HELP: Difference between dog attacking and correcting new puppy?

Question

I'm just wondering... Got a new puppy (8 weeks old husky, male, has all his shots) to add to our 4 year old black lab, male, not neutered (either of them).

I know older dogs generally assert their dominance over the smaller ones in the first days, but I was just wondering what the difference is between the dog attacking or correcting the pup?

Example: I let the puppy out of the bedroom to roam around the living room, and he's sort of looking around, staying close to my legs. I let my lab slowly approach him, he goes and sniffs his butt, head, etc., then makes a small snap, puppy doesn't move or lie down... Lab pushed pup with paw and husky runs away to hide, yelping... Is that normal interaction? Or something I should be concerned about?

So far the puppy has not specifically bothered the lab (other than being in the bedroom with me and the lab has the rest of the house... bathroom is too small and I don't like crates :( ) but he does jump on me a lot while the lab is around which I'm guessing is why the lab acts like this? I do spend a LOT of time with the lab to show him nothing has changed, and I go on walks alone with him, give him treats when he behaves,etc.

So basically I'm wondering if this is attacking behavior or correcting behavior? And is there anything I should be doing or not doing while this is going on? I don't want the pup hurt.

Any helpful input would be great, thanks! Especially if you've experienced this!

Answer 1

As long as the lab is not actually aggressively attacking the puppy then there is not a lot to worry about.

The older dog will and needs, to teach the pup dog etiquette (so to speak) and this is achieved by an older dog chastising the pup with growls or non connecting snaps.

The pup will often respond by acting very submissive and even running away. That`s normal.

If the two dogs fall asleep together. That is usually a sign that they have started to bond.

In my opinion there is no need , especially at this stage to have either of the dogs neutered.

If dominance issues result in constant fights when the pup is mature then castrate the more submissive dog to lower its status even more. Castrating both, will keep the status just the same and will not solve anything.

I have two intact males who are great pals, but the older more dominant one will still put the younger one in its place if it gets too over cocky with him. I allow this to happen and my older dog knows how far he can go!

YOU must be the ultimate leader though and correct any behaviour you feel is not appropriate or needs chastising. The firm but fair and calm approach is the way to be. Good luck.



Add> To answer your main question. The difference between a dog attacking and just chastising a puppy is easy to spot. Attacking is physically biting and hurting the pup and possibly drawing blood. Grabbing and shaking the pup.

Chastising or correcting the pup is by growling and eye contact (staring), snarling with teeth showing and snapping at the pup without actually connecting on it. Sometimes pinning it down without hurting it physically.

Always supervise the two together though until you are certain they have bonded.

Answer 2

The puppy is used to having other dogs all around it & your Lab is not used to something else being in his territory. The lab is just checking out the new thing, not sure what to expect.



Just wait until the puppy gets a little older & is full of high energy of a puppy, yes the lab will growl, snarl & even snap. These are just warnings but if the pup does not heed those warnings, the lab will not be walked on & will snarl, growl & snap. Even if the lab gets really aggravated cause the pup don't listen, will take & pin the pup on his back to the floor.



The pup will sound like it is being murdered. It will scream & holler & carry on. But all is fine, the lab was just correcting the pup. because it wouldn't heed the warnings. Like, enough is enough & that is IT. The pup learned a lesson & you didn't do a thing. The lab is teaching the pup & will continue to do so.



When the pup is older & his hormones become active, you may have a problem at that time. Dogs are very territorial & one will be the Alpha & the other the Beta. It has to be that way & if it isn't they will fight to harm & mame each other, with blood flying.



Either, one of them submisses or they fight until one does. This is just animal behavior, same thing happens when animals live in family grouping. There is a specific pecking order & every one has to find his or her roll in it.



If the lab does establish himself as Alpha while the pup is young, you may not have a problem until the pup is an adult.



Don't correct the lab, correct the pup. The lab is just teaching dog lessons.



Then you need to look at the temperament of both dogs. Are both strong tempered? look out!!!!! So temperament plays a big roll here to.

Answer 3

It's normal for the older dog to investigate and smell the new pup - but the when the Lab snapped, he should have been reprimanded swiftly. There was no cause for that. The pup was doing nothing but submitting to the Labs overtures.



Strictly supervise any interaction between the two as you have been doing. But the snap was aggressive and can't be tolerated. You also have to supervise in case play between the two becomes too rough. The larger dog could easily injure the pup purposely or even by accident.



It's important that these two learn to be best of friends early. Once the Husky matures, I doubt he will take ANY crap off the older dog. You should also consider neutering BOTH as soon as the puppy is old enough. It won't automatically make them best buddies, but it will take testosterone out of the picture and that certainly couldn't hurt.



Good luck.



ADD: It was not correcting behavior since (according to you), the puppy was doing nothing but allowing the Lab to smell him. While it was not extreme - it was still aggression. And, since you will be closely supervising any interaction between them and only for short period of time, there will be no need for your Lab to correct the puppy. He may not "pull his punches" and one bite could cause a severe injury. Again, neuter both as soon as possible.

