Roxy not warming up to puppy

DSmitty · #1 13th March 2012, 11:46 AM

We just adopted a 6 month old male boxer puppy. We thought we were prepared but our girl Roxy is just not warming up to him at all. She doesn't snap at him but she does growl. She has very little interaction and is possesive with her toys and us. The whole reason we adopted this boy is because we thought Roxy needed a companion. It's only day 3 but that is 3 days in our 10 day grace period to decide whether he is a good fit or not.

Here are the issues. Roxy does not play with him and growls at him. She has also started pooping and peeing in the house. What can we do to make this work?

**Jan** · #2 14th March 2012, 06:31 AM

Roxy probably just needs more time. Her world has been turned upside down, by the arrival of the new dog. Make sure that Roxy gets time with you without the pup. Her going to the bathroom in the house, may be a case of her marking her territory. Not allowed, IMO. Make sure that she has lots of opportunity to go out side.

Hopefully they will soon be best friends.

srennie · #3 14th March 2012, 12:50 PM

Take lots of long walks together so she can start to see him as a companion and not an invader. Also, do not allow the new pup to have access to her things yet. She shouldn't be expected to just share everything right off the bat. Limit the puppies area in the home or keep him crated during times you are playing with Roxy. Growling isn't necessarily a bad thing...she's just telling him 'back off buddy...too soon'. Don't let her become possessive of you though. If she starts trying to guard you, move away. Make sure she knows that you are making the decisions, not her. If you want to pet the pup, you are allowed. If you want pup in the crate then that is where he'll be. If you want to pet her then you'll call her over to you. Good luck! I hope it works out!

DSmitty · #4 15th March 2012, 09:25 AM

Thank you very much for the advice. I took our new guy for a walk and left Roxy with my husband to play frisbee. Later that night she and the puppy started playing. I HAD NO IDEA how rowdy these guys can get. I nipped that real quick since we were in the house.

Thankfully, Roxy is not too possessive over us but I will definately keep that in check.

I did make the mistake of not putting her toys up but after I read that I should put them away, I did. I bought new toys.....two identical. It seems like they each want what the other has. Just like kids!

We also took them to an open field where they could just run and explore. Roxy still does not have the warm fuzzies but she's getting better.

Day 5 of 10. I have to admit, WE were having a hard time bonding with this new guy. I think because of Roxy's reaction but that too is getting better.

Thank you so much for your advice. I don't know what I would do without bw

sandy's mom · #5 16th March 2012, 06:37 AM

I agree, just give her some more time, and be sure she gets lots of time with you. She is not accustomed to a little ball of energy being on her turf.

It took Napoleon a couple of weeks when we brought Bella home.
He wasn't mean to her, he would just ignore her and move if she came near him. She is now 6 months and a ball of energy.

Good Luck!

furrykidmom · #6 18th March 2012, 09:50 AM

Sounds like it is at least promising. It took our Dalmation two weeks to start to accept our German Shepherd. And by accept I mean tolerate her presence in the same room. Eventually they became close friends.

DSmitty · #7 22nd March 2012, 09:55 AM

Well, it appears that now I have lost my best friend. 7 days into our 10 Roxy is playing with Champ, our new boy. My husband and I hardly exist! Now, I want to take Roxy for a walk by myself for me!

I am so glad it is so far working out. She doesn't sleep with him yet but she sure does play with him ALOT. She also tattles on him. The few times he has had an accident in the house, we know because Roxy walks quickly to one of us and sits down real close with a real worried look on her face.....like, "I didn't do it!"

Thanks for all the great advice. I think it worked too good

ScoutLove · #8 30th March 2012, 08:15 AM

We are kind of in the same boat. Have a 9 month old that was rather enjoying being the only dog and loving all the attention. Then two weeks ago we bring home a 6 wk old boy. Tonka never growled at him, nor has she snapped. They do get a little rough at times and we have to seperate them. There are three hooves in the house and they always want to chew on the same one so they are constantly taking it away from each other. I have not taken away all the toys...maybe I should. I do have some duplicate toys and bought some new ones that were never specifically Tonka's. Tonka will get a toy and dangle it in front of Zed's face trying to get him to latch on or chase her.

I too sometimes feel I have lost my best friend.

DSmitty · #9 3rd April 2012, 08:01 AM

[QUOTE=ScoutLove;1360699] Tonka will get a toy and dangle it in front of Zed's face trying to get him to latch on or chase her.

That is EXACTLY what Roxy does to Champ, aka (Gangster)! I think they are just playing. We have plently of toys now and they both want what the other has. Really they are just like kids!