Jealous dog

[Alf]

Help! My sister has just got an adorable puppy from the shelter. My problem is that my 10 year old collie cross has always had major jealousy issues. She has only ever had close contact with one other dog, my sister's previous dog, who put up with her taking toys of her, protecting the water dish etc. How am I to get her to understand that my sister's house and contents belong to the puppy and not her and that she needs to share toys, food etc? I can't let this continue as I don't want her to hurt the puppy but they need introduced. What should I do? Any advise please.

[leelapops]

Hey Alf, what a dilemma for you!

I am not sure what to suggest-might it be a good idea to let them meet on neutral ground a few times for your dog to see that the pup isn't any kind of threat?

My Collie is food-possessive, and when he has his friends over (!) I take his food bowl up and any rawhide chews that migth be lying around, avoiding the problem rather than dealing with it I suppose :S

Do you live with your sister? Or just visit her a lot?

[Alf]

Leelapops - I don't live with my sister but we would visit each other a lot so it will be an issue in both houses (moreso mine cos everything there, my dog Chelsea considers hers). She is not food oriented but I know she will eat any food around just so the puppy won't get it! I like the idea of meeting on neutral ground, although I'm pretty sure she will try to chase the pup off as she will see it as a threat to my sister (and me).
I would love for them to get along and really don't know how to tackle this without the pup getting snapped at.

Gravitate - cage a puppy?!!

[B00]

Alf, whatever you do don't listen to graviate regarding pets, or indeed on any subject on this forum- he's what we like to term "special".

[whiffey]

Half-witted covers it too.

[daffidazey]

The only thing that needs putting in a cage is gravitate!

[perigra]

i think the pup and older dog should be tought to respect each others territory.

if the pup comes into the older dogs home, let nature take it's course. let the older dog or you have a go at the pup if it goes near food etc but be there incase it gets out of hand.

when the older dog goes into the pups home, your sister should take controll and chastise your dog if it goes near food or goes for the pup.

[leelapops]

perigra's idea is good-mutual respect :) Boo is absolutely right re. gravit*t's level of well, awareness, and daffi has just made me snort water through my nose with that comment!

I hope you get it sorted Alf, it would be a shame for them to start off on the wrong foot. I am sure even more advice will be posted; there are some very knowledgeable people here on AB...and then there's gravitate.

Does your dog feel safer off the lead Alf? I only ask because mine does-he is a flight not fight kind of dog, and new introductions work best when he can walk away if necessary. Is there somewhere safe and enclosed you could let her off to meet the pup? Or do you think she would just go all-out?

I understand how much you want them to get on; paws crossed for you all.

[lankeela]

First of all take them for a walk together on leads to gauge how the older dog reacts to the pup. At home if possible
ensure that one of the dogs is confined in a puppy pen (ok, its a another name for a cage, but some do gooders out there don't like to think of a dog put in a cage) while the other has the free run of the place . Make sure there is NO food left lying around and put toys away. Please don't let them 'sort it out' themselves as the pup could be seriously injured or frightened.

Only if the older dog shows no aggression to the pup should you let them mix freely together. Don't let the pup annoy the older dog, although it is rare for an older dog to actually hurt a pup. If they have had a good walk together the pup will want to sleep for a while anyway, so will be quite happy to retreat to its 'den' for a nap or a chew on a bone.

I am sure you will find that they will soon be happy to see each other and will learn to live together quite happily.

[taze]

totaly agree with lankeela the more energy you can burn of when walking dogs together the calmer the meet of lead should be

[winny]

good plan about walking and wearing them out. you put a child in a play pen so it can play safely. I did and I am sure most mothers do. All this cage phobia is because people have the wrong impression of them. They are simply nice safe places to be and dogs who are taught this are generally well adjusted. What about a baby gate too so they can both have their own space in the others house when you are visiting. Removing chews etc is a good idea as my lab is good with other dogs but if chews are involved she will not necessarily start a full fight but will snap and make her opinion known. I am sure if you introduce on neutral ground and do it really gradually in very small stages you will be fine. Slowly and surely is they key. I never thought either of my dogs would live with a cat as they both chase cats when out. We "CAGED" the new kitten and after a very gradual and slow process involving cages and baby gates they all live very hapily although the cat knows better than to sniff the dog toys and chews.

[Alf]

Thank you for all your suggestions. The dogs have still not met yet as the puppy still has a touch of kennel cough. They have had visual contact and I know the older dog was concerned. The pup of course thought it was great to see a 'friend'! Bless her, the entire world is just so exciting!
I'm sure I'll be in touch again to ask further advice when I need to remove the pup from the collie's mouth.