Teaching good puppy manners or being an old grump?

[rosefarm]

Well we got a new puppy -- of the dreaded lab variety see pic below

 

 

Actually his momma's an english pointer, I'm going on a guess that the dad's a lab.

 

Lily has taken to him quite well, he's just turned 12 weeks this week and I have noticed that she's getting a bit grumpier with Chance. When is the age when most pups lose their puppy license. Is this a bit young or is she behaving properly.

 

I noticed that the land-shark mode has kicked in this past week. The warnings are low growls - which Chance responds to by immediately backing off. She did go off a bit more vocally once, but there was no blood, and stopped at a warning from me.

 

 

obviously with the picture she does like him, she cleans him and does instigate play. The warning growls is just a bit new for her.

 

Thanks for your input

--Denise

[Angie H]

Hi -

 

Congratulations on your new addition.

 

Growling and in some cases, correction bites are quite normal between adult dogs and puppies. It is how the puppy learns what is acceptable behavior with other dogs.

 

I have not SEEN the interaction, but what you have describes sounds pretty typical to me.

 

There are dogs that do not tolerate puppies, and will try to hurt them. I do not leave them unattended regardless, as you never know what may happen in your absence.

 

He's a cutie

[rosefarm]

Thanks, we've had him since he was 8 weeks and it seems as though there has been a sudden change in behavior. It is not in the unacceptable realm - still appropriate, just not as accomodating - where before she would seek out play and instigate it, now she's grumping at him. I was wondering if she just views him as too big now to play like that.

 

On the other hand, all 4 of my dogs are now sneezing much more then usual, so maybe, much like myself she's grumpy because she has a cold.

 

Do dogs get colds?