How to stop your puppy harassing your adult dog

Introducing a new puppy into a home with an existing adult dog can be a wonderful experience that offers companionship and a lifelong bond. However, puppies’ boundless energy can sometimes overwhelm older dogs, leading to stress or irritation. To keep peace and promote respectful interaction, responsible management and training are essential.

Older dogs generally tolerate a lot from playful pups but can become unhappy if the puppy constantly harasses them or ignores cues to calm down. Understanding your dogs’ needs and setting boundaries early helps ensure both pets thrive.

1. Supervise Interactions Between Your Puppy and Adult Dog

Always keep a close eye when the puppy and adult dog are together, especially during the early days. If the puppy is overly energetic, chasing, nipping, or invading the adult dog's personal space, step in promptly. This supervision prevents escalation and helps teach the puppy appropriate limits.

Interventions can be gentle but firm, such as distracting the puppy with a toy or redirecting their attention to another activity. Supervision is also key to recognising signs of stress like growling, snapping, or retreating in the adult dog, signalling it’s time to separate them briefly.

2. Provide Separate Spaces and Safe Havens

Give your adult dog a quiet, cosy space where they can retreat whenever they need a break from the excitable puppy. This can be a separate room, a crate, or a comfy bed that the puppy is not allowed to share.

Having secure areas reduces the adult dog's stress and prevents feelings of being overwhelmed. It also teaches both dogs that some resources and spaces are individual, which fosters respect.

3. Manage Your Puppy’s Energy Levels

Puppies naturally have high energy and social needs. Ensuring your puppy has regular, appropriate exercise through play, walks, and safe interaction with other puppies or dogs of similar temperament helps expend excess energy.

A well-exercised puppy is less likely to pester the older dog constantly. Engaging in training sessions and mentally stimulating games will also redirect their enthusiasm productively.

4. Socialise and Train Your Puppy with Positive Reinforcement

Socialising your puppy with a variety of dogs and environments helps them learn respectful behaviour. Use positive reinforcement techniques—reward calmness and gentle play around your adult dog with treats, praise, or affection.

Early training for basic commands such as "leave it", "come", and "settle" equips your puppy with tools to listen and respond, which is essential for harmonious multi-dog households.

5. Redirect Puppy Behaviour When Necessary

If your puppy starts to annoy or harass your adult dog—like chewing ears, jumping, or persistent nudging—use gentle, positive redirection. Distract your puppy with a favourite toy or a treat to interrupt unwanted behaviour.

This teaches the puppy that constant attention towards the older dog is not acceptable and guides them towards more appropriate interactions.

6. Watch and Respect Your Adult Dog’s Body Language

Carefully observe the signals your adult dog gives when they have had enough. Signs like turning their head away, stiffening, growling, or snapping indicate discomfort.

Respect these cues by allowing your adult dog some peaceful downtime. Removing the puppy when these signs appear prevents tension and possible aggression, protecting both dogs’ wellbeing.

Additional Tips for a Happy Multi-Dog Home

• Balance Attention: Devote quality time to both your puppy and adult dog individually to meet their emotional needs and avoid jealousy.
• Ensure Food and Mealtime Peace: Keep your puppy away from the adult dog during meals to prevent stress or food guarding problems.
• Be Patient and Consistent: Training and adjustment take time; remain patient and consistent with rules and boundaries.

When Can Puppies Mix with Other Dogs?

Quick Answer: Puppies can generally start safely interacting with vaccinated dogs around 12 weeks old, once vaccination protocols allow.

It’s important to ensure your puppy has received their core vaccinations before introducing them to unfamiliar dogs to protect against infectious diseases like parvovirus and distemper. Controlled socialisation during this window helps your puppy develop good social skills and reduces the risk of behavioural issues later.

Gradual introductions with calm, well-behaved dogs help teach your puppy appropriate play and communication skills, supporting harmony with your adult dog and others.

What Do Puppies Need Before Selling or Bringing Home?

Quick Answer: Puppies should receive initial vaccinations, deworming treatments, a health check by a vet, and ideally be at least 8 weeks old before being sold or brought home.

This ensures that puppies are healthy and have a good start to life outside their litter environment. Reputable breeders and sellers provide this care prior to sale and supply you with vaccination records and advice on ongoing care.

Responsible adoption or purchasing from reputable breeders protects animal welfare and supports ethical breeding practices.

Where to Get a Puppy in the UK

For those considering adding a puppy to their family, finding a responsible and trusted source is crucial. The Pets4Homes puppies marketplace features verified breeders and rescue puppies across the UK, providing detailed information, health credentials, and ongoing support options.

Always visit breeders or shelters in person, ask questions about the puppy's health and background, and ensure you’re prepared for the lifelong commitment involved in puppy ownership.

Conclusion

Successfully integrating a playful puppy with an adult dog requires understanding, patience, and active management. Supervision, respecting your adult dog’s needs, training for boundaries, and providing individual spaces are key.

By following these strategies, you’ll promote a happy household where your dogs can build a strong, respectful bond that will last their lifetimes.