how to discipline my older dog

i have a 5 year old lab/german shorthair mix and a 16 week old maltipoo....i posted before that they seemed to get along well...the older (much larger) dog enjoying playing with the pup and whatnot...well, i've noticed a couple of times in the last week or so when josie (the lab) seems to get tense about the puppy...you know, being clingy to me, biting at the pup when she barks at me to get attention etc.....josie was just spayed about 3 weeks ago and the vet said that it looked like she was just about to go into heat when they did the operation, it had only been 3 months since her last heat, so i thought we were safe. anyway, i was wondering if her 'moods' could be hormonal?..tonite she tried to 'scoop' the pup up as if she was going to try to mount her...i told her to stop and she backed off..but for the rest of the night she was being 'weird' with puppy...i don't know how to explain it, but i think i'm pretty in tune with josies body language, and although she wasn't growling or anything, she just seemed to be more aggressive than her usual self. she also kept dropping a toy in front of the pup like she was trying to divert her attention from me.
how should i handle it when she gets this way?...tonite i scolded her to 'be nice' and eventually just lured her to the bedroom (where my H is sleeping) and shut her in there to lay down for a while. I've been practicing NILIF with her and it seemed to be working well. I'm confused though because when i brought puppy home, i read that i should show the older dog extra attention so she wouldn't feel replaced...then recently i read that i shouldn't be 'overindulging' her because she could become aggressive??...i'm so confused..i want to do this right because i love them both soooo much.

Puppy is so small that i think i may be a little over protective, but i can't bear the thought of her getting hurt. i just recently started letting them outside to do their business together because josie is so active and runs around so much..puppy tries to keep up and sometimes gets 'stepped on'

would love some advice on what i should do about discipline in this situation and if maybe shes acting this way because of something i've done or maybe the spaying..??

 

i also think i may have done something wrong this morning...josie and pebbles (puppy) were playing..josie had rolled on her back and puppy was crawling on her head as usual...well, i guess josie tried to get up or something and must have either scared or hurt the pup...she proceeded to run to the side and yelp like crazy...of course after i picked her up she stopped (she tends to be a little sensitive)..i didn't yell at josie or anything, but when something like that happens, and i know it wasn't intentional on josie's part, do you think it is real bad to run to puppy and pick her up? i dont' want josie to resent the pup, but i can't let her sit and cry without giving her some love either....

this multiple dog household has been harder than i thought it would be..i want to make it work..help!!!

 

First of all, you do need to check the pup if you think she'e been hurt. I know its nerve wracking when you think your pet has been injured but try and stay calm and keep it 'casual', dont make a 'big deal' out of it. Anxiety and panic will trigger a response from both dogs, it can be anything from trying to hide to agression, and any attitude in between, depends on each individual dog.
I remember that Josie had a few problems after the spay, it may be worth going back to your vet and have a general exam done (if you havent already) to rule out any medical problems, underlying infection etc.
They do go through hormonal changes after a spay, one of my dogs who is dog aggressive to start with became a lot snappier for a few weeks after she was spayed and Ive had other people tell me the same, mostly though it doenst become an issue. There is a pain issue for a little while that seems to last longer with older dogs so it could be that she doesnt want to bothered as much just yet.
Now for the behaviour, everyone has their own opinions on this, and many of them differ, something can work great for one dog but not well at all for another dog, if you try something one way and its not working or making the situation worse then try another way.
Up until you got the pup had Josie been your only dog? Have you had her since a pup? If she's been the only dog in the house for a while she probably thinks of herself as the 'alpha' or at least higher up the ladder than the pup, she seemed happy enough with the puppy initially but the as puppy is getting older Josie may see her as a prospective challenge. (trying to mount her=trying to dominate her...possibly). The general rule is the alpha dog is the one that gets the attention from you, seeing you giving the pup attention can build her frustration as far as her 'rank' in the house is concerned. When I say attention though I dont necessarily mean playing with or petting etc, but things like putting Josies bowl of food down before the pups, let Josie out the door just before the pup(dont need to wait a while....but Josie get everything first). obviously you do need to give the pup attention also and if Josie 'disaproves' then you will have to get a little stern with her...if the dogs were the same size I would say pick the most dominant one, it could change to having to do that once the puppy is an adult, a fight for dominance can all be in their minds, my 5# chi/fox terrier was dominant over my 100# Rott, if the chi wanted to lay where the Rott was, the Rott got up and moved, obvioulsy if there had been a physical challenge the chi wouldnt stand a chance.
I think that Josie giving the pup a toy is that maybe she really does just want to play.
Like I said, rule out any medical problems and keep in mind she could still be a little painful or at least uncomfortable especially after she's been running around. I would definietly keep a close eye on them both though as the puppy is only small and could get hurt, accidentally or not.

 

thanks for the response...josie has been with us since a pup and i'm sure she considers herself the boss around here as she's only lived with cats until now. she was/is always a 'needy' dog...wanting attention constantly and following either me (or my husband when he's home) around the house all day. I will make her an appointment with her regular vet asap, but i think since she just finished her round of antibiotics and her incision looks really good, she's doing ok on that front.
i'm also looking into enrolling her into a basic obedience class next month, thinking that maybe some good training will help with the puppy relationship and also get her to act less obnoxious when out in public, she's friendly but gets very excited and barky when we're out walking see other people, especially when they have dogs with them. She's not very polite on the leash at all, pulling me like crazy and when she gets real excited, it's quite the challenge to hold onto this 65 lb. bundle of energy.

thanks again for the help/suggestions, i love this board!..

 

Basic obedience is a great idea, are you enrolling the pup too? It will not only improve her behaviour on the leash it builds your own bond with her, it gives her a focus....dogs love to 'have a job to do' and it will give you more control over her in general, it also builds their confidence which very often will eliminate or at least reduce any frustrations.

 

i am planning on enrolling puppy too, depending on the times/days the different classes are held, i may have to wait till josie's done and then work on pebbles...i really wish i would have done training with josie when she was young, but better late than never i guess!

 

Good luck with it, let us know how it goes.
Thanks.

 

Just thought I'd pop in here. Seems to me like your doing a great job.
First of all. Your older dog is probably feeling a little protective of you and getting a little jelous when you show the new pup attention. Be sure to give the same amount of attention to both dogs separate....
What Josi is shoing is not agression. She's teaching the youngster that she is boss and thats the way its going to be.
By mounting her and rolling her she's using doggie language to show her that she's boss and the little one needs to respect her. If the pup gets scared, DO NOT RUN AND PICK IT UP!! it must learn its roll in the family "pack".
Only intervien if you see a threatening issue at hand or the potential for one of them to get hurt. I would keep them separated during the day by either crated or in separate rooms untill you feel safe that they are getting along.