Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Melissa and Franklin! on April 15, 2011 at 9:49pm

She needs to be able to establish her role as alpha and as long as she is not hurting the puppy I would go ahead and let her growl and nip. She will get used to the puppy with time, make sure to have an area where you keep the puppy (i.e. crate or behind a baby gate) and spend lots of one on one time with your older corgi. I have had a couple of corgi pups come over to my house and Franklin has been less than thrilled, but once he established his role in the pack and the puppy respected that, he was more than happy to play with her. It just takes time, think weeks not hours.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Becky S on April 15, 2011 at 10:24pm

Brodie did the same with Lilly the first couple of days.  I quickly got Lilly some toys of her own, and by the thrid day he was puching his bone over to her.  But while she might come near him, she never tries to take his chew / toy away and they really get along great.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Gromit, Sparkle, and Doug on April 15, 2011 at 10:52pm

Sounds pretty normal.  Intervene gently and only if you must.  Our mini-wiener dog, Holly, bossed puppy Gromit around a lot with growling, the occasional nip, and Gromit caught on quickly.  Gromit is now nearly three times her size but he still respects her space and she still gives him "what for" if he gets pushy.  It's actually pretty funny to see a 12lb wiener dog bowl over a 32lb Corgi but she does it.

 

Gromit learned pretty quick that Holly's collar, ears, and tail are not chew toys.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Tauna and Kota on April 16, 2011 at 12:30am

Absolutely adorable picture and story Gromit and Doug :D

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Tauna and Kota on April 16, 2011 at 12:45am

Gromit and Doug's advice of "intervene gently and only if you must" is great advice. You will know when it escalates to the point that intervening is best. She is just showing the puppy that she is higher in the chain than he is at this point. Everything should be ok as long as there is no serious fighting and such. And, like i said, you will definitely know when that is happening. However, if she doesn't warm up to the puppy and if the growling and nipping don't stop after a couple/few weeks. There is something wrong, and maybe your older corgi is having serious aggression issues... But, I wouldn't worry about that at all until a couple/few weeks come...Also, Melissa and Franklin!'s advice of "make sure to have and area where you keep the puppy" is great. Your older corgi needs a little breathing time without the puppy interfering with every little thing. "Spend lots of one on one time with your older corgi" is also great advice. Your older corgi needs lots of it. She will be more accepting to the new puppy more quickly if she KNOWS that the new puppy isn't there to take you away from her. I also agree with "think weeks, not hours". It may take a few days, or it may take a few weeks for your older corgi to completely adjust to the new puppy. You will need to continue to give each puppy quality one on one time even in the future. I like the idea Becky S brought up about getting the new puppy toys/chews/bones of his own. That way your older corgi won't have to be so territorial over those things. Is the older one guarding her food? Where do they sleep? What kind of area do you keep the puppy in when you are gone? Good luck! Hugs and corgi kisses from me and Kota :D

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Bella & Hayes on April 16, 2011 at 8:05pm

Thanks for the super great advice everybody! I feel much more comfortable about things now since hearing all of your perspectives :) Thank you.

• ▶ Reply