[Big Al]

Hi all, we picked up our new Rocheby puppy earlier this week and can’t tell you how thrilled we are with him. Bentley joins our family as the second lab in our house. We already have Betsie, a seven year old black bitch who has the most amazing calm temperament. We previously had an older male who passed away in October aged 15 1/2 and he and Betsie got along well.

All is going great with Bentley but one area of advice we are looking for is ensuring the relationship between our two dogs Gets off on the right foot. Betsie has been unexpectedly wary of the new puppy and will back off when he goes near her. She has growled at him a couple of times when she has been in her bed and he has tried to get in with her. We have not forced them together and have smothered her with affection and praise, nor have we admonished her at all but keen to hear of others experience of socialising their own dogs.

 

[JohnW]

Hi Al,
This is a big upheaval for Betsie. For 7 years she has either been on her own or "The young one" and now a "Rug rat" has appeared! This can affect things in different ways. Some are natural mothers and will mother all puppies, others see them as a threat to their way of life. My Anna truly hated Amy and growled whenever she went near. This went on for two weeks, then one day I was sat in my chair playing a gentle tug of war with Amy and Anna came to me. So I offered her the other end of the toy. Anna took it, then dropped it immediately, literally jumped on Amy and washed her from head to toe! Problem gone! When Chloe arrived Amy was not quite so bad, but was generally a bit standoffish, did not want her too close. But again that did not last, and they soon settled together.

How do I tackle it? Basically I take charge. I wont take arguments from either. It might be a dog/human partnership but not quite an equal one, I'm in charge. Be even handed. A growl from either results in a sharp "Pack it in you two!" I'm not telling Amy off and I'm not telling Chloe off, I'm telling them both that it's unacceptable behaviour.

Puppies demand attention! That goes without saying. But from the oldie's point of view, she feels slightly pushed out, so take the time to make a fuss of her. Not so much when Baby is around because baby will try to push in, turning it into a competition for your affection. But whenever baby is not around is time for kisses and cuddles.

I feed them in separate places, baby in her crate (with the door open at first) and oldie in her usual place, with me making sure they stick to their own. Remember, food and treats can be a flash point, so be very careful until they get use to waiting their turn.

I normally walk them separately at first because the oldie needs longer and for pup most of the time is training time. But it's also nice, and useful, to have a bit of one to one time with the oldie, just her and you having time together. I always take them to the park in my car so it's easy to slip one out of the car and leave the other for a few minutes.

Basically it's all common sense and a matter of showing the old one that she's still important. The house dynamics have changed and she will be feeling a little insecure.

 

[Mrs H.A]

Hi Al,
This is a big upheaval for Betsie. For 7 years she has either been on her own or "The young one" and now a "Rug rat" has appeared! This can affect things in different ways. Some are natural mothers and will mother all puppies, others see them as a threat to their way of life. My Anna truly hated Amy and growled whenever she went near. This went on for two weeks, then one day I was sat in my chair playing a gentle tug of war with Amy and Anna came to me. So I offered her the other end of the toy. Anna took it, then dropped it immediately, literally jumped on Amy and washed her from head to toe! Problem gone! When Chloe arrived Amy was not quite so bad, but was generally a bit standoffish, did not want her too close. But again that did not last, and they soon settled together.

How do I tackle it? Basically I take charge. I wont take arguments from either. It might be a dog/human partnership but not quite an equal one, I'm in charge. Be even handed. A growl from either results in a sharp "Pack it in you two!" I'm not telling Amy off and I'm not telling Chloe off, I'm telling them both that it's unacceptable behaviour.

Puppies demand attention! That goes without saying. But from the oldie's point of view, she feels slightly pushed out, so take the time to make a fuss of her. Not so much when Baby is around because baby will try to push in, turning it into a competition for your affection. But whenever baby is not around is time for kisses and cuddles.

I feed them in separate places, baby in her crate (with the door open at first) and oldie in her usual place, with me making sure they stick to their own. Remember, food and treats can be a flash point, so be very careful until they get use to waiting their turn.

I normally walk them separately at first because the oldie needs longer and for pup most of the time is training time. But it's also nice, and useful, to have a bit of one to one time with the oldie, just her and you having time together. I always take them to the park in my car so it's easy to slip one out of the car and leave the other for a few minutes.

Basically it's all common sense and a matter of showing the old one that she's still important. The house dynamics have changed and she will be feeling a little insecure.

Hi, I've just joined the forum as we will be getting our lab pup in about 3 weeks time.
This Is such a timely discussion for us as we have 2 older yorkies and my main concern is ''how will they all get on?' Thank you so much for the sensible, experienced advice , I'm avidly reading as much as I can from these pages and we have a crate on order as it seems such a great idea. 🙂

 

[Tarimoor]

Hi, I've just joined the forum as we will be getting our lab pup in about 3 weeks time.
This Is such a timely discussion for us as we have 2 older yorkies and my main concern is ''how will they all get on?' Thank you so much for the sensible, experienced advice , I'm avidly reading as much as I can from these pages and we have a crate on order as it seems such a great idea. 🙂

I had a litter of pups in 2019, and one of those pups went to someone who has 2 chihuahuas, and the two chis are definitely in charge. It's surprising just how big characters little dogs are

 

[Destiny M Jones]

Hi Friends...!!!

Hi, I have just joined the forum as we will be getting our labrador puppy in about 4 weeks.

 

[JohnW]

Hi Destiny, they are such hard work as babies, but grow into such wonderful creatures!