Oh no...my yorkie doesn't like our new puppy

[mmferg]

I really need all the help I can get on this one.

Here is a little background.

We have had Ellie for 16 months, she has always gotten along with our other dog Morgan (who is a 6 year old large mix breed rescue). From the day we brought Ellie home as a puppy she has loved everyone and always gotten along with other dogs. So....I thought a new lil' sister would be no problem and would be fun for everyone...especially Ellie.

We brought Chloe home from the breeder on Wednesday. The first day Ellie just didn't have much interest in her, and pretty much ignored her. Then on Friday she started growling and snapping at her. This was the first time I ever heard Ellie growl...I was shocked. She will let Chloe eat out of her bowl, but if Chloe touches her, tries to play with her, or just gets in her way she will snarl and snap.

Now I am wondering if I made the right decision, and I am so torn. Chloe doesn't understand why Ellie doesn't like her, and Ellie seems to be changing right before my eyes. I will do whatever it takes to make this work.

Any suggestions?????

[Nikis2]

All poor baby she is just jeoulous. You need to give her some special attention and before you no it they will be best of friends.

[Patti]

Just give it some time. Most times they end up being the best of friends

[spr377]

Is Ellie spayed? Two unspayed females are more likely to not get along. I'm sure they will be best of friends, eventually! Good luck!!

[Jenn218]

Just give it time...and make sure you show them all the same amount of love and affection, some amount of play time, some amount of treats, etc. It will just take time for those two to become the best of friends!

[mmferg]

That's what I thought , and I made sure that I gave Ellie lots of extra love and kept up with all our usual routines. Ugh...this breaking my heart

[ScootieBootie]

Proper intros are key to successful integration of a new dog into the "pack."

You may be wondering if you made the right decision, but it's not to late to change things around.

I suggest you start from scratch with the intros. Here is my article on introducing a new dog to the family dogs:
LDT House Training

I hope this helps!~

[mmferg]

No, Ellie is not spayed. I really hope that doesn't mean they won't get along. We weren't planning on having her spayed right away.

Thank you for the info on the proper way to do introductions. I thought I was doing the right thing by doing the intros outside and not in the house...but I guess I needed to take it a few steps further. Ellie is quite a bit bigger than Chloe (ellie is 7 lbs and Chloe is almost 2 lbs) so it is going to be difficult to walk Chloe until they are comfortable with each other because she is so tiny...any suggestions?

Could the size difference be part of the problem too???

[ScootieBootie]

Originally Posted by mmferg

No, Ellie is not spayed. I really hope that doesn't mean they won't get along. We weren't planning on having her spayed right away.

Thank you for the info on the proper way to do introductions. I thought I was doing the right thing by doing the intros outside and not in the house...but I guess I needed to take it a few steps further. Ellie is quite a bit bigger than Chloe (ellie is 7 lbs and Chloe is almost 2 lbs) so it is going to be difficult to walk Chloe until they are comfortable with each other because she is so tiny...any suggestions?

Could the size difference be part of the problem too???

I suggest having someone walk one while you walk the other, until you feel comfortable walking them both. If you are nervous, they will feel it!

Spaying them will help, because they won't have the hormonal fluctuations that can bring about aggression...kind of like pms in us!

Good luck, and let me know if you have any questions!

[mmferg]

I'm not really nervous about walking them together, it's just that Chloe is only 8 weeks old and a little less then 2 pounds and doesn't really know how to walk on a leash yet and with her tiny lil legs she gets pooped out right away.

Should I wait to re-introduce when Chloe is a little bigger and is able to go for walks?

[katelin]

Some of the growling and snapping is just their way of assuming control of the pack and putting the younger puppy in line. They all need to know where they stand in the pack. Make sure you are the leader of this pack and put your older female in her place if it goes too far.

Good luck.

[mmferg]

Originally Posted by katelin

Some of the growling and snapping is just their way of assuming control of the pack and putting the younger puppy in line. They all need to know where they stand in the pack. Make sure you are the leader of this pack and put your older female in her place if it goes too far.

Good luck.

I thought I was the pack leader...but maybe I'm not. Perhaps I am more of the problem than they are.

Does anyone have any tips on things I can do to make sure I am the pack leader?

[Nikis2]

I would try taking them outside to play together or just let them walk around together. I would let them get to no one another without you in the middle just standing guard just in case. It is very normal for her to feel jeolous and angry. But, she will soon realize this is a good thing and Mommy still loves me

[mscat]

Originally Posted by mmferg

I thought I was the pack leader...but maybe I'm not. Perhaps I am more of the problem than they are.

Does anyone have any tips on things I can do to make sure I am the pack leader?

What I have seen done is to not put the food bowl down, until they see you eat first . Then be sure to show them when you sit, you are in a higher position then they are. I would not ever leave the two alone together. Separate them if your not able to be there. It will take time for the bigger one to accept your new little arrival. Don't be discouraged .Start over if you have to, but, they will learn to get along, and at least tolerate each other.
As for walking, your baby has probably not had all of her vaccines yet, so it is not a good idea to have her outside. She is too little and is at risk of getting ill.
When you do bring inside your older dog, be sure to wipe her paws. You could place a harness on your baby and start getting her use to the feel of it.

[yorkieusa]

She's jealous! You're like me. I brought home a tiny silkie for just an hour until the owner contacted me back (the poor little thing was turned into me because someone found it on a railroad track!) and I saw a side of Kacee that I didn't know existed, either! Kacee loves other doggies, but this one was encroaching upon her castle. The little puppy just wanted to play!