New pup in the house and all of a sudden.....Need help!

[Gunner's Daddy]

Gunner just grew a big ole attitude. Hasn't been listening well. Always grumpy. Doesn't get as excited about anything. He almost seems depressed/upset with me. He loves the new pup though. He's been a great big brother to him thus far.

I guess I'm feeling a little crappy since we have always been so tight. He's always listened and obeyed so well. All of a sudden, it's a battle to get him to listen to simple commands.

I need some help gang. Is this behavior to be expected with a new pup in the house and if so, how can I get things back in order? What's going on with him? Any help is appreciated. Been really bummed about Gunner.

Aloha, Dave

[Kellee]

Originally Posted by Gunner's Daddy

Gunner just grew a big ole attitude. Hasn't been listening well. Always grumpy. Doesn't get as excited about anything. He almost seems depressed/upset with me. He loves the new pup though. He's been a great big brother to him thus far.

I guess I'm feeling a little crappy since we have always been so tight. He's always listened and obeyed so well. All of a sudden, it's a battle to get him to listen to simple commands.

I need some help gang. Is this behavior to be expected with a new pup in the house and if so, how can I get things back in order? What's going on with him? Any help is appreciated. Been really bummed about Gunner.

Aloha, Dave

The dynamics have drastically changed for him. I think even though he "likes" the pup, he now has the added responsibility of being a leader to the pup. That may change as the pup gets older, but he surely does for now. I believe even though "you" are the ultimate one in charge...the pecking order with the dogs is Gunner....then the puppy. Until he feels comfortable in his new role...maybe he will be put off so to speak. I know my dominant dog was the BIGGEST grouch when the pack was developing its order. I have four dogs and could see it happen. I mean, I used to tell the family.. " Leave Jagger alone, he looks upset", just from the expression on his face. It was a hard time for all the dogs. He isn't so moody now for sure. Maybe yours is experiencing something like this.

[Gunner's Daddy]

Originally Posted by Kellee

The dynamics have drastically changed for him. I think even though he "likes" the pup, he now has the added responsibility of being a leader to the pup. That may change as the pup gets older, but he surely does for now. I believe even though "you" are the ultimate one in charge...the pecking order with the dogs is Gunner....then the puppy. Until he feels comfortable in his new role...maybe he will be put off so to speak. I know my dominant dog was the BIGGEST grouch when the pack was developing its order. I have four dogs and could see it happen. I mean, I used to tell the family.. " Leave Jagger alone, he looks upset", just from the expression on his face. It was a hard time for all the dogs. He isn't so moody now for sure. Maybe yours is experiencing something like this.

Kellee, I can't tell you how comforting it is to hear that. I suspected it, and I would really love to believe it too. Thank you for taking the time to let me know about your situation. It means a lot to me. I hope this thing will begin to work itself out if this is the case. Mahalo!

[forever_pit]

How old is Gunner now?
He could be reaching that bratty stage where they like to act like they have forgotten everything they have been taught.

When I brought my new pup home I didn't have any of these problems with Dylan, which surprised me because he tends to be uber-dominant.
If anything Dylan was waay better with the pup than I had imagined. Perhaps this was due in part to the fact that I keep my dogs separate for the vast majority of the time?
Do you try to give Gunner any one-on-one time or is the pup always there?

[Gunner's Daddy]

Originally Posted by forever_pit

How old is Gunner now?
He could be reaching that bratty stage where they like to act like they have forgotten everything they have been taught.

When I brought my new pup home I didn't have any of these problems with Dylan, which surprised me because he tends to be uber-dominant.
If anything Dylan was waay better with the pup than I had imagined. Perhaps this was due in part to the fact that I keep my dogs separate for the vast majority of the time?
Do you try to give Gunner any one-on-one time or is the pup always there?

Gunner's about 15 months now and he is doing exactly what you're talking about. Acting like he's forgotten everything he's been taught. Shane-nah & I were talking it over last night and I was telling her that he was close to or in his teens and that the addition of the puppy may have spurred an added sense of responsibility. Maybe the added stress is affecting him.

As far as dominance, Gunner rolls over for pup. He will wake up and immediately go check to make sure Ajax is ok. He will grab toys and try to entice Ajax to play. I'm amazed. All of us live together in the house, and aside from feeding time, the dogs are always together. Gunner doesn't seem to want to do much on his own right now. He wants to be around Ajax. Perhaps I should do some alone time with him?