Acceptable behavior in older dog interacting with a puppy?

[Liz]

I trust my girls implicity. They scold poor puppy behavior swiftly and effectively. I have watched them with their own pups and never intervene. My male I watch as I don't believe boys are always as tolerant. He is very patient with little ones though. He will correct with a growl, snap and roll when necessary. If the little monster needs discipline another good dog is the perfect way for him to learn.

[Montana]

Thanks for all your replies! I didn't see any blood no, but it looked pretty aggressive and the puppy let out a blood curdling scream, which is why I thought Montana had injured it. I took her out of time-out as soon as I saw he was okay though, but silly thing didn't learn and tried to continue to bug her, so I put her up on a comfy chair by us where the puppy couldn't reach her. Thanks for the reassurance, I thought she was just being a weenie because she has never shown any DA, even towards younger more playful dogs.

Not sure if this applies in your case, but dogs are hardwired to stay away from young puppies. Dams are very protective of their puppies, so dogs are wired to ignore puppies and thus avoid the dam's wrath. Sounds like puppy wasn't playing by the rules.

This would make sense as well. She grew up as a stray, along with many other strays I assume as I know there are many in Mexico, so she's very in-tune to dog language I've found. She just gets it. She's gentle with smaller dogs, and respectful of fearful or dogs who don't want to play.

Thanks again everyone! I understand it a bit better now. I'm oblivious when it comes to dealing with puppies, I've never had one myself.

[magicre]

puppies are an adorable pain in the arse, somewhat like a two year who needs a nap. :)

[Scarlett_O']

puppies are an adorable pain in the arse, somewhat like a two year who needs a nap. :)

Agreed!! Even our 18 month old looks at Rhett like he wishes he wasnt around some times!HAHAH

[Montana]

puppies are an adorable pain in the arse, somewhat like a two year who needs a nap. :)

! Which is why I don't think I'll ever get a puppy!

[3Musketeers]

Sounds like she was just correcting the pup, make sure she isn't actually biting the pup hard, it might sound pretty bad, but if she really wanted to hurt the pup, then trust me, she probably would have.
My Patchie is a grumpy-pants with most puppies, especially the big ones, and she will snarl and snap (but not actually bite), and it does sound pretty nasty, but she's basically telling them "knock it off, that's enough", she's generally fine with calmer dogs who don't jump all over her, so if that's the case with your dog too, then it's definitely not DA. Just not so willing to tolerate annoying/pushy pups.

[FL Cracker]

You should have seen our pup CoCo after 2 weeks of getting used to her new home...and our 10 Y/O Corgi - Bart. She looked like a junk yard dog. She would jump on Bart while he was in a stone cold snooze...he would turn around and promptly snap her...and she would run away screaming. We would get a look at the "damage" and find nothing most of the time...it was just a "hey...knock it off...I'm trying to sleep here". Once and a while (after CoCo got a bit older) she would come back for more...then Bart would turn up the heat. Never drew blood, but there was a few spot's where she had hair missing. Now CoCo "get's it"...when Bart has had enough...she stops and finds something else to do.