Will a Chow Chow puppy attack my small dogs if raised together?

There are a couple things you can do that may help smooth the introduction. Give the adult Chihuahua a lot of exercise prior to meeting the puppy so that she is physically tired. Have a barrier such as a baby gate in place so that she can smell the puppy but not cause injury. Make sure the puppy does not jump on her or otherwise cause her stress. You are correct that you need to always make sure the puppy is protected as the adult dog may hurt it. You should also keep in mind that not all dogs like other dogs. Some of them prefer to live in single dog households and that is simply their personality. Make sure to correct any bad behavior from the adult dog. Correct the puppy to but this will be a little bit different because it is still learning. Best of luck and please feel free to post any additional questions. And yes, this is a free service! We do have private consultations available for a fee.

It really depends on the individual dog. Virtually all dogs can learn obedience skills as long as the trainer is good, but protection work and getting along with other dogs will depend a lot on his individual personality. If you want a dog to do these things, I would strongly recommend getting a pup from a breeder whose dogs have the qualities that you're looking for - this will dramatically increase the chances that your puppy will have a suitable temperament for these things.

A gradual introduction would be recommended. Separate them for a few days, then begin anew. Jackson may eventually become acclimated and accepting of the new dog, but it could take time. Consider a pheromone product, such as the Adaptil collar or DAP diffuser, to decrease any anxiety or aggression. Correct any aggressive behavior immediately and praise and reward good behavior.

Dogs are generally good about regulating their own play and not pushing it too far. Even large dogs and small dogs can play nicely together. Supervise the play and if things do get too rough, separate them for 30 minutes to allow them to calm down. Both dogs will benefit from additional exercise (a tired dog is generally better behaved) and the aggressor dog would benefit the most. I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach, and congratulations on your new puppy. I'm glad she is playing and sleeping with your 2 older females. While sometimes dog behavior can change over time, there is nothing to say that she will for certain become aggressive with age. As they grow out of the puppy stage, they can try to establish dominance among the other dogs, but this doesn't always happen, and only time will tell what your girls will do. Hopefully, Peaches will continue to leave in harmony with the older dogs.

That is hard to predict and the best thing is to observe the dog now to evaluate her personality. If she shows any signs of aggression or dominance than it may be a problem. If you don't notice any concerning behavior now than aggression may never be an issue, especially if the dog is properly socialized. If they decide to get the dog than enrolling her in obedience class would be a good idea to make sure she is properly socialized and obedient.

Continue to be patient and supervise all of their interactions. As he gets older, he should stop being so rambunctious. You can also try to get out some of his extra energy by playing outside or going for a long walk or run to tire him out before he starts playing with your other dogs. I would keep toys and food separate until they learn how to interact. As they get to know each other, your older dogs will help teach the puppy boundaries.