Dog’s Training Reversed By New Puppy?
September 17, 2009 by admin
Filed under Care & Training Q&As
We have a 2 1/2 yr old lab. He’s been potty trained for well over a year now. 7 months ago, we got a papillon puppy. She’s been significantly more difficult to train, and still has “accidents”. This morning, I found that my lab had an “accident”. Has anyone hear of an older dog acting out or his training being “reversed” by the bad behavior of a new puppy? The puppy has also been getting a lot of attention lately – vet visits, that sort of thing… so could he be jealous and acting out?
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My older female dog did that also upon the arrival of a new puppy.
But she would look really guilty when I caught her at it, so she knew it was wrong.
I don’t know why she did it, but it almost felt like, “If that puppy can get away with it why shouldn’t !?”
I did keep my eye on her and she quit doing it, the puppy also quit shortly after.
I think as soon as you get puppy trained, your older dog will be okay again. Good luck!
Canines do not act out and jealousy is a human emotion, not exactly one for dogs. BUT your lab may be claiming territory, forced to urinate where your papillon did if it was not fully cleaned up with an enzyme cleaner, or sometimes eliminating in the house comforts the lab with his own smell. SOOO, with no anger, pretend that both dogs need to be house trained from the beginning. Be sure all accidents are cleaned up with enzyme cleaner and make sure your Lab gets lots of exercise, attention and interactive toys Kong’s, stuffed holee rollers and hide a squirrel type toys) to avoid boredom and stress.
Its also important to maintain their hierarchy. Greet, feed, walk the older dog FIRST. If you put the pup as the number one dog( pick up over the other, greet first, allow on furniture etc) the older dog will fight to retain control (mark all over the house).
Your older dog could be doing a number of things – acting out jealousy, trying to get attention by negative behavior, or, as someone else suggested, marking his territory.
The best thing you can do is revert back to the training you did with him as a puppy (and should be doing with your new puppy). he needs to be reminded that he can’t soil the house.
It’s probably a good idea to give him some extra love too, so he knows you’re not “replacing” him.
The older dog is marking its territory due to the new dog being in the house. Get the male dog neutered this may help the problem
With a new puppy you have to keep in mind that there has to be a heirarchy with YOU at the top but with the two dogs both equal parts of your “tribe”. Your older dog maybe showing signs of dominance and also trying to get your attention (obviously in a way you don’t want). I would suggest to take them both on two long walks (morning and evening) to tire them out and satisfy thier potential boredom. Also when you have a young puppy with another older dog you may find yourself caught up in constantly letting out the little guy while the older one is caught at the window wanting to go out- try to take them both out as the older one will set a good example of relieving themselves in front of the puppy. Good luck- spend four good months thinking about the little ones bladder (needs to go out, needs to go out) and you will have a happy house trained dog.
-A
Sounds like you need some training help. There are some really excellent dog obedience training courses out there that you can use. Be careful though – there are some pretty bad ones too.
aweee bless….shes looking for the same attention
Sounds like you need some training help. There are some really excellent dog obedience training courses out there that you can use. Be careful though – there are some pretty bad ones too. Here’s one I recommend (a ton of people have had success with this one): http://tinyurl.com/38fecn