I feel like I am posting so often but so many questions are coming up with the new pup, and I really dont have anyone to talk to over here in Spain.

Leo my 11yo Bischon/Griffon mix weighs 22lbs. He is always sleeping/ Hiding whatever under my bed...Bobby likes to go under there with him and there has never been a problem. I was just putting away laundry and she went under the bed and then I hear him barking and growling and scuffling and her screaming. I started yelling at him, and was trying to move the bed to rescue her, I grabbed her and he bared his teeth growling and lunged at me several times to bite. This is my husbands dog and Leo and I have it rough. He is bitten me 2x and growls at me on almost a daily basis. My husband just makes excuses for it...like hes old, or tired, or achey...ahhh.. I just think he hates me cause he does not act like this towards anyone else...he also likes me to love on him and play with him. Im the one that feeds and walks him most of the time.

He is currently shut in the kitchen in punishment. What do I do??? He needs a major attitude adjustment. My hubby has had him for all 11 years and there has never been abuse or anything but the old mutt being spoilt!!!

Im so angry!! I chkd her over and she is not bleeding, but I am concerned he will really hurt one of us one day!

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Princess Bobbie 7/1/2010
Big Boy Buddie 6/29/2010
Little Baby Bunny Maddie 11/20/2010
Leo- we will never forget you buddy! 11/1/1999- 9/17/2010

You'll obviously have to separate them. He is an older dog and will not have the energy to keep up with a puppy, especially as Bobbie gets stronger and becomes more energetic. He'll need his quiet time and his own space that he can feel safe in. If he does have a dislike for you, he may also have a dislike for Bobbie since you are giving her so much attention. A little jealousy would be normal with any new dog/puppy being introduced into the family.

Someone with advice will come on soon, just keep bumping up this thread.

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Miss You Sam...
Aug 1, '94 ~ Jan 8, '07
http://www.scrapblog.com/viewer/vw_f...px?sbid=483622

I am thinking about seperating them, but she loves him, and follows him everywhere. I am sure he is jealous as my Hubby went out of town 2 weeks ago and it has just been the three of us. I am making sure to give him love too, but I know the focus has been her cause she is sick.

The downside to seperation is that I want everyone to be a aprt of the family all the time....you know I dont want one to be in one room and another in a diff.

This sucks...I take out Leos behavior on my husband like it is his fault cause he is his dog!!!!He got a nasty text message after the fight....hahaha

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Princess Bobbie 7/1/2010
Big Boy Buddie 6/29/2010
Little Baby Bunny Maddie 11/20/2010
Leo- we will never forget you buddy! 11/1/1999- 9/17/2010

Can you describe the scenarios where he growls at you?

They don't need to be together, the puppy doesn't have to pick on older dog.

I understand that he was growling and snarling at you and it made you angry, but I can totally see where he's coming from. The puppy pesters him, he tells her to stop, she keeps on and he finally tells her in no uncertain terms that she is being rude and you come along yelling at him. In the end, he is the one who is punished for being a dog. Here is a great article about dogs and the way they communicate. It's called He Just Wants to Say Hi by Suzanne Clothier. It's long, but maybe you will be able to understand where he is coming from after reading it.

http://www.nesr.info/images-english-...-to-say-hi.pdf

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We also have an 11 year old dog and he has nipped at Dakota a few times. Each time I have been present and saw the entire situation happen. Dakota yelped each time even though Teddy didn't bite her, just nipped at her. The first time, Dakota wouldn't leave him alone and he gave her a growl warning and then a nip at her. She has since learned to give Teddy his space. The other time was when she went to eat Teddy's food, which I always give first, and he growled and she still went to eat it and then he nipped at her. Again she yelped and ran but hasn't gone near his food again. I try to keep them together but Dakota is very laid back and definitely gives him his distance which is exactly what Teddy wants. I do let Teddy have the upstairs (our bedrooms) has his space and don't allow Dakota there.
I'm not sure if any of this helps but thought I would give you my experience with a senior dog and a puppy. From what I've heard/learned, supervision is very important. I don't have any advice for Leo biting you and hopefully someone else can help you with that.

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Don't seperate them completely, but make sure they are not left alone together. If his place is under your bed, make sure that Bobby does not invade that space, even though I do know how difficult that is (puppies like to pile with other dogs).

Leo is probably old and crabby and isn't thrilled about all of the changes in his life. But he can learn to get along with Bobby. And in theory, he scared her enough that she will be a bit more respectful of him.

Otherwise, make sure you are on hand to step in and keep her from pushing any of his buttons. And try to keep things as normal as possible for him despite the golden interloper.

To some extent is it perfectly right for the older dog to teach the puppy manners. Puppies pester and need to be told to behave by the older dog. As long as there are no injuries and just lots of noise you should let them work out there relationship.

Megora is right about not letting Bobby invade Leo's personal zone, under the bed. Don't let her go in there and always supervise them when they are together. Bobby will learn what Leo won't tolerate, and it sounds like Leo has been ok with her otherwise.

Try not to yell at Leo as long as he is not actually hurting her. And be prepared for some point in the future when Bobby loses her "puppy license" and Leo really puts her in her place.

I know Bobby is getting alot of your time and attention, but if you would like to improve your relationship with Leo every interaction you have with him has to be very positive so that when he sees you coming he starts to expect good things.

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Now I feel guilty for punishing him, and I hope that she will respect his space. I will make sure I keep her away from the bed.

As far as him going for me, the first time I was helping him get up on the bed where he wanted to be and he bit my arm. The second time was in the car, and he was sitting so close to me I was trying to move him over a little for more room he jumped up towards my face but bit me on my arm again. Daily he growls at me when I want him to do anything. ( like time to eat, or go to bed, or if I need him to go in another room cause Im mopping) If I just say his name and walk towards him he will start to grawl and if go closer he lunges to bit...so I back off and give him space but then I feel like he is winning and thats telling him the behavior is ok, I want to teach him it is not ok to treat me like this. My Husband just said this is who he is and he cant change cause he is too old and set in his ways, but I dont think that is true.

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Princess Bobbie 7/1/2010
Big Boy Buddie 6/29/2010
Little Baby Bunny Maddie 11/20/2010
Leo- we will never forget you buddy! 11/1/1999- 9/17/2010

You are right, there are things you can do to improve his behavior towards you. Try dropping treats in front of him when you walk past him, do it a lot, eventually he will decide you bring good things. Call him to you instead of approaching him, again with treats so he wants to come to you.

You might start a new thread to ask for suggestions for working with him. These are just a few I've learned, I know there are other board members with much more experience and knowledge than me.

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