So, older dog keeps hiding from new dog

[Bernadine]

All she wants to do is play, and Manny is not having it.  He keeps hiding under the kitchen table, behind the chair, in his crate.

What do I do?

[rosiedozie]

How long. Have you had the new dog?

[Bernadine]

Apr 24, 2014 8:27:47 GMT -5 rosiedozie said:

How long. Have you had the new dog?

Only a week.  I'm sure they still just need time to adjust, right?  I'm just wondering what, if any, action I should be taking.  I do make her leave him alone when he's in his crate.

[thinkofthesoldiers]

How old is the older dog?

[rosiedozie]

I bet they're just still adjusting to each other. Make sure that you are giving your older dog time away from the new one - so put the new one in their crate/separate room a few times a day and give your undivided attention to your older pup.

[Bernadine]

Apr 24, 2014 8:37:07 GMT -5 thinkofthesoldiers said:

How old is the older dog?

He's 6.  New dog is just over a year, and still has a lot of puppy in her.

Manny was raised with his brother, and loves my parents' dog, so we thought he'd really enjoy having another dog around.  I'm sure we just need to give it time, I just hate that he's unhappy right now.

[thinkofthesoldiers]

Ah okay. I thought maybe the older dog was 10+ and it would make more sense. This is just growing pains. He'll come around.

[Bernadine]

Apr 24, 2014 9:18:20 GMT -5 thinkofthesoldiers said:

Ah okay. I thought maybe the older dog was 10+ and it would make more sense. This is just growing pains. He'll come around.

Thanks.  I just need some reassurance.

This is why we need the ugly fence, lol, so Millie can get all of her energy out.  Our walks aren't enough.

[thinkofthesoldiers]

Apr 24, 2014 9:27:46 GMT -5 Bernadine said:

Apr 24, 2014 9:18:20 GMT -5 thinkofthesoldiers said:

Ah okay. I thought maybe the older dog was 10+ and it would make more sense. This is just growing pains. He'll come around.

Thanks.  I just need some reassurance.

This is why we need the ugly fence, lol, so Millie can get all of her energy out.  Our walks aren't enough.

You need a better looking fence. THen she'll be all "look at me prancing around my fancy ass backyard!" LOL

They will wear each other out before you know it.

[lavender444]

Maybe take the new dog to the dog park a couple times a week? She can get out some energy, and your older boy can get a break.

[Deleted]

I'm sure they will adjust. Plus the old dog may just be a grumpy old man and not have the energy to keep up with a pup.

[FastHands]

They'll figure it out. We have a 7yo and a 3yo (best guesses). They came together as a rescued pair, so we skipped some of the growing pains, but they have a whole system for play. They do play together quite a bit, but there are times the older dog just doesn't freakin feel like it, so he'll either just lay there and let her stand over him (she is 100% alpha, lol), or he'll get on the bed/couch and go under the blankets. haha.

My mom got a brand new puppy, and her dog is 13yo. In their case, the old girl is truly WTF and will usually just hide or snap at the pup to let him know to move along. But even with them, they've learned to read each other's cues and they do just fine.

As long as no one is being hurt, then I'd just let them figure it out on their own. I would definitely make sure the older dog's safe spaces (kennel especially) are respected, though -- redirect the new pup if he tries to antagonize/play when the older one has already retreated to the kennel, for example.