Expert: Alan J Turner, SATS LL1 - 4/18/2007

Question
The other day we brought home an 8 week year old Black lab, I have two older dogs both lab mixes one's 7 years old the others 6. They both are acting very odd since we brought the puppy home like growling and running away when she comes around, also then won't drink out of the bowel after her.The weirdest is that my 6 years old yellow lab dingo mix is drooling and foaming at the mouth around her

please help

Answer
Dear Ryan, Thanks for the interesting questions!

As strange as it sounds, the older dogs are not quite sure  about the puppy. They are frightened by him. This might pass with time but there are some things you can do to help.

Attach a leash to the puppy so you can prevent the pup from constantly harassing the dogs. Don't coax them (the older dogs)to interact. Let it happen on their terms. Don't correct them when they growl. Growling is their legal way of communicating to the puppy. The puppy should back off when they growl. If he doesn't, kindly remove him.

It's not uncommon for an older dog to correct a puppy.  Normal, older dogs won't usually injure a puppy-even if they correct with a nip. I haven't met yours so I can't comment on their intentions.

Pay no attention to their odd water- bowl behaviors. except clean the bowl and change the water very often. They'll drink when they become thirsty!

Drooling is an involuntary behavior in response to the sight, smells, actions, etcetera of an 8-week old puppy. The puppy reminds your Yellow/Dingo mix of nursing when he was a pup. He drools in anticipation of receiving milk from a nursing bitch. The process is classical conditioning. It will cease soon!
For an in-depth explanation, visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classical_conditioning

If the older dogs are constantly growling or consistently running away a week from today, seek out a local trainer. Visit http://apdt.com to find one near you. Have fun!