Things sound as though they are turning around... Personally I wouldn't allow wild play fighting in the house, but that's just me. We are getting our new puppy next week and I am worried how Poppy will accept him, so your thread has been very interesting and helpful.
I think the main problem is you've not really seen how they play before. They can be really rough or seem so to us. Mine never hurt each other and even though it looks like a free for all there seem to be subtle rules to the game.labs play a bit like staffies, it's all lots of noise and bumping, wide gaps and strange noises
I was worried about Moo. She hated the pup, she would not get off the sofa or eat for a few days.luckily Rory was very respectful and he eventually won her over. It took time but I expected her to be upset. She loves him now and when Doug died I think he helped her to survive it. They sleep together now and she seems happy. Doug just rolled his eyes "not another one" and comforted Rory when he needed it. I do let mine display normal dog behaviour but I am careful and stop them if they get over excited. Tea time is always hilariously silly paws get waved teeth clicked and high pitched squeels can be heard upstairs. Then they have to go to their positions and wait til I got it made. So funny 4 pm sillies. What makes you think poppy will not like a new pup.? I sort of knew with moo what would happen, she's never had any time for pups or other none family dogs really. She has friends but has never been really interested in other dogs or people. She's not unfriendly or aggressive just not interested . For her its all about Moo so as long as she feels confidant shes no 1 she is content.
I have a command 'enough' (which I shout). I taught it with very tasty treats 'enough' just means 'stop what you are doing and come to me'. I stop all play when I have had enough - which depends entirely on my mood No play is allowed in the lounge, ever at all. No toys, no bones. The lounge is for snoozing only. I'm lucky with Tatze, she adores puppies - the smaller the better - and has been used to them from 15 months old, she's brought up five so far. Gypsy, Twiglet and Mollie for a full year and Kara and Bruce for two months each. So a very different situation from Red and Sky. When Tatze arrived we had 15 year old Gavin with very old bones, we couldn't let them play at all. Gavin had lots of safe puppy-free places. Tatze has her chair and her bed, as soon as she dives for her chair the pups have all been taught she's unavailable. .. ...
Yes my DH used the word 'enough' so I think that's the word we will use. Sky had the full use of downstairs before Red (so that's 10 years). She now spends very little time in the kitchen and the utility room has always been her bedroom and still is. The kitchen gate is beginning to be open more to the rest of downstairs. Sky has never gone upstairs and hopefully we can train Red the same. During a normal week, it's generally me and Red in the kitchen, Sky in the sitting room/hall, DH in his office so really only evenings in the sitting room. This weekend has been different and we have all been in the sitting room during the day a lot more - Red has had her sleeps in the crate in there and I have managed a doze in the afternoon (have had a massive problem with sleeping even once Red started going through the night with no need for taking outside). It's good Tatze has her chair - not sure what we can do for Sky other than keeping them separate as we are the majority of the time. Sky has a mattress type bed that goes in a plastic bed. Red has taken a fancy to it and we will get her one for her mattress/bed. Think that will help them settle. Sky is definitely showing less resistance to Red but I am mindful of her arthritis. I think you do an amazing job Boogie, training all those puppies.
[QUOTE="SwampDonkey, post: 292223, member: 2421" What makes you think poppy will not like a new pup.?[/QUOTE] I think she will like the puppy - eventually. She's a very sensitive soul, and I just think that like Moo she will take herself away from the action. I'm hoping it'll be easier than with Red and Sky - but others have described how their dogs took months to accept the puppy as well. Tatze is an exception and an example, but I dare not hope for that...
Sky is a Pets as Therapy dog (which I started to do after I retired) but I stopped last year because the place we visited was quite a journey from where I live but Sky had some good years bringing pleasure to others - I found that very rewarding and that was just a once a week thing.
I think she will like the puppy - eventually. She's a very sensitive soul, and I just think that like Moo she will take herself away from the action. I'm hoping it'll be easier than with Red and Sky - but others have described how their dogs took months to accept the puppy as well. Tatze is an exception and an example, but I dare not hope for that...[/QUOTE] Tatze is also a sensitive soul - so there is hope ...
I think she will like the puppy - eventually. She's a very sensitive soul, and I just think that like Moo she will take herself away from the action. I'm hoping it'll be easier than with Red and Sky - but others have described how their dogs took months to accept the puppy as well. Tatze is an exception and an example, but I dare not hope for that...[/QUOTE] I would never say sensitive about Moo she just very particular and a bit peculiar. Poppy seems a lot more sensible than moo and I'm sure she will love the pup even it takes a bit of time. I just had to be very careful in my choice of pup and there was no way i would have bought a girl pup home Moo would have hated another girl and the boy had to be outgoing but not Ott. I was so worried I nearly didn't do it but Im glad i did
Do you think my difficulties are because they are both female? A person did say to me, perhaps we should have got a male.
No, not in the least. All but one of mine have been female I have only had one problem and that was with Twiglet, who HATED her brother for no discernible reason! ...
That said, we decided on a boy because we thought it might be easier with Pops... Anyway, I'm sure it will work out. Great avatar, Atemas!!!
Moo hates other girl dogs in her house she's not aggressive she just refuses to engage and is very withdrawn. I know with some dogs female to female can be an issue but not normally labs. gun dogs in general seem to be good at being in a group. Moo is just a bit strange, lovely but odd.
