have to go but please perservere and leave them sort it out, dont force the situation try sitting with the pup on your lap on the floor and allow your older dog to come over and sniff it. your dog is trying to get to the highest part of the room to show he is top dog....it's all about pecking order they will have a few scrapes along the way but they will get there in the end.


good luck