Training a new puppy with an existing adult dog

[Madisonhunt]

Hello! Apologies this will be a long post!

I’m getting a Doberman puppy in February and I have an adult (7 year old) neutered male lab mix. My current dog is nervous and seems to have anxiety. When we are home he reacts to any sound he hears from outside the house. He is not aggressive but he growls or barks at noises. He is nervous when he first meets people (only at the house). He seems to be better meeting people in public environments. I have had him since he was a puppy and I can’t pin point an event that would have caused him to be like this. I am by no means a professional trainer but he is a wonderful dog other than his anxious behavior. I have just never known how to train it out of him. I have tried distractions with toys but he is so focused and hyper aware of the noises around him that it’s very hard to get him to ignore it.

I followed with this because I am worried that my puppy will learn this behavior from my adult dog. Is there any way I can train her to not have the same nervous and anxious energy that he has? I feel like if she learns this energy it will only amplify his behavior and they will feed off of each other, in turn causing a larger issue.
Any tips or advice would be amazing! I am lining up a trainer for her because I would like to do better as an owner and give her the best foundation possible. She will be my first Doberman and I don’t want her to have the same anxiety.

Also, I work from home. Would a play pen be a good idea for when she’s not in her crate while I work? I would like for her to be able to play but still be monitored while I am working.

 

[JanS]

Normally a dog reacts to things the way a human does so it's best to stay calm and confidant. Set up an early routine when your girl comes home so she has some structure to get used to.

I normally keep the existing dog separated for a day or two in gated rooms, just so they can get to know each other through the gate.

Would a play pen be a good idea for when she’s not in her crate while I work? I would like for her to be able to play but still be monitored while I am working.

That's another case for gating in a room or two (preferably no carpet) comes in handy.

 

[Ravenbird]

I used an X-pen (exercise pen) when I couldn't keep my eye on my puppy but wanted her to experience household activity. I could put it in the office or in the living room or between LR and kitchen so she be part of the activity but not under foot. It was easy to fold down or out to make it bigger or smaller.

Some dogs with anxiety like your 7 year old, it's just them and their quirks. Depending on what noises you refer to, if your puppy has good nerves she *probably* won't follow suit (I'm thinking a harmless noise like a washing machine, she will learn that that is not worth of getting upset over). Maybe look around, and then be like "what's the fuss about?" But if it's someone knocking on the door, or yelling on the street, this is something Dobermans will get aroused over and she will likely join in by growling or barking.

Sounds like you are thinking things out and making plans, which is such a good thing! There is also a good chance that the new puppy will be good for your older dog as a permanent distraction (haha, never ending play) and may make him less inclined to focus on his noise phobias.

 

[Ukesox]

My guess it’ll depend on the nature of your Dobe pup & how you react ( calm & positive) as to how it’ll be affected by your anxious lab. indoors.
I would definitely advise walking them separately until the pup has grown up.
Play pen is a great idea to keep the pup contained ( we used to have her crate within the bounds of the pen)
When it comes to play though in my experience they only play when there’s another dog involved or a human‘s interacting with them...Left alone to their own devices they are super fast destroying machines.

 

[Cferg]

I believe if two dogs are similar temperment on the spectrum, then they can feed off each other. I don’t think a golden retriever living with a Doberman will start acting like a Doberman. But I think two nerve bags living with each other will be worse than if they lived alone.

 

[Madisonhunt]

Normally a dog reacts to things the way a human does so it's best to stay calm and confidant. Set up an early routine when your girl comes home so she has some structure to get used to.

I normally keep the existing dog separated for a day or two in gated rooms, just so they can get to know each other through the gate.

That's another case for gating in a room or two (preferably no carpet) comes in handy.

Unfortunately my whole house is carpet Except for the kitchen and bathrooms. I will definitely keep them separated though.

 

[Madisonhunt]

I used an X-pen (exercise pen) when I couldn't keep my eye on my puppy but wanted her to experience household activity. I could put it in the office or in the living room or between LR and kitchen so she be part of the activity but not under foot. It was easy to fold down or out to make it bigger or smaller.

Some dogs with anxiety like your 7 year old, it's just them and their quirks. Depending on what noises you refer to, if your puppy has good nerves she *probably* won't follow suit (I'm thinking a harmless noise like a washing machine, she will learn that that is not worth of getting upset over). Maybe look around, and then be like "what's the fuss about?" But if it's someone knocking on the door, or yelling on the street, this is something Dobermans will get aroused over and she will likely join in by growling or barking.

Sounds like you are thinking things out and making plans, which is such a good thing! There is also a good chance that the new puppy will be good for your older dog as a permanent distraction (haha, never ending play) and may make him less inclined to focus on his noise phobias.

The X pen seems like an option I would be interested in. I’ll look into it!

he still has so much energy so I think having a buddy to play with will be good for him and as you said, a good distraction from outside noises (hopefully).

 

[Madisonhunt]

My guess it’ll depend on the nature of your Dobe pup & how you react ( calm & positive) as to how it’ll be affected by your anxious lab. indoors.
I would definitely advise walking them separately until the pup has grown up.
Play pen is a great idea to keep the pup contained ( we used to have her crate within the bounds of the pen)
When it comes to play though in my experience they only play when there’s another dog involved or a human‘s interacting with them...Left alone to their own devices they are super fast destroying machines.

That’s great to know! I will definitely be looking into mental stimulation toys for her to hopefully keep her entertained.