Will they ever get along 😔 **updated**

[WafflesMom]

We got a female puppy at 3 months old, and she is now 5 months old. My older dog (f) is 2.5 years old. Ever since we brought the puppy home, my big girl has been acting strangely, and I can’t put my finger on it—she just doesn’t seem like herself.
I feel guilty whenever my big girl sees me cuddling the puppy. She even jumps off her bed whenever the little one jumps on it. I try to redirect the puppy to her own bed, but she constantly seeks out my big girl. They tussle and play, but I can never tell if my big girl actually enjoys it. She never has a chance to go looking for the puppy because the puppy is always pouncing on her.
She’s not naturally aggressive, but sometimes she gets exasperated and snaps at the puppy. I’ve gotten so much conflicting advice—some people say to never let them use their teeth, while others say to let them “duke it out.” I’m so confused and, honestly, I feel guilty for turning my big girl’s world upside down.
Has anyone successfully navigated a situation like this? How did you handle it? I am really hoping it's not too late for them to eventually be buddies.
Guidance is greatly appreciated.

** It's been 2 months since I posted this and wanted anyone who is going through the same issue to know it can get better! The girls aren't necessarily best cuddle buddies but they are getting along much much better. They play rough which I've gotten used to and my big girl does need a break every now and again but overall they can peacefully coexist. **

 

[2bullymama]

Walks!! Lots of walks… get them to bind up. You want them to bond early so later there aren’t worse issues. Two females can be a challenge so you also want to make sure they both know you and other humans in house are the boss… training technique called ‘nothing in life is free’. So easy to use but everyone MUST be in board.

My 13 yr old wants nothing to do with out 1.5 year old… he does as your older girl does… gets up and leaves the area. He wants the puppy in the house but not in his space. It’s a tough balancing act for us but so far it’s working

 

[WafflesMom]

Walks!! Lots of walks… get them to bind up. You want them to bond early so later there aren’t worse issues. Two females can be a challenge so you also want to make sure they both know you and other humans in house are the boss… training technique called ‘nothing in life is free’. So easy to use but everyone MUST be in board.

My 13 yr old wants nothing to do with out 1.5 year old… he does as your older girl does… gets up and leaves the area. He wants the puppy in the house but not in his space. It’s a tough balancing act for us but so far it’s working

Thank you for the feedback! May I ask how you can tell that he wants the puppy in the house? I'm having such a hard time deciphering my big girls body language.

 

[2bullymama]

Thank you for the feedback! May I ask how you can tell that he wants the puppy in the house? I'm having such a hard time deciphering my big girls body language.

When we first got Cubby.. it wasn’t going well so after two weeks we returned to breeder. At that point,Cheli stopped eating and was just sleeping.. No interaction with us at all. After a couple weeks, we brought Cubby back and Cheli bounced back but he keeps Cubby at an arm’s length. Cheli hates cuddling but Cubby loves to cuddle so when we see cubby trying to get with Cheli we take him snd have him cuddle with one of us. When cubby want to play and tries to engage Cheli, we then interact with Cubby and Cheli joins in . We found that process works best to keep them from fighting. Cheli loses patience quickly so we had to really pay attention when cubby first returned to the house. Walks help because is tires them both out. Cubby walls along side of Vhrlis stroller and Cheli just chills out enjoying the scent and sceneries. When we get home.. both zonk out.

 

[Terry S]

We got a female puppy at 3 months old, and she is now 5 months old. My older dog (f) is 2.5 years old. Ever since we brought the puppy home, my big girl has been acting strangely, and I can’t put my finger on it—she just doesn’t seem like herself.
I feel guilty whenever my big girl sees me cuddling the puppy. She even jumps off her bed whenever the little one jumps on it. I try to redirect the puppy to her own bed, but she constantly seeks out my big girl. They tussle and play, but I can never tell if my big girl actually enjoys it. She never has a chance to go looking for the puppy because the puppy is always pouncing on her.
She’s not naturally aggressive, but sometimes she gets exasperated and snaps at the puppy. I’ve gotten so much conflicting advice—some people say to never let them use their teeth, while others say to let them “duke it out.” I’m so confused and, honestly, I feel guilty for turning my big girl’s world upside down.
Has anyone successfully navigated a situation like this? How did you handle it? I am really hoping it's not too late for them to eventually be buddies.
Guidance is greatly appreciated.
View attachment 27281

This behaviour as you know is from the lack of recognition. Try having them cuddle, and get stroked TOGETHER, slowly feed the together, have them catch a ball together, sleep together, pat them together, it may take some time.