Teaching "enough"
Helping your puppy learn to
respect your older dog
Adding a puppy to your home can bring a lot of joy — and sometimes a little chaos, too. If you already have an older dog, you might notice that your new puppy is full of energy and constantly trying to engage your older dog in play. While some older dogs will firmly let a puppy know when they’ve had enough, others are more tolerant — or even a bit too tolerant — and won’t set boundaries for the pup. That’s where you, as the human, need to step in and help both dogs live peacefully together.
One of my favorite ways to help manage this situation is by teaching the cue "Enough."
What Is "Enough"?"
Enough" is a simple, clear cue that helps interrupt rough play or pestering behavior before it escalates. It's not a punishment — it’s simply a way to calmly separate both dogs, reset the situation, and give everyone a break.
With consistency and practice, your dogs will learn that when you say "Enough," playtime is over (at least for the moment), and it’s time to disengage and focus on you.
How to Teach "Enough"
Step 1: Start With Low-Level Play
Begin when both dogs are interacting but not overly worked up. It’s easier to teach this when the puppy is somewhat calm rather than full-blown wild mode.
Step 2: Approach With Treats
When you see your puppy starting to pester the older dog, say "Enough" in a calm, neutral tone. As you say it, calmly approach both dogs holding a treat in each hand.
Step 3: Lure Away
Gently lure each dog away from each other with the treat, guiding them toward you. If possible, lure them to sit or stand in front of you, spaced apart.
Step 4: Reward
Once both dogs are focused on you and no longer engaging with each other, give each of them their treat. Keep your tone and body language relaxed.
Step 5: Repeat
Practice this repeatedly throughout the day whenever you see the puppy becoming too pushy. Over time, your dogs will start to associate the word "Enough" with disengaging from each other and coming to you for a reward.
Progression
With repetition, the dogs will begin to respond to your verbal cue alone, without needing you to approach them every time. Eventually, simply saying "Enough" from across the room will cause the puppy to stop pestering the older dog and redirect their attention to you.
Additional Tips to Help Curb the Behavior
While teaching "Enough" is incredibly helpful, there are some other strategies you can also implement to help your older dog get some peace:
1. Provide the Puppy With Plenty of OutletsMake sure your puppy is getting enough physical and mental stimulation throughout the day. Bored puppies often turn to pestering as a way to entertain themselves.
One of my favorite ways to help manage this situation is by teaching the cue "Enough."
What Is "Enough"?"
Enough" is a simple, clear cue that helps interrupt rough play or pestering behavior before it escalates. It's not a punishment — it’s simply a way to calmly separate both dogs, reset the situation, and give everyone a break.
With consistency and practice, your dogs will learn that when you say "Enough," playtime is over (at least for the moment), and it’s time to disengage and focus on you.
How to Teach "Enough"
Step 1: Start With Low-Level Play
Begin when both dogs are interacting but not overly worked up. It’s easier to teach this when the puppy is somewhat calm rather than full-blown wild mode.
Step 2: Approach With Treats
When you see your puppy starting to pester the older dog, say "Enough" in a calm, neutral tone. As you say it, calmly approach both dogs holding a treat in each hand.
Step 3: Lure Away
Gently lure each dog away from each other with the treat, guiding them toward you. If possible, lure them to sit or stand in front of you, spaced apart.
Step 4: Reward
Once both dogs are focused on you and no longer engaging with each other, give each of them their treat. Keep your tone and body language relaxed.
Step 5: Repeat
Practice this repeatedly throughout the day whenever you see the puppy becoming too pushy. Over time, your dogs will start to associate the word "Enough" with disengaging from each other and coming to you for a reward.
Progression
With repetition, the dogs will begin to respond to your verbal cue alone, without needing you to approach them every time. Eventually, simply saying "Enough" from across the room will cause the puppy to stop pestering the older dog and redirect their attention to you.
Additional Tips to Help Curb the Behavior
While teaching "Enough" is incredibly helpful, there are some other strategies you can also implement to help your older dog get some peace:
1. Provide the Puppy With Plenty of OutletsMake sure your puppy is getting enough physical and mental stimulation throughout the day. Bored puppies often turn to pestering as a way to entertain themselves.
- Short training sessions
- Puzzle toys
- Sniff walks
- Chewing appropriate items (stuffed Kongs, bully sticks, etc.)
3. Supervise and Interrupt Early
Don’t wait until things escalate. If you notice the puppy winding up or the older dog looking uncomfortable, intervene early and give both dogs a reset.
