GSD Puppy and Older dog

[SamanthaBrynn]

My husband and I have a 7 year old male mix dog...not sure what he is but he's my baby and a brand new 16 week GSD. The Mixed Male seems to be rather grumpy with her...she's been with us for 3 1/2 weeks now. He's all ready snapped her once and got her nose and we ended up and the e-vet for fear he had really hurt her. Just when I think things are getting better, he gets grumbly again....growling and showing teeth. Seems as though things may be a little better when we're outside playing but in the house, it's back to growling. Any one have experience with this? I was hoping they would become great friends...any tips or suggestions?

[bruiser]

I have a 10 yr. female lab and a male GSD that is now 10 mos. My older dog was the same way. She is kind of like an only child and did like sharing the spot light with a doggie sibbling. Most I think the GSD just has more play energy. I found what was most important was giving each dog time alone with me and this way they were both treated equal. Each likes their special one on one time and I just have to make the time. I don't like the GSD play rough with the older lab. I also don't let the older lab be overly saucy as well. It's just kind of a balancing act, at least for me.

[SamanthaBrynn]

Is it getting any better for you? The vet said he expects they'll be buddies in no time but IDK.

[Dainerra]

try to make sure that the puppy doesn't bother him too much. We think they are cute as heck, but lets face it, baby puppies can be annoying too.
Esp if they also keep jumping on an older dog.

When he gets grumbly, I'd separate them. Let the older dog have his space and make times when he is with the puppy "fun"

Rayden was almost 8 when Singe came home and we went through the same things. Let's face it, it's like your parents brought home a new baby when you were 40! It takes a little bit to get used to.

[chelle]

When I brought home dog #2 to dog #1 I truly believed they would never, ever, ever be able to be left alone together. The crap went on for what felt like forever. In truth I suppose it was 4 months or so?? I'm really not sure on the timing there, but I can say those two dogs are two peas in a pod now. I worry how the other will survive when one of them passes.

However, now I have dog #3 and yikes. I'm back to thinking there's no way dog #2 and dog #3 will ever be trusted alone. The way I'm looking at it is if those two DO eventually love each other, I've scored bigtime. Right now my gameplan is they will always be separated when not under supervision.

[BowWowMeow]

My dog Chama never liked puppies. She would get used to an older puppy/dog but she had no tolerance whatsoever for the baby puppies. She let them know she didn't like them and I also discouraged the puppies from bothering her.

Once the puppy was 5 or 6 months old, calmer and had better manners she would accept them.

[SamanthaBrynn]

He seems to tolerate her until she gets in his face...she wants to lick him and love on him but he is having none of it. I have a harness on her which makes it easier to seperate them. It's tough to keep her off of him. I'm actually relieved that it's not just me. I do hope they will grow to love one another. I'm def in that phase where I think I'll never be able to leave them alone. <sigh> We play the waiting game and try to make this as easy for dog #1 as I can.

[kiya]

I have 3 dogs. It took a long time for my male, who was about 7-1/2 to warm up to our new female pup now 20 months old. I have to say it was almost a year before he really played with her like he does with my other dog. I thought I was going to have a problem with the female, but they became best buds immediately, she's 7 now.
It was definately better outside, inside was were problems arose. Mostly because of toys, and now food. I still have to watch them very closely. The first time the male went after the pup, my heart stopped, but he is all noise. Unfortunately it didn't take long for the pup to figure him out. She pushes his buttons. She's a very dominant female.

[bruiser]

My GSD and lab are doing better. They constantly antagonize each other but when they're apart they want to be together. It will get better hopefully, I just don't let my younger GSD annoy my older lab to much. Spend time with each of them alone and together so they don't get jealous.

[mssandslinger]

It was like that for my older lab and GSD puppy, once he was about 6 months she started to play with him and not correct him all the time, some dogs just dont like puppies and you have to just wait it out.