What Do I Do if My Dog Hates My New Puppy?
You’ve brought home a tumbling ball of fur and you’re delighted. Your new puppy yaps, flops, and explores with ease, but there’s one problem with your bundle of joy: Your other cat or dog hates the new addition.
What do you do when your reigning Fido or Fluffy can’t stand the puppy? Well, it all depends… Which pet is cuter?
Just kidding!
Always let your first animal know they still matter.
Siblings often face personal crises when new babies show up, and adding a cute puppy to your pack creates the same feelings of insecurity and being left behind for your first pet. Make it clear that your first animal still matters with lots of attention, praise, petting and love. Don’t spend all your time adoring the puppy, and your first pet will feel less left out—and therefore less resentful.
Teach the puppy proper manners.
Puppies, like toddlers, don’t intuitively know what good manners are. They cross boundaries all the time and have to be gently, but clearly and firmly, corrected. When your puppy does something that bothers your other animal, correct them. This will prove to every animal in the house that you are the leader, and shows your first pet that you are looking out for them.
Offer your first pet a safe haven.
Everyone loves toddlers, but sometimes we need a break. Give your first dog or cat a special place where they can be alone and recoup. Whether it’s a crate or a cat tree, this place should be a sacred space the puppy learns is forbidden. A place just for them will help your dog or cat know they matter and have unique privileges, and it will also offer them breathing room.
Make interacting with the puppy rewarding.
Don’t force your first pet to interact with the puppy, but do offer rewards when they choose to pay attention or play. Give your first animal small treats and showers of praise when they are near the puppy. Make play time fun and invite your first pet to join in with lots more praise and treats.
It’s not the end of the world if First Fido or First Fluffy doesn’t love the puppy on day one. With time, patience, praise and learned manners, your pack with find a good balance with its new member. If you ever get stuck with behavior issues, call us at LazyPaw Animal Hospitals, the best animal hospital and pet clinic in Frisco!