4. Reward Calm Behavior
Whenever your puppy is calm around the older dog, reward that behavior! Reinforcing calm coexistence teaches your puppy that being near the older dog doesn’t always mean wild play.
5. Teach Other Useful Cues
In addition to "Enough," you may want to work on:
Remember, puppies are still learning appropriate social skills, and not all older dogs feel comfortable correcting them. By stepping in as the referee, you’re not only protecting your older dog, but you’re also teaching your puppy important life skills that will help them become a polite, respectful adult dog.
With consistent training, clear communication, and plenty of patience, your household can find a peaceful balance where both your puppy and your older dog can happily coexist.
Giene Keyes
Giene Keyes is the owner of Moon Dog Training, LLC, providing positive in-home training, behavior consultations and group classes. After receiving “Best of Madison'' multiple years in a row, Giene sold her dog daycare to focus on her dog behavior work. Giene has been working with pets and their owners for over 30 years. She is a professional animal trainer and behavior specialist in Southern Wisconsin. Giene divides her time between teaching group classes and private lessons – Specializing in manners and aggression cases. Giene works with vets, rescue groups and shelters, evaluating dogs for adoption, developing Canine Aggression Management Programs, and educating staff on dog language and behaviors. She consults for dog daycares and training companies by educating staff on dog body language, cues, managing a pack, difficult dogs and much more. She provides behavior consultations for service dog organizations and rescue groups in the Midwest. She has been an Instructor with the American Red Cross in Pet CPR and First Aid, a Certified Canine Good Citizen Evaluator with the American Kennel Club, and a Licensed Judge with the WI Dept of Ag, Trade & Consumer Protection. Giene is a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers and is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer. She routinely presents seminars on dog behavior and training, as well as chicken training seminars to promote team building. Giene has been a regular guest on popular Madison radio shows and evening newscasts. Giene has also been featured in numerous local magazines, including the cover for Wisconsin Woman. Giene is a published author (see her Chicken Training Book!) and loves demonstrating to people how clever dogs, chickens and pigs can be.
Don’t wait until things escalate. If you notice the puppy winding up or the older dog looking uncomfortable, intervene early and give both dogs a reset.
4. Reward Calm Behavior
Whenever your puppy is calm around the older dog, reward that behavior! Reinforcing calm coexistence teaches your puppy that being near the older dog doesn’t always mean wild play.
5. Teach Other Useful Cues
In addition to "Enough," you may want to work on:
- Place/Settle: Teaching your puppy to relax on a mat.
- Come When Called: So you can easily call the puppy away when needed.
- Leave It: Helps prevent the puppy from fixating on the older dog.
Remember, puppies are still learning appropriate social skills, and not all older dogs feel comfortable correcting them. By stepping in as the referee, you’re not only protecting your older dog, but you’re also teaching your puppy important life skills that will help them become a polite, respectful adult dog.
With consistent training, clear communication, and plenty of patience, your household can find a peaceful balance where both your puppy and your older dog can happily coexist.
Giene Keyes
Giene Keyes is the owner of Moon Dog Training, LLC, providing positive in-home training, behavior consultations and group classes. After receiving “Best of Madison'' multiple years in a row, Giene sold her dog daycare to focus on her dog behavior work. Giene has been working with pets and their owners for over 30 years. She is a professional animal trainer and behavior specialist in Southern Wisconsin. Giene divides her time between teaching group classes and private lessons – Specializing in manners and aggression cases. Giene works with vets, rescue groups and shelters, evaluating dogs for adoption, developing Canine Aggression Management Programs, and educating staff on dog language and behaviors. She consults for dog daycares and training companies by educating staff on dog body language, cues, managing a pack, difficult dogs and much more. She provides behavior consultations for service dog organizations and rescue groups in the Midwest. She has been an Instructor with the American Red Cross in Pet CPR and First Aid, a Certified Canine Good Citizen Evaluator with the American Kennel Club, and a Licensed Judge with the WI Dept of Ag, Trade & Consumer Protection. Giene is a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers and is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer. She routinely presents seminars on dog behavior and training, as well as chicken training seminars to promote team building. Giene has been a regular guest on popular Madison radio shows and evening newscasts. Giene has also been featured in numerous local magazines, including the cover for Wisconsin Woman. Giene is a published author (see her Chicken Training Book!) and loves demonstrating to people how clever dogs, chickens and pigs can be.
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