Answer 4

Learning how to train your dog will improve your life and hers, enhance the bond between you, and ensure her safety and it can be a lot of fun. Dogs are usually eager to learn, and the key to success is good communication. Your dog needs to understand how you’d like her to behave and why it’s in her best interest to comply with your wishes. Check here to learn how to train your dog properly https://tr.im/4ade8

Answer 5

Husky isn't a breed, so right off the top I assume we are dealing with two poorly bred dogs here, either (or both) of which may have unstable temperaments.



Because of this, there does need to be a bit more vigilance.



NOTHING needs to be done with minor snaps or corrections other than serious supervision. Constantly intervening every time they look at each other sideways is going to cause serious issues that often lead to excessive submission, fear aggression, and outright aggression.



I have no problem with a small snaps and pawing. I assume your Lab has 100% reliable recall so if he gets his nose overly out of joint or he gets too hyper, calling his name will fix everything.



I do have a problem that the puppy (Siberian Husky? Alaskan? Greenland?) yelped and ran away over a minor play event. 8 weeks is awfully young, but this SCREAMS socialization and temperament issues, unless he was actually hurt or startled.



You only correct and intervene if it's out of control. If either dog is being pushed to the edge, you step in. Otherwise, you let them work it out.



It's instinct and experience that will tell you when to step in. Typically, it involves hackles and focus along with changes in body position, stance, and facial expressions. Since you feel comfortable with unaltered animals, I assume you have plenty of experience that has taught your instincts well.



I'm not going to yell at you to fix either dog, as long as they aren't being bred, neither accidentally or on purpose. It might make co-existance easier, but if you are experienced enough to handle two unaltered male dogs in the same household and can supervise and separate properly, then keep them fixed.





+ The reason I bring up the poor breeding is that temperament is genetic. With bad breeding tends to come unstable temperament. While a normally tempered dog may go though steps 1-10 in correcting the puppy, a poorly or incorrectly tempered dog may jump from 1 straight to 11 with minimal warning.



++ Responsible breeders or backyard breeders? No responsible Sibe breeder calls their dogs "Huskies". To me, anyone that uses this term has not bought from a responsible breeder or completely missed the fact that no one uses the term Husky.

Both breeders worked or showed their dogs competitively? Not "champion lines" or "working lines", but actually compete their breeding animals?

Answer 6

You have to neuter your dogs I had a Doberman and a German Shepherd and they weren't neutered and I had dog fights dailey,i'm not talking about a small nip there was blood all over and don't forget males mark their territory they will pee all over the house furniture,walls,carpet,everywhere. These 2 dogs unless you neuter them are going to be big trouble.

GOOD LUCK!

Answer 7

You need to show the dog that YOU are the pack leader, not him, and that YOU will correct the puppy, not him. You need to get the lab neutered and the puppy when it is ready. There is no reason not to and you do not want to un-neutered dogs together. That is trouble waiting to happen.



When the lab does that, you need to be very stern and tell him NO and grab him for a second by the neck (correcting him).

Answer 8

Of you don't get them both neutered soon you will have problems with them both. It's hard to say without seeing them what exactly the lab is trying to do. You have to be the pack leader and correct the lab when he does this. Also if the pup does anything to provoke the lab, you have to correct the pup.

Answer 9

Puppies are excitable, lovable hooligans. They have bursts of unbelievable energy, however in order to grow they need lots of sleep. New puppies need a room where they can rest and sleep and the other dogs in the house need respite. Older dogs don’t want puppies biting their ears and chewing their necks. How would you cope with an unruly toddler twenty four hours a day? Would you be annoyed, if you had a toddler thrust upon you who pulled your hair and poked your eyes? I am sure that you would grumble.



Please don’t expect your dog to cope with an unruly puppy and to baby-sit twenty four hours a day. Supervise them for SHORT play sessions, then put your puppy in a quiet place to rest. I am not a big fan of crates, however if you do not have a utility room or a separate place where you can leave the puppy, a crate might be an alternative. Don’t expect your older dog to want to sleep with your puppy or to play with it constantly.



Your puppy will possibly need about four meals a day. Divide your other dog’s rations into four and feed it (or them) at the same time. At the outset you must ensure that your puppy cannot steal the food from your other dogs. Perhaps you can put the puppy on a lead, or create enough space to ensure that the puppy does not steal. However it is important that your other dog, or dogs knows that the puppy is not getting preferential treatment and that they are all being fed when the puppy is fed.



Give your existing dog or dogs extra attention when the puppy is resting and make them feel special.



There will be visitors, who want to see your puppy. If the doorbells rings when your puppy is with your other dogs, put your puppy into another room and tell your visitors to fuss your adult dog or dogs and provide treats for your visitors to give them, BEFORE the puppy is allowed out to greet your visitors.



Older dogs love puppies, with the proviso that YOU stop the puppy from being a pain in the bum. They don’t want a puppy being thrust upon them all of the time. If you do this any dog will object and be confused.



There are people on this site who will tell you to let them sort themselves out. If you leave them to do this, they will probably have fights when the puppy matures.