Just picked up our black lab bitch. Brought Pippas fantastic puppy book and her new Labrador book too! All prepared and it not my first ever puppy either but now she is home I am suffering from that oh my word what have I done feeling! Our 6 year old golden retriever has already gone for the poor little one twice. We have her puppy crate up and ready which she is eating in and trying to get her happy with before first night! Will my goodie get used to her?
Hi and a very warm welcome!! Yes, of course your goldie will get used to the puppy - just make sure she has space where she can get away from the puppy when she needs a bit of peace. When we brought our puppy home we put her crate next to the old dog's bed, and she slept right through the night without crying. I think the fact that he was there made her feel secure, but at the same time she couldnt actually get at him, so there was no danger she would physically disturb him. Good luck, hope your first few days go well!
I'm sure your Goldie will get used to her especially when she learns to mind her manners Both dogs need time away from each other both to have a break and so they don't become reliant on each other. I had a bit of trouble getting my spaniel to get used to being left completely alone as he always had my older lab nearby for comfort. I'm sure you'll all be enjoying each others company in no time
Hello and welcome! No experience myself, as I am still on single puppy number one (well....she is over 5 now) and that was bad enough. It soon passes....I have never heard anyone say they failed to integrate their new pup, but sometimes it can take a few months. Good luck! (invest in a good few bottles of wine I would say - definitely will help) jac
Thank you all for the warm welcome. It's lovely not to feel alone and concerned. I realise my older dog will eventually accept puppy. Both have just been sleeping close by each other so that's a positive. Will stay in touch with the forum.
Hi and welcome. No experience of integrating a puppy into a house with a resident dog, I had two resident cats who were most put out to have to share their home a bouncy puppy . Just give them time and space and I'm sure it will all settle down quite quickly. Good luck and totally agree with the need for a stock of wine - but then I am in France
Well we have survived 24hrs! Up three times last night but that's fine. Older dog still struggling and goes for the puppy at random times. Older dog has lots of time free from puppy as we are working farm so she is outside a lot. What would you put in a puppy Kong at this age?
Welcome! I'm afraid I laughed out loud at the title of your post - but only because I SO recognise that feeling! There were many, many times in Pongo's first few weeks with us that I really, really wondered what on earth I had done and whether I'd made a dreadful mistake. But it all comes right. I'm sure your two will become best mates as soon as they've just sorted out a few doggy house-rules. Can't advise on puppy kongs because we didn't discover the joys of Kong until Pongo was a bit older. Others will know, though. All the best to you and your two, from me and great big enormous yellow labrador Pongo (22 months now) Rosie
Good to see you survived the first night . I've never used a stuffed kong for Juno but for such a young pup I would stick to puppy's regular kibble and reduce other meals to allow for it. I'm sure others will be along soon and can offer better advice for kong fillings.
Welcome to the forum and congrats on your new puppy. Glad that the first night wasn't too bad. As you've probably gathered the "oh no what have I done" feeling is totally normal For a puppy Kong you could try: - mashed potato or sweet potato - seal up the end with a bit of butter, sit Kong in mug, fill with kibble, add water to top and freeze - mashed banana - honey spread on the inside with some kibble added - peanut butter Those things should be tasty without upsetting your pup's tummy. My dog is older and has a cast iron stomach so he gets anything and everything in his kong...leftover risotto, coconut rice, cream cheese, raw mince, salami, melted cheese (put cheese in kong and zap in microwave for 10 seconds or so then cool), bolognaise sauce.... Usually frozen. Best to take it gently with a puppy tummy though
I started off with kongs stuffed with things like natural yoghurt, banana and peanut butter (not too much PB because it's very high calorie). Pumpkin is also good for sensitive tummies. Rice and chicken is a low calorie option, too - make it just as you would for an upset tummy. Cut the chicken up small (or use chicken mince) and pop it in a pan of water with some rice. When it's all cooked and the rice is soft, stick it in the kongs and freeze. These days, I empty a tin of tuna or sardines, including the juice, into a plastic tub, add kibble and water, stir it around and leave it to soak in. I then stuff this mixture into the kongs and freeze. One tin of fish will make eight large kongs in this way. I make up four at a time and keep the rest of the mix refrigerated until the kongs are ready for filling again. I do have two dogs, though, so they go through them twice as quickly! The medium kongs I have, I just stuff with raw mince - generally either turkey mince or a mixture of pork and beef. Again, chicken mince would probably be a good place to start for a puppy tummy - and it's lower calorie, too.
Thank you so much for the kong ideas. I will try these. Survived another night plus older dog being slightly better to puppy. Exhausting though during day keeping an eye on pup. Are you best just to ignore the yelping and crying when you shut puppy in crate?
We have also been for a carry around the farm and been meeting people. Can't ever imagine she will big big enough to walk with me in the months to come!
Hello north farm,Peggy here. Yes your goldie will get used to your new pup. My husband and I have a now 17 week lab pup bitch and we have had her home since she was 8 weeks. Our resident dog lab again is her uncle and he is 4 years old. At first yes it was a shock to him as he had had out attention all to hiself since he was 8 weeks. But when he realised that she was actually stopping for good and not just an overnight stop,he has quickly got used to her.They play well together and she is naughty as she sometimes nips at Jack.However he does tell her off but he is so,placid and tends to tease her aswell.There are touching moments when she cuddles up to him and they just fall asleep.So please don't worry as they will get used to each other.when Jack is not around sometimes for whatever reason Myfi crys for him.And likewise Jack has become protective of her. Have fun with them and enjoy watching them bond. Give them a chance and please don't worry as they will be good together,and it is so much easier to train a new pup when there is already a resident dog at home . Good luck. Peggy. ( