New puppy - resident dog not happy about it

[Popmar1]

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Hi everyone, we have a 3 year old lab who is a lovely girl with one issue and that's food aggression. We have worked with her for a long time and can safely feed her now but she's weary of other animals. Anyway, so we introduced her and new puppy (8week old lab) outside of the house. Resident dog didn't take much interest and went about doing her business on the short walk. We came inside and she had a good sniff of the puppy then subtle behaviours appeared (licking lips, whale eye, turning her head) generally avoiding puppy. Puppy hasn't been that interested in her. A few things have happened though. Puppy was sleeping in his bed and she walked over to him, puppy rolled onto his back and then resident dog began to growl turn her head away then moved about a foot away and lay down. This morning I put puppy in his crate while I prepared the food, well puppy began to cry in his crate (not used to it yet) and resident dog started to growl really deeply I firmly said 'enough!' And led her away into a different room to eat. Just now puppy was asleep in his crate and the resident dog sleeping a few feet away from it. Puppy started to cry and resident dog began the deep growl again (all because he was crying?) generally anytime he walks in her direction she growls which I expected but not because he is crying? he's only been here a couple of days and I understand this won't happen overnight but I'm a little scared I'm not approaching the situation right, anytime he does go towards her I distract him or lift him away as I, scared it'll get out of hand. Advice would be greatly appreciated x

 

[Raven oaktree]

Please never stop your dog from growling a growl is a very valuable warning. A growl means I've had enough and I'm warning you . A puppy will understand and will learn not to mess with a growling dog . But if you punish a dog for growling they will stop growling and that where 'bites out of no where' comes from . You have taken away the dog's ability to warn and the dog's voice. You must allow a dog to tell you when they are unhappy and respect it by backing off

 

[theanchorage]

In my experience an adult dog with a good temperament generally and well socialised will never do a puppy any real harm but please note this may not apply to animals who have had difficult upbringings or dogs in a pack situation. Normally the adult dog will warn a puppy by growling and then punching the puppy with mouth closed if the pup hasn't taken the hint, when the puppy goes into a submissive position with or without squealing, the adult should walk away "job done". I think in your situation then I would hold your nerve and watch very carefully, there will probably be some physical interaction as your puppy finds his feet and tries to work out his place in the house, as you know she has food agression then I would suggest they are not together when either is fed, maybe you can put the bitch in another room with a treat when he is eating so she doesn't feel left out. It is always a bit nerve wracking when introducing a new puppy but the chances are that they will be good friends in time