Well.....I did it....got me a new little chocolate Labrador. This is my first lab and actually a first puppy for me too so I hope I can do her proud. Just some initial fears that I'm hoping someone can calm! I already have a much much older dog that I rescued. (She's a mix of all sorts retriever, brac goodness knows what!) Happily she rather adores me and follows me everywhere.(we are farmers so I'm around all day.) Her temperament is angelic.! Although she was used to being with other dogs in her earlier life before I took her in she has had my undivided love and attention for the last 18 months and has blossomed but I have some slight concerns about any jealousy and how best to deal with that. Secondly and a bit unexpectedly my partner has been given a puppy too; a hunting dog of a different breed. She will arrive a month after mine. I know it's probably not ideal but if anyone has any ideas about how I'm going to settle all these new additions whilst keeping the old one happy I'd be most grateful! I must say I'm delighted to be getting this new pup...its been a long held dream to have a lab and a chocolate one at that and finally I'm in the right place to do that. She is the more plump one of the litter..is this a concern? They told me she was the gready one so I guess I'm just going to have to keep an eye on her food intake!
Welcome or the forum and congratulations on fulfilling your dream of having a chocolate Labrador in the family Your older dog will possibly be a bit put out initially with the pupp(ies) but in time they should all end up getting along very well. The best approach is to spend separate time with each dog, on walks or training or just hanging out on the farm. That will actually be essential with the puppies, to do separate training (with the other dogs totally out of sight and out of mind) so the puppies form a good bond with you humans. Otherwise they can sometimes only have eyes for each other. Also, try to provide a place for your older dog to be able to get away from the inevitable biting and puppy rough and tumble - generally older dogs are only interested in so much of that, and then they need a break. What are you going to name your new pup?
Just wanted to say welcome! Good advice above. I have only had one dog so no experience here. 2 new pups....exciting! My thoughts are to work together and agree how you are going to train and get consistency...so as not to spoil each others training. good luck....its going to be hard work
Hi a few months ago I introduced Henry (pup on the left) into the household with an older dog - George (on the right of the picture with the grey muzzle). The most pressing problem I had was that Henry LOVED George and didn't give him a moments peace. George was actually quite scared of the pup and spent his time running out of every room Henry entered. I was really glad of the advice from forum members to create a safe space for dear old George to go - I did it in the corner of the living room - and he was mightily relieved to go into protective custody. Things soon settled down and now they are really good together.
Make sure your older dog has a puppy-free space in every room that she knows is hers and you won't let the pup near her when she's there. My Tatze has a new pup to bring up every year and this works really well .
Hello and welcome to the forum! How old is your older dog? I got Poppy when Bones was already 13, and I have to say it was a bit of a trial for him and in retrospect not really ideal... After the first few months they became good friends, but to begin with he suffered a bit. As others have said, make sure she has a place to escape, and also spend time just with her and give her lots of love and attention, as well as the pups. Good luck, I'm sure it'll work out!
Yes, my older dog is also about 13 so thank you for the advice and insight into that situation. I will make sure that she gets appropriate attention and a quiet spot to retreat to. We are also moving house when the pups are about 7 months old!!....its going to be a busy summer but the new place has got lots of space so the older one will find plenty of places to hide if needs be.
Thank you for the wise words. Its going to be a busy summer (we are also moving house!) I hope I am not putting too much stress on them all...or myself for that matter! Giving them individual attention as well as having them altogether seems to be the way forward. Thank you. As for the name, well, we live in France and the system is that you use a letter to indicate the year...this year it is M ...so..I'm playing with Mannie as a possibility (hence the user name as its also the name of the village we are moving to but different spelling) but its early days..she could end up with something completely different! Suggestion very welcome!
