Help introducing a new puppy to an aggressive dog?

[Tina]

I've had a miniature dachshund for over 3 years. (Although he's not that miniature, rather big for his breed.) He's always been aggressive. (And I'm not sure why. I've raised him since he was a puppy and I've never taught him such behavior and he's always been around people.) But if I have someone over that he's never met, he will growl, bark, and occasionally try to bite them. Well, two weeks ago, I brought home an 8 week old chihuahua terrier mix puppy. I've tried easing my older dog into the puppy slowly. They have never been in the same room for more than about an hour. I hold the puppy and let the older dog sniff him, but that's as close as they've been so far. When in the same room, my older dog constantly shakes, stands, stares, and prepares to pounce on the puppy. Last week, the puppy was in my lap when the older dog was in the room and the older dog pounced on my puppy, biting his butt. I used my "angry voice" and spanked the dog slightly to show it was wrong. But it's been a week and my older dog still wont be nice to the pup. I'm not sure what to do to stop my older dog's behavior. Am I doing this wrong? Can you please give me tips? How long should this take?

also, I have been giving the older dog time alone with me. I've never fed them in the same room or anything.
I'm not getting rid of either dog and it doesn't matter why I got a new pup. That is not what the question is about. If you're answering this, ANSWER THE ACTUAL QUESTION PLEASE.

 

[Barbara]

It is your responsibility to make sure that the pup only has good experiences. Maybe your older dog should be an only dog. Try keeping the adult dog on a lead when pup is about and then you have more control. You may have to remove the older dog many times when he begins to aggress. Do it as many times as it takes and he will get fed up of being removed. When he is in the same room and calm make sure you give him treats. Associate a phrase like " be nice" to the calm behaviour and he will learn.

 

[Annette L]

First of all you need to correct the dogs aggressive behaviour and this behaviour is not taught. Is your older dog neutered, if not , this has to be done. Second of all, it will take more than a week for them to get along. Just make sure that you do not leave them alone and it will take time. It could take months or even a year. Try walking them together, I know this helped me with my 2. Good Luck

 

[tarielle_au]

Why would you bring another dog into a household where you already have an aggressive dog?
I would never do that.

You are taking a big risk but you can try to get it to work. Give it about a month max and see how you go. I hope you first introduced them on neutral territory (away from the house). Normally I would let them be around one another but when the puppy gets too rough and the older dogs snapping doesn't deter the pup then you need to give the older dog a time out. Get a play pen for the pup. We have one and have used it many times. The older dog can still come up to pen and interact with the pup through the bars but it's on the older dogs terms. I think if the older dog doesn't go up at all then that is probably a sign that he doesn't want a bar of the new dog.

If your older dog absolutely won't accept the new pup then I'm afraid you will more than likely have to find the pup a new home. You do not want any harm to come to the pup so be prepared for that and don't get attached to the new arrival.

Also, never ever leave these two alone together. Even if you have to be out of the room they are in, take the pup with you or put it in the play pen. It only takes a second for your older dog to grab the little one when your back is turned.

 

[Megan Wilson]

Ok, number one, the reason you got the puppy does matter. Where you got the puppy matters as well. No reputable breeder or shelter would adopt out a puppy to a home that has an aggressive dog.

You're right that you did not teach him to be aggressive, however you also probably never corrected him to tell him that his behavior was unacceptable.

Number two, NEVER hit a dog that is in a fight. You can cause more harm than good because you are aggravating the dog even more.

Number three and I'm sure I'm going to get a a lot of hate for this but, this puppy does not need to be in your home right now. It was incredibly irresponsible to bring a puppy into your home when you KNEW that your dog was dog aggressive. Did you really think your dog was going to be okay with it?

The dogs should have never had their first meeting in your home. The adult was at an advantage and it likely escalated his aggression because he didn't want another dog on his territory. The meeting should have happened on neutral ground, a place where neither dog can claim the space as theirs.

I can give you methods to ease your dog's dog aggression but they will all be in vain because there is already a dog in the home that he doesn't want there. No method will work because there is a constant stimulus there that rials him up.

 

[WyrDachsie]

You only take Cinnamons advice if you want a dead puppy. You dachshund has always been aggressive because he's been allowed to be, he's gotten away with this behavior for a long time.

Since you already knew your current dog is aggressive, what would make you think he would readily accept a puppy. Oh and while I'm at it, a puppy chihuahua looks like a prey animal and the dachshund most likely would like to kill it.

Your current dog may eventually accept the younger dog or maybe not and you may need to always keep them seperated. I'm not in you home som I don't know. If they are opposite sex, there is a better chance they will get along than if they are the same sex.

edit: Cinnamon obviously does not know dachshunds.

 

[Cinnamon]

Let them play on the floor, don't be too scared about it. If your older dog starts getting rough then take him out of the room where he will get to attention. Then when he calms down bring him back in and try again. He has to know that your new puppy is now apart of the family. It may take time, be patient.

Good luck

EDIT: really, a dead puppy? haha, don't misinform the asker. The dog won't kill it, go back to your basement.

 

[xXmusicmanicXx]

http://www.raisingspot.com/intro-bringing-puppy-home

This site helped me, hope it helps you.

 

[Alicat 42]

Well...It depends what training methods you use, it's hard to recommend one as everyone believes whatever way they train their dog(s) is the best way in the world, and on such a forum it's a good way to start a war lol I tend to follow Cesar Millan's training methods for the most part.

As far as your older dog, they all have their own personality. I've found dachshund in general despise me for some reason. Maybe it's my height, I dont know but to me, any way, they've always been aggressive towards me and my dogs. It could be in the breeds nature.

I think letting your older dog sniff the puppy was a good idea. Do they have crates to sleep in at night? If they do, what I would do is put the crates next to each other (not side by side though) and put your older dog in his crate first, close the door, and then put your puppy in its crate and close the door. This puts the puppy in the older dogs "territory" for long periods at a time safely.

I think showing your dog it's in the wrong is also a good idea, but again, it depends on your training preference. Swatting on the rear end may not work because it's not a natural behavior for dogs, it may not understand why you did that or what you wanted to obtain from doing that. I found if my dog is on the couch or the bed and misbehaves I make it get off and lay on the floor, kinda like saying "you don't behave this way here."

I've seen people making the older or more aggressive dogs submit to the younger or calmer ones. People do this by making the older/aggressive dog lay down on it's side in front of the other dog, or taking your older/aggressive dog and turning him so his back end is facing the other dog - this lets the other dog smell him and takes the control away from the older/aggressive dog. To me, the older/aggressive ones want to run the show, they want to be the boss, they want to conduct meetings and interactions their way lol which for some means no meetings or social interactions what so ever, it just means you and them, no people - friends or family - no other animals - cats, dogs, nothing. They want to have the last and final say, no questions asked.

I've also seen people achieve these things with clicker training. I dont know how, but it's a way to look into.

That's about as much knowledge I have, personally, on the subject. My recommendation would be to take them both to a training class, talk to a dog trainer or behaviorist. There are a lot of How To Train Your Dog books out there, Cesar Millan has a few I like and use. Read up on different training methods like the clicker training.

Sorry, I realize that isn't an immediate answer on what to do.