Expert: Delores Beck - 1/27/2009

Question
We have a 6 year old male Cocker, Jazz,  and just two weeks ago brought home a little girl all brown named Zora. These two will not get along. Jazz is the sweetest dog but never thought that he would not tolerate a little puppy girl.

Answer
What exactly is Jazz doing?  What does "not getting along" mean exactly?  How old is Zora?

The first thing to do is make sure Jazz is getting enough attention and enough time without the puppy annoying him.

The best way to help them co-exist peacefully is to walk them together..short leashes..one on each side of you.  Or you and your husband walk them together..both of you in the middle and a dog on either side.  You walk...stop and ignore both dogs..wait for Jazz to even look at Zora..then "let's go" and continue.

The ideal "introduction" between dogs is on neutral ground.  That probably didn't happen (?) so at this point I'd put up a puppy gate and keep them separated for a few days and allow Jazz to "accept" her presence..walk them together and be quite matter-of-fact with Jazz and not over-react.
Delores