Introducing a second Pug- is this normal?

[ThePuglet]

Our second Pug arrived home on Sunday and we are all besotted, except for our existing Pug who is still unsure. He is almost a year old, neutered, well socialised and gets on with dogs of all ages and sizes, including doggy visitors to our house. Our new addition, Margot, is 9 weeks old today and poor Henry is a little confused of what to make of her.

I read up on the theory behind introducing the two and have been very careful to supervise them closely and pay Henry lots of attention, treats and praise when he is around her. Several of my books told me to expect some noisy posturing and possibly Henry pinning Margot and not to interfere unless things got too rough.

They are fine together on my lap (they are curled up right now asleep together) or playing on the sofa but as soon as they are on the floor and Margot starts moving quickly Henry chases her and pins her down and she squawks and resists. Henry can be very gentle with her, he patiently sat and yawned whilst she chewed his tail and his collar earlier, but as soon as she is moving he is back to pinning her down. Henry is clicker trained so I've been using the clicker and treats with 'leave it' and 'watch me' commands to keep his attention focused on me and not Margot, which does work. They are always separated when I can't supervise them, Margot has a crate and pen which she plays in when I am out of the room.

My question is should I be interfering like this or should I just let them figure it out? Henry has never displayed any aggression before and plays with the younger puppies at our training classes just fine so I'd like to think he wouldn't hurt her, but she is just so teeny. Any advice would be very much appreciated.

[Hellas]

I think you are right to intervene. She is too tiny to defend herself and Henry might accidentally hurt her. I'd keep doing what you have been doing.

[CSollers]

I think you are right to intervene. She is too tiny to defend herself and Henry might accidentally hurt her. I'd keep doing what you have been doing.

Yep. I agree, again.

[ThePuglet]

Thanks to both of you for the replies. I've just been sat with them on the floor and keeping Henry focused on me with the clicker and treats whilst she played around him and that worked ok. I'm only doing this for short periods of time as Margot gets tired and Henry doesn't have the longest attention span, but hopefully if I carry on doing this every couple of hours Henry will learn to leave her be. They are cuddled up again and both snoring so hopefully they will figure it out and learn how to play nicely very soon.

[sugarskullz]

I agree also. I have a 1 yr old female and a 6 month old male. When we brought Ozzy home in December, Lola was exactly the same way. She never hurt him, but she did pin him down all the time and let him know who the boss was. I always supervised as well and they are still crated separately. Now that he is practically as big as her, he can handle himself. Now I would imagine she regrets all the grief she gave the poor little guy as he is giving it back in spades. They play fight all the time now and cuddle together like nobody's business. The ONLY time they actually have a serious spat is when it is meal time and then they are separated for eating. I don't think your Henry will hurt her purposefully, but accidents happen so keep an eye on them til she grows some.
Having 2 pugs is great fun and they will keep you laughing everyday with their antics. They will also melt your heart the way that they love and cuddle each other. Mine are both on my lap right now, with Lola snoring loudly and Ozzy grooming her face. Good Luck with your new baby!

[ThePuglet]

Sugarskullz thank you so much, that is just what I needed to hear. They both have their own crates and are fed separately, with Henry getting extra treats and smaller meals so I can be sure to feed him every time I feed Margot.

Fingers crossed they will be getting on as well as your pair very soon.

[mishoga]

I'm going through that right now except both of mine are puppies. I have a 7.5 month male and 5.5 month female. Boy came home first 2 months before girl.
My boy loves her but he can be a little too aggressive sometimes. My vet said to let them be but I just can't. He's growled nasty a couple of times and actually grabbed her aggressively with a tight teeth gripe when her baby teeth hurt him. So I am constantly supervising them. I just purchased three gates to lock her in the kitchen for down time. it seems to quiet them down and allow me to get some stuff done without having to put them in their crates often.

Def supervise. Your baby is too young to be left alone. Good luck and wish me good luck too. I've never worked so hard but yes, I love them dearly and they make me laugh all the time.

[ThePuglet]

Gosh mishoga you really have your hands full, it sounds like you're doing a great job. Crates, pens and baby gates are definitely the way forward. Good luck and I'd love to hear updates on how you are getting on.

[TNPUGMOMOF2]

They are securing their places in the pack and will work it out just fine. While she is so young I would defiantely supervise, but soon she will definately hold her own, and in my experience, as a female will be large and in charge!!! LOL!

[mishoga]

They are securing their places in the pack and will work it out just fine. While she is so young I would defiantely supervise, but soon she will definately hold her own, and in my experience, as a female will be large and in charge!!! LOL!

Is that true with the girls being bigger in size? I know the vet said my girl would be 20-22 lbs and the boy will be 18-20 ibs. She is two months younger and already the same size