What to Do with Dogs That Are Aggressive Toward Your New Puppy

New puppies can be a joy to dog owners but a threat to your other dogs. The reaction of any dog to a new puppy can differ greatly, from extreme happiness to aggression. If dogs you own already are reacting aggressively to your new puppy, there are some steps you can take to make the transition easier for all involved--you, your dogs, and your new puppy.

  1. Introduce Them Slowly

    • When introducing your new puppy to your other dogs, pick a neutral location such as a park. Do not introduce them for the first time in your home or in your backyard, as your current dogs will likely be territorial about "their" space. Keep all dogs on leashes and have someone else handle the new puppy while you handle your dogs. Slowly walk them toward each other. If your dogs start to react negatively to the sight of your new puppy, take a step back and go more slowly. Give your dogs treats for acting calmly around your new puppy. Once the dogs have met in the middle, allow them to sniff each other. Back off if your dogs show any signs of aggression. This process will be quick and easy for friendly dogs but may take a while for aggressive dogs.

    Pay Equal Attention

    • Getting a new puppy is exciting, and many people make a fuss over the puppy while forgetting that their other dogs need attention too. If your dogs see that your puppy is getting all the attention while they are left out, they will not think positively of the puppy. Give everyone equal amounts of attention so your dogs will realize that the new puppy does not mean they have been forgotten about.

    Build Positive Associations

    • A good way to build a positive associations with your new puppy in the minds of your dogs is to give them treats only when the new puppy is around. The idea is to make your dogs believe that the new puppy equals treats galore for them. You can also feed your dogs and your puppy on either side of a closed door, so that they can smell each other while they are eating, thereby making the dogs associate the new puppy's scent with dinnertime.

    Manage the Situation

    • Management is crucial until you can trust your dogs to be around your new puppy without reacting aggressively. Buy a couple of pet gates and gate your dogs in a separate area from your puppy when you cannot watch them.

    Consult a Behaviorist

    • For extremely aggressive dogs, consider using a behaviorist. Animal behaviorists are trained to watch for signals dogs are sending out indicating stress and will be able to come up with a plan to change the aggressive behavior of your dogs toward your new puppy. Remember that dog trainers are not the same as dog behaviorists. See resources for ideas about finding a behaviorist.