Hi everyone So we are completely nuts. Dougal is now 13 months old. Other than chewing and pulling he has been a fantastic puppy. We always had two dogs but had decided Dougs would be an only dog. Well that was until my friend posted photos 7 weeks ago of her friends 1 week old Golden retriever pups. So Dougal is now getting a wee sister on Saturday. It seemed like a great idea at the time now I am worried it's going to be complete chaos. Obviously she will be stuck to the garden for a few weeks but how do you trust two dogs off the lead at the same time. Dougals recall is pretty good but I'm worried he'll get carried away in the excitement and instead of the new puppy following his good example he will just be a total nightmare and I'll be the idiot chasing two dogs through the park. Anyone got any advice?
It will be complete chaos, you're right! To be honest, though, you really don't want to be walking your new pup and Dougal together for a good while (think many months) anyway, even once she's able to get out and about. For a start, she'll only be able to go a few minutes at a time, whereas Dougal will need much, much longer. So, the practicality means you'll be going on separate walks. Maybe even more importantly than this, though, is that you should be focussing on how your puppy interacts with you, and that means making yourself the absolute focus of her attention when you're out. Not Dougal, not other dogs, you. Working on that puppy recall and setting the groundwork that makes her realise you're the most important thing in her world. So, don't stress about walking them together; that's a way down the line
I do agree with that - very much. Betsy (7 months) very rarely walks with Charlie (3.5 years). Perhaps once a week or 10 days they do a walk together. Which we all enjoy but it's just play time. It's not Charlie, he is pretty solid and reliable now, but Betsy bugs Charlie to play every second of the walk - this is annoying for him, and it's no way to build engagement and focus in a young puppy! When I have help I take them together - I have a friend who can handle Charlie and can walk him round in an off lead heel while I try to get Betsy to ignore him!
Thankyou both. I hadn't even thought about that which is crazy considering we had Our elderly dog Molly when Dougal came along, she sadly died in May. I never ever walked the two of them Together so I'm not sure why I was thinking of doing it this time. They can be crazy and bond in our garden for the time being.
I have named this "pre-puppy jitters" and I experienced it yesterday. I am in a very similar situation (previously had 2 dogs 9 months apart), Bear will be 9 1/2 months when we get our new puppy. It is very exciting, mixed with a dash of what the....am I thinking...lol
