MaryMurray

Hi Mary - You posted to the course members area, so I could not respond directly. 

When I brought my now 2yo GSD - Mica - home at 8-weeks my then almost 11yo GSD - Abby - hated her. Being well balanced and gentle by nature, Abby never did more than snap or growl on occasion. For reasons known only to her, Mica kept going back to bug Abby. Like your dogs, my dogs spend their days with a constantly shifting group of other dogs. The puppy had plenty of opportunity to socialize and play with dogs of all ages, including several young pups. But, she kept going up to Abby, grabbing at her, barking at her, pawing, etc. Then when Abby gave her "the look" she'd flop on the ground, roll over and display her belly - submissive. At home Abby was allowed on the couch, but Mica had yet to earn that privilege. Mica would stand next to the couch and whine at Abby until I finally distracted her. At the farm, at the park, wherever else she went; Mica was respectful toward other older dogs, but not Abby. I worried about this because by this time Abby's health was declining and I did not want her bothered. But, there didn't seem to be anything I could do to alter Mica's "obnoxiousness". Abby died last January and although I have had and continue to have other adult dogs in the house, Mica has never shown the same disrespect and/or obliviousness toward another dog.

 I used to wonder about what created this behavior and finally reached a very unscientific conclusion: dogs are weird! In all seriousness, I wonder if the fact Abby was such a special dog had a lot to do with the behavior. Like your dog, Buddy, Abby was always my "go to" dog for showing children how to behave around dogs. She went everywhere with me and, as you probably already know from reading my posts, she saved my life and the lives of another person. She was a very special dog. I never once saw her show any sign of dominance or aggression toward a person or dog - at least not without powerful provocation. [She once bit a man who tried to attack me] The other adult dogs Mica played with would seriously put her in her place, but Abby never did more than raise her lip or give a growl. I wonder if Buddy is just the same type dog - very mellow, very balanced, very kind, and very slow to anger. He talks to Baldwin, but perhaps what Baldwin needs is firmer discipline from a dog. Anyway, that was all I could ever come with for explaining Mica's attitude toward Abby.

Since I'm not a course member, I couldn't reply to your thread with the above subject.  But I want you to know that I know how you feel with the old dog/young dog.  I have a 1 & 1/2 year old Mini Aussie who constantly pesters our 12-13ish year old GSD.  Even when she's trying to sleep, it's "Come on, play with me! Puuullleeeeeeaaaseee??? Come on, play!!!"  The puppy will bite her ears, paw at her, even play tug of war with her tail!  Jasmine, (the "Grandma" as my mom calls her) will put up with it for a while, but when she's had enough, she's had ENOUGH.  And she will let the pup know that she's done putting up with her shinanigans! 

Since I'm assuming your little one is smaller and, according to your post, more subbmissive, I'm gonna say that you shouldn't worry about him bugging your older dog.  If he has had enough, he will let the puppy know, in a number of possible ways.  It might start with a growl, (leave me alone), a bark (Hey, I said GO AWAY), then getting up and growling/barking (HEY, enough.), and if the pup still won't listen (puppys are totally clueless), the older dog will do what it takes to phisically say "I wasn't kidding.  Go away."

So don't worry, older dogs have had to put up with annoying puppies since, well, forever.  ;)

I wish every city had more rescue and shelters for all pets. Where I live "Garland, TX." has lots of space for something like this. If someone would build a dog rehab/no kill shelter here, I'd volunteer my time everyday, and get others to volunteer time as well.

Mary,

I was just reading in the paper about a puppy mill fire down in the Ozark's here in Missouri.  I'm pretty sure that there were a lot of GWP's, that and Springer Spaniels.  They have been transported here in the Kansas City area.

Sorry I don't have the paper with me, I was eating in a restaurant and read it.  It was in the Kansas City Starr.