Signs of Jealousy When You Get a New Puppy

Territorial Marking

• Think of a jealous canine's behavior as being heavily territorial rather than purely envious. When a new puppy encroaches onto an older dog's cozy and familiar turf, then the confusion of the whole situation may lead the latter to feel uncertain and threatened. All of this is new and weird, and doggie just isn't into it. A new puppy may cause your dog to feel like he has to reestablish what is already his own. One way in which dogs often do this, unfortunately, is by marking key spots of the household with urine. By leaving their urine scents in areas of your home, they gain ownership -- if only just in their sweet canine brains.

Household Havoc

• The unfamiliarity of a new puppy can make a dog feel stressed out. If your older dog just isn't getting as much attention as he was before the newbie arrived, he may become frustrated and turn to destructive behaviors -- whether chewing on the easy chair in your den, eating inedible objects or digging out massive, unsightly craters in your garden. Dogs aren't immune to jealousy, and if your dog is feeling jealous over his lack of attention, even the attention of doing something "wrong" may be appealing to him -- poor thing.

Aggression

• If an older dog behaves in an aggressive manner any time he thinks that a wee pup is about to "invade" his space, then his territorial and jealous feelings are definitely rising to the surface. Because of this danger, it is crucial to never allow the puppy and the dog to be together without close monitoring. First impressions are important. If a dog hasn't met a new puppy yet, it may be smart to bring them together in an "impartial" space -- think your local park, for example. If your pooch doesn't feel ownership of something, then he won't feel as threatened by the new addition. Some examples of aggressive "jealous" behavior are barking, chasing, growling and perhaps even biting. Never put either of your dogs in a potentially compromising or hazardous situation. When they interact, make sure they both sport comfortable leashes.

Body Language

• Always closely observe your dog -- and puppy -- when they are in close proximity to each other. Keep your eyes wide open for any signs of potential hostility or jealousy. Some signs of a threatened and jealous canine include tense body motions, prickly fur over the back, extended staring and exposed teeth. If your dog is engaging in any of those body language clues, he probably is feeling worried about his territory -- and is jealous as a result.

Resource Guarding

• A dog may also "resource guard" in the presence of a new pup. If your older dog growls and tenses up every time the little one even walks in the direction of his food bowl, then he's feeling pretty protective of his meal. This behavior may not be jealousy, per se, but rather the fear of something precious being taken away from him -- the root of many jealousies.