Mom got my sister a Maltese puppy as an early xmas present. Well...our current family dog HATES it. I like the new puppy, she's playful and just funny to watch run around. She tries to play with our other dog and gets snapped at. Will this ever go away or what? We're not showing the new dog any more attention than the old one, both get "equal" treatment as far as I'm concerned.

 

Your older dog is just establishing who's in charge.. it's natural and they'll settle into a natural realtionship eventually... tho it may take until the new pup gets all the puppiness out.. lol

The older one may always occasionally snap at or growl at the younger but it's just a dominance thing, it's what dogs do. You're the pack leader (or whoever your dog is most partial to is) and now your dog finally has to adjust to a pack member that has less status. It'll all work out, they'll be inseperable in a while.

No worries!

 

Good deal thanks. Needless to say it's our first time having more than 1 dog at a time.

 

It is usually best to introduce dogs at a neutral site, like a park. That way, territorial protection is not a factor. Then bring them back to the home together. Your older dog does not like the intrusion and is establishing dominance over a lesser dog in the pack.

 

call the dog whisperer

 

Very well put! Your first dog is just showing the new dog that he/she is the one in charge. If they are both males or both females, then the tension will be a little higher since both want to be the dominant one. If they there is a male and a female, then the female will soon fall into her role as the follower. But like Texedition said, they will chill out at some point. But it may take a while...

 

Agreed, it's likely just establishing social status.