My Gracie is 16 weeks now. She is constantly jumping on (and over) and biting on my Shih Tzu who is 14 yrs old and almost totally deaf and blind. The only place Skittles can go is up on a chair but now Gracie can jump up on them too. Skittles is so gentle that she won't snap and doesn't even growl much at the puppy, she just tries to escape. I yell no all the time at Gracie but it isn't helping much. Any suggestions to get the puppy to lay off Skittles?
Blindsiding my older dog
- Thread starter sp7028
- Start date
You can't just yell no. Much like a child a puppy does not know the meaning no. I would say no, pick up puppy and redirect her attention. She will eventually learn Skittles is off limits. You really should watch Gracie 24/7 or put her in a pen or crate when you can not. This will help with her not getting to Skittles without you knowing. Since Skittles won't growl you need to do the protecting. We had to do the same with Ruutu and Honey but Honey does growl, Ruutu just chooses to ignore her.
trini
Forums Sage
Allowing Gracie to constantly pester Skittles is not teaching her any doggie manners and someday she might pester the wrong dog and get hurt. "No" alone means nothing to a pup...there have to be tangible consequences to her actions. This can be time out in a crate, play pen or a small puppy proof room with a gate in the doorway.
Also Skittles should have several times during the day that are 100% puppy-free for a substantial period of time to rest and enjoy your company alone...this is really important to give Skittles quality of life. In time Gracie will grow up and some of the restrictions can be lessened, but for now Skittles really needs for you to advocate for her and make sure she gets plenty of well deserved breaks from puppy energy.
Trini
Also Skittles should have several times during the day that are 100% puppy-free for a substantial period of time to rest and enjoy your company alone...this is really important to give Skittles quality of life. In time Gracie will grow up and some of the restrictions can be lessened, but for now Skittles really needs for you to advocate for her and make sure she gets plenty of well deserved breaks from puppy energy.
Trini
Caro
Moderator
I agree with Melbell, at that age puppys really don't understand the word 'no' and they haven't developed empathy. Keep her confined in a pen if you can't watch her and consider keeping her on a lead when she is playing and excited so you can control her access to Skittle. When she does harass Skittles put her in time out until she calms down a little. You need to teach her how to be calm when Skittles is around.
Thank you all for the suggestions. I do have a pen that I put Gracie in whenever I'm out of the room she is in. And I do put her in it some so Skittles gets time alone with me. I also have begun to take them out one at a time. I just didn't realize she would get the message by putting her in time out. I will try that. Not having had a puppy in 14 yrs, I was a little unprepared for a lot of things. But at least I am retired so I am home most of the time.
corbinam
Moderator
Enzo does this with Bentley (who is almost 7). Now that he is 16 weeks old, he actually is starting to respond to "unh-unh" and will leave him alone if we ask him to. Bentley is the same in that he doesn't usually tell Enzo to stop. So we've watched them interact and set ground rules. For example, if Bentley is laying down on the couch, Enzo is NOT allowed to pester him. However, if Bentley is standing and looking down at him, it's fair game.