New Puppy issue

Board Walker

HI guys, i have a question....

So i have a beautifully tempered Golden lab who is 4 and last Thursday we got a cocker spaniel pup. the first day he was just a bit cautions but seemed to like having a puppy around but ever since, he wont come near her. he growls and runs off any time she walks near him. shes quite small as you can imagine. usually he sleeps in his bed upstairs in the hall but sometimes he sleeps in the kitchen in another bed, so the first few nights he sept upstairs but last night we put him in the kitchen and when my wife went down to them this morning he was across the kitchen asleep on the cold floor away from her crate which was next to his bed. Whats worst now is that our lab is ignoring my wife and wont come near her either. He ran straight past her and upstairs to me this morning.

I really did not expect this behavior. Is this common or does it sound like something that is likely to pass or is there something i can do? I'd hate to have to give the puppy away.

Thank you!

tk123

Yeah it's normal enough - he's setting boundaries with her and teaching her what's acceptable. I'd let him keep his distance when he wants, supervised time together, make sure he has an escape route so she's not pestering her. I'd let him correct her too but obviously supervise a growl/bark is fine to tell her off. Bailey was the same with Lucy so I used to have him sit beside us when I was doing training with her and just treat him for being near her etc etc. He'll be a good teacher and come around - don't worry!

Board Walker

That is a relief to hear. hes not barking at her in fairness and its not a really loud growl, he just mumbles and runs off haha. sometimes then youd see the pair of them nosing through twigs next to each other so i has thought it may pass.

Graces7

Takes time and it is very early days... Please, be patient. I get this when I bring new rescue cats in.. Think of you being put in with a person you had never met before...

Board Walker

Thank you, its only our first time bringing in a new puppy.

She is way easier to train than the lab. in contrast he was quite bold and poo'd her body weight 7 times day haha

Graces7

Board Walker wrote: »

Thank you, its only our first time bringing in a new puppy.

She is way easier to train than the lab. in contrast he was quite bold and poo'd her body weight 7 times day haha

One Siamese who was new to me, as soon as her old family left, leapt onto the kitchen counter, glared at me and did a huge whoopsy. a cat of character giving me fair warning ..

Paddy Cow

Board Walker wrote: »

last night we put him in the kitchen and when my wife went down to them this morning he was across the kitchen asleep on the cold floor away from her crate which was next to his bed. Whats worst now is that our lab is ignoring my wife and wont come near her either.

I'd move the puppy crate away from his bed. He's obviously not happy with it and letting your wife know.

3dogs

Very normal. Your guy will come round in time but in the meantime don't forget to continue to make a fuss of him. Pups tend to monopolize our time and that is hard on the older dog