I have recently adopted an 8 year old neutered male springer, I already have 2 who have formed their own little pack. The new dog has been attacked by dogs before but didn't run, just closed his eyes and stood there. My female is fine, she gave him a little growl to let him know that he is below her in the pack and all was good. My resident male has snapped at the new one a few times so as the pack leader I gave him a firm no and let him know this behaviour is unacceptable. It has got to the point now that the new dog won't walk past the other male if he is looking at him. I am sure they will all calm down and get used to each other but I am not sure what to do in the meantime? I don't want to force the new dog into something he isn't ready for but I also don't want this to get any worse. Yesterday I stopped the new dog from hiding under the kitchen table which forced him to mingle with the others. He was fine and is slowly becoming more relaxed but every now and then will start to whine. I just need to know if I am going about this the right way? I don't want to make him worse.
The old pack consists of a 2 year old neutered male and a 2 year old spayed female. All dogs are springer spaniels. It has been less than 48 hours since the new one arrived so I really want to start as I mean to go on. At night and during the day when I cannot keep an eye on them I let the new one do what he wants. I put his bed under the table where he seems to feel safe.
The old pack consists of a 2 year old neutered male and a 2 year old spayed female. All dogs are springer spaniels. It has been less than 48 hours since the new one arrived so I really want to start as I mean to go on. At night and during the day when I cannot keep an eye on them I let the new one do what he wants. I put his bed under the table where he seems to feel safe.