A Pawfun Blog readers says: I have a Pomeranian/Shih Tzu cross and a Yellow Lab. The Lab is 10 weeks and the other is 12 weeks old. The little one is so scared of the Lab! What can we do?
Holistic animal trainer Anna Bettina Johnson of Happy Healthy Pup says: Often times, when we bring home a new, smaller puppy it can be overwhelmed by everything, including a bigger dog that already lives in the home.
In order to ensure that everyone feels safe and has a positive experience, it’s best to take things slowly and set your new puppy up for success!
Play It Safe
For the first little while that your puppy is home, set up baby gates to keep the Lab from overwhelming the new, smaller puppy. Praise them for sniffing or interacting through the gate, but be sure to let them do it on their own terms.
You can take the baby gate down for small, interactive sessions between the two, but be sure that the Lab is not clobbering the puppy or playing too rough. And watch for signs that your shih-tzu puppy is scared or nervous. If either of these scenarios happens, give them both a break and put the baby gate back up. Always praise them when the play sessions are going well, and never force them to interact.
Happy and Confident
It’s not uncommon for little dogs to have fear issues, after all, they are small and the world is an awfully big place! Start your puppy in a positive puppy pre-school right away. Some dog training schools offer puppy classes specifically for little dogs! Help her build her confidence and socialize with other dogs right away to ensure that her experiences are all positive!
If you are still struggling with her fearful behavior, you can visit FearfulDogs.com for more information on how to help her.