We recently (2 weeks ago) got a 10 week old German Shepherd puppy to go with our 10 yo Blue Heeler (Australian Cattle Dog) and 3yo Shi-Tzu/Maltese Terrier cross as the Heeler is getting pretty old and we didn't want to be left without a guard dog.

The puppy is a little boisterous, but very intelligent, but nonetheless has severely tested the limits of the other two dogs' patience. We have tried to supervise them sorting it out themselves and thought they were making progress but now our little dog really does not want to go outside at all and seems recently to have lost all its toilet training inside, forcing to make sure they are always separated except under the strictest supervision.

We don't think that can last but don't now know what to do to help them sort it out.

Grateful any ideas,

Paul, Kalgoorlie, W.Australia

Hi Paul, it sounds like you have a difficult situation on your hands. The first thing I would suggest is to try walking all the dogs together (usually this should be done as soon as you bring the new dog into your home) as this can help enormously with the bonding process. I would also continue to supervise all the dogs outside together so that they can learn to get along, but it is important that you take on the roll of disciplinarian if you feel that your Malt-shih tzu is not capable of doing so. Usually it is the role of older dogs to bring a younger dog into line, but not all dogs are willing to do this or capable of doing so. What you need to do is reprimand the pup for play that is obviously distressing your other dog. You can do this by giving a firm growl to the pup and taking him by the collar and removing him from the other dogs personal space. usually the dogs tend to settle within a few weeks and all will be well. But it is important that your pup learn that there are boundaries which he cannot cross. Good luck, and if we can help you any further please let us know.