Older pit bull does NOT like the new puppy

by Lesley
(CA)

I have a 7 year old female pit who we've had since she was six weeks old. She is our kids' dog and our inside dog. She is the most wonderful dog with my two little girls. The problem is, she hates other dogs, in particular puppies.

We just got a new puppy. I am keeping them apart and trying to give lots of attention to the older one. I know that she would bite it for sure if I let the puppy run up to her.

I plan for this new puppy to be an outside dog and still let our older dog have the inside to herself...but the puppy is sleeping inside a crate in the house for now. Any advice or tip on how to make her like it or not bite?

Gale's Reply

Hi Lesley:

I can't imagine why you would bring a puppy into your home knowing full well your dog hates other dogs. To be frank, this seems like a reckless decision--a disaster waiting to happen.

You can't make a dog-aggressive dog like another dog just because you've decided to add another dog to your household. For as long as you have both dogs, you'll need to be vigilant that they don't cross paths.

That you intend to make the puppy into an 'outside dog' doesn't help matters in my view. It may be easier to keep them separated at that point. But a dog that lives its life outside is never really part of the family. And depending on the circumstances, it will be more vulnerable to disease, theft, predators or some other mishap.

I'm guessing this isn't what you wanted to hear nor what you were expecting. But I believe your best course of action is to acknowledge your mature pit's nature. Love her for the dog she is and accept the limitations that go along with that.

In other words, find the puppy a new home--one where it can live safely indoors with its humans.