Advice on getting an older dog to get along with a younger dog.?

I have a deaf 13 year old Shetland Sheepdog. 3 months ago I adopted a coworkers 6 year old collie-mix. For the first few months they got along fine, the older one basicly established herself as alpha and proceded to ignore the new dog. Luckly the younger dog, despite being part collie, is very submissive and not hyperactive. I alway feed and greet the older dog first to keep it clear she is alpha. Unfortunately the older dog has recently started snaping, unprovoked at the yonger. At this point my other dog has not retailiated but I'm really not sure how to handle this situation. The older dog has never been agressive in the past put between loosing her hearing, arthritis and the fact that her eyesight is starting to go I can see why her personality is changing. Right now I smack her snout when she snarls and tell the pet the other dog and tell her shes a good girl to reenforce her good behavior of not snarling back. So far this aproach has not really worked. They have not actually fought yet but I would apreciate any advice on how I shold handle this situation.Advice on getting an older dog to get along with a younger dog.?
If you ask me, the older dog is getting nervous about losing her eyesight and hearing so she is making sure the younger one won't attack her or try to become the leader.

Or it could just be crabbiness that comes with old age. Sometimes.Advice on getting an older dog to get along with a younger dog.?
Dogs are much less likely to behave in a dominant or aggressive manner if they first meet on neutral territory. Have your dogs meet initially at a local dog park or a fenced in friend檚 yard. Let them play together and watch how they interact. Praise them both for good behavior.



When the two dogs are interacting in a friendly manner, speak soothingly and positively to them to reinforce their positive interaction. Your goal should be to make both dogs feel good when they檙e in each others presence.



When a new dog is introduced into the household, attention can sometimes be directed towards the new family member making your old dog feel left out. Give your original dog the same amount of attention and time that he received prior to the new dog being introduced.



Don檛 force the new dog to share a feeding bowl, water bowl, bed, or dog house with your original dog. Make sure each dog has his own supplies. Sharing food and water bowls can create unnecessary friction between the two dogs.



Allow the dogs to determine their own pack order. Once a pack order has been established, reinforce it as much as possible. The dog higher in the pack should be fed first and given treats before the second dog. Don檛 adopt a sympathetic demeanor towards the underdog as this can destroy pack unity and potentially cause a dog fight.



When you introduce a new dog into your household, some initial friction is to be expected trance. You can also break up a fight with a bucket of cold water poured on the heads of both dogs.



Bringing a new dog into the household requires a period of adjustment for both humans and animals but with a little patience and caution it can be the beginnings of a wonderful new relationship.