Depressed/Stressed dog due to new puppy

[Jull]

A few weeks ago my partner and I bought a puppy (cheweenie) as a companion for our 1 1/2 year old dog (yorki/pom mix) both of us work and even though we try to be home as much as possible, we didn't wanted him to be lonely.

We have been keeping them separately for now, and then supervise playtime; however we have noted our dog has been very stressed since the new addition, there has been days where he wont eat and just lays in his bed, he wont even accept a treat! other times he will just sit on the couch with his back towards us and ignore us, or just sleep all the time.

I do understand they are not going to be best buddies right away; however the last couple days we have also noted that even though they can play for a few minutes together the puppy obviously can be a bit rough at times, and makes the older dog cry. And now, when my older dog has had enough from him he hides under the couch, where he can barely fit, and wont come out until we get him; he does have his "safe place" away from puppy, but now he just does that.

I love them both so much, but it does break my heart to see my little guy so sad and stressed, my partner has decided that we should find a new home home for the puppy as it is not working out, I am so heart broken and feel like a terrible person for doing that, so I don't know what to do, should we just give it more time?

Now, I know friends have suggested to take them out for walks, however, where I live the temperature is very cold (-20 to -40 degrees) so going for walks is not much of an option for them right now, they can barely go out for a pee.

I just want to do what is best for both of them, but now I am a little depressed too

[Dog Dancer]

Sorry to hear you're having trouble integrating the new puppy. I think you may need a bit more time to be honest. What part of Canada are you from? Is it always too cold to go outside with them, because I have to agree that walking them together would be good for them. It's very important your older dog (who is not old at all...) gets some quality time to still feel important, and individual play time as well. But letting them play together and rewarding each for good play will help. I may be in your shoes in a few more weeks when we bring two new pups into our house to join our senior doggy.

[Jull]

I live in SK, so right now it is pretty cold for them, when they go out they just go fast - take care of business and ran back in.

We actually have a good person that would take him andgive him a very good home if it comes down to it... but we have a bit of time before any decisions are made, it is still sad though... today my older guy wouldnt eat untill my boy friend sat down by his side

[Marty11]

Hi Jull, I can't give you an anwer on this one. But I experienced a similar situation. I brought a puppy home to my not so old terrier. To me it seemed that he was going to hurt her, I was in tears..... I talked to my dog trainer about it. My older terrier was on a leash with no handle so I could correct very quickly. And walking together helped as well. The puppy was always crated when I couldn't supervise. I was very upset, I thought two could be company.....After several weeks of constant training they became inseperable. Hang in there and get good advice from a trainer. Your dog is in hiding, definately a bit different. What about a 3rd party dog to come and play to distract? Lots of treats to the older dog.

[Jull]

Yes we have been giving him lots of attention and treats, although sometimes he just wont take them. Usually after being around the puppy for a little bit he will ask us to go to bed, because he knows that bed time means is just him and puppy stays on his crate very sweet.

We have another Yorkie in the family and he adores him, he has come to stay at home with us before too and he was perfectly fine with it, even though he is an older dog and did nip on him a few times for being annoying. Someone told me that I should off gotten him a female as terriers live better together with opposites.

I guess the one things that does worry me is him hiding - I can see him being annoyed and going up stairs where the little one can't reach him - but hiding under the furniture and refusing to come out is what saddens me.

[tenderfoot]

I think the older Pom x doesn't like or understand the energy of the pup. Not all dogs like puppies. He is overwhelmed and doesn't feel you protecting him from the pup so he is out of sorts. He isn't comfortable in his own home right now.

I would show the older dog that you have his back and you are willing to teach the pup how to be gentle, and to leave the older dog alone when it is appropriate. I would do a lot of obedience with both of them. The pup needs to learn and the older dog needs to feel valued and connected. Walking them together is great but obviously not a good answer right now. But you can certainly have them on leashes in the house and walk around with them. It is also a good opportunity to show the older dog that you are in control of the pup. So if the pup starts to go after the older dog (even in play) you are ready to stop him.

New relationships can take time and usually do work out for the best. Try not to let the older dog escape quite so much, he needs to learn to face the music and experience the pup - if he is always avoiding then this will take much longer.

You might try feeding him in his crate for a while until things settle down.