Puppy problems!

So my roommate just got a puppy and will be bringing it to the apartment this Thursday. Kipper is territorial of my room, possessive with some toys and food aggressive when the situation presents itself.  I need advice on how to make this situation go as smoothly as possible. The puppy is a 5 month old and not neutered.  I plan to have them meet outside the apartment in a field. But as far as in the apartment goes and overall interaction what should I do?

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Permalink Reply by Anna Morelli on October 28, 2014 at 9:21pm

You may be looking for a new roommate or a new apartment..... this kind of issue should have been sorted out before adding a new puppy into your shared space, particularly in light of what you describe.

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Permalink Reply by Marie Ploof on October 29, 2014 at 11:52am

My roommate mentioned it once and I told her Kipper would have issues. He has lived well with other dogs in the past but they were over one year old. Moving or Finding a new roommate is not an option. She went home and impuls bought the puppy from a pet store.

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Permalink Reply by Jane on October 29, 2014 at 9:14am

Meet on neutral ground and walk them back together. Pick up any toys or food items beforehand. At home, all interactions should be supervised at all times. Keep a leash on at least one of the dogs so you can grab them if needed. Separate them with baby gates routinely so they can have some alone time. Do not give treats or food to both at the same time, and feed separately.

But as Anna said, this may be a recipe for disaster. Have you ever tried having another dog in the apartment...?

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Permalink Reply by Marie Ploof on October 29, 2014 at 11:44am

Kipper has lived with 2 other dogs before. He calms down after awhile but since this is a puppy I'm not sure how he'll be. My roommate was well aware of Kipprrs issues and the puppy wasn't really discussed more than an inquiry. I got a text from her while she was home sayig she had got a puppy. This is my apartment while im at college so noving or finding a new roommate are not an option.

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Permalink Reply by Vicky Hay on October 29, 2014 at 2:22pm

Get a crate and train one of the dogs to stay in it. Never leave them together where they can have at each other when you're not there.

Obedience-train the roommate...oh, sorry, the new dog right now. Do not wait and do not dork around trying to do it without obedience-training classes.

Feed the dogs separately, and see to it that the puppy does not try to raid Kipper's dish, even when he's finished eating -- don't let the pup even lick up any stray molecules from the empty dish or the floor around it. Weirdly this has worked wonders with Cassie and Ruby's competition issues. Train both dogs to "sit" before they get anything: food, treats, doggy-walk, whatever. Make it clear that the humans are the bosses and the dogs have no chance of ever acquiring the throne. This also is surprisingly helpful.

But don't panic until you see what happens. I brought a greyhound into a house occupied by a German shepherd whose dearest, most heartfelt wish was to rid the world of other dogs. We introduced the two, both muzzled, on the sidewalk outside the house. After a brief get-acquainted period, we walked them into the house together (still muzzled). When the Ger shep's homicidal impulse subsided -- quicker than I expected -- we unmuzzled first the grey and then the shepherd. They lived happily ever after as best buddies. The shepherd was female (very dominant) and the grey was male (a cream puff) -- and o'course different dogs behave differently.

And Marie...it's your apartment. It has a door. Practice saying "good-bye" in front of the mirror until you can bring yourself to open the door and say "good-bye" to her face. Roommates are a dime a dozen. Think "Craig's List."