Why are my dogs aggressive and possessive after new puppy?

Question

Hiya, I currently have a 2 year old male dog who is lovely, me and my husband have just introduced a female puppy to the mix but we are having some issues. The male is very possessive of his crate and snarls and runs from the puppy and the female is very possessive of me and my husband when one of us goes to hug the others when she is next to us or on our laps, she lashes out and will bark and growl, which I can't and don't want in a dog. I would appreciate any advice. Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed | Female | unspayed | 13 lbs

Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA · Accepted Answer

I'm sorry to hear that you're having this issues! It sounds like there are a few different things going on here with both dogs, which definitely makes the situation more complicated. From your description, I can't quite tell if your male dog's crate aggression issues are directed at the puppy only, or if this is more of a general problem and he also snarls and runs from the puppy at other times as well. This is important information to help determine what may be going on so that we can make suggestions. I'm not sure how old your new puppy is, but if she is younger than six months, aggression at this age is quite uncommon and very concerning. Possessive aggression (also called resource guarding) over owners is a relatively common problem that can often be successfully treated, but you would really need an expert who can help you in person. Particularly in a young puppy, a veterinary behaviorist would be your best bet to evaluate the pup and put together a detailed plan to start working on this problem ASAP. If you want to keep both dogs, this will definitely require some professional assistance and quite a bit of time and effort for training. I would recommend asking your veterinarian to refer you to a board-certified veterinary behaviorist for some hands-on guidance.

Why are my dogs aggressive and possessive after new puppy?

Most Helpful Answer

Related Questions

Is it normal for a pregnant guinea pig to zoom after cage cleaning?

What fish dog food helps dry skin if my dog eats Science Diet?

Why is my new pet biting? Is she stressed or scared in her new home?

My small pet is limping and can't bear weight. Should I see a vet?

My pet has worsening sores and scratches. Could it be an infection?

How to keep a pet mom and her newborn babies warm and calm?

Share