We just got a new puppy, and our older dog has been so aggressive and territorial over me. He’s tried to attack the puppy multiple times, and honestly, I’m terrified for the little guy’s safety. Anyone else had this happen with their dogs when introducing a new one?
Yeah, I had a similar issue when we got our second dog. My older one was super possessive about me and would get all aggressive if the new puppy came near me. We had to separate them for a while until they got used to each other.
@Brianna
Same here! It took a while, but separating them really helped. We did a lot of training and slowly introduced them after that.
It sounds like a classic case of possession aggression. You might want to try the ‘Nothing In Life Is Free’ training method. It worked for my dog when he started acting out over space and people.
CanineHandler said:
It sounds like a classic case of possession aggression. You might want to try the ‘Nothing In Life Is Free’ training method. It worked for my dog when he started acting out over space and people.
I’ve heard of that method. How exactly does it work? Does it take long to see results?
@Barbara
Basically, you make your dog work for everything they want—food, attention, etc. It’s all about you controlling the resources. It takes time, but it helps them understand their place.
I’d recommend gating off your older dog in another room for now, just until the puppy settles in and gets used to the space. It’s a little tough, but worth it to keep both dogs safe.
smart1 said:
I’d recommend gating off your older dog in another room for now, just until the puppy settles in and gets used to the space. It’s a little tough, but worth it to keep both dogs safe.
Good idea! I’ve been keeping mine separated during feeding time and playtime, and it’s helped them both calm down.
If you’re concerned about their safety, it might be a good idea to get some professional training, especially if Samson’s aggression keeps escalating. They can help with managing territorial behavior.
Lauraliam said:
If you’re concerned about their safety, it might be a good idea to get some professional training, especially if Samson’s aggression keeps escalating. They can help with managing territorial behavior.
Definitely. I did some obedience training with mine, and it made a huge difference. The trainer even gave me some one-on-one sessions to help with the aggression.
We had to do something similar with our dog too. It’s all about managing their environment and giving them space to adjust. Try giving your older dog more attention when the puppy is around, so he doesn’t feel left out.
@Hazel
Oh, that’s smart! I’ve been focusing so much on the puppy that I didn’t think Samson might be feeling neglected. I’ll definitely try that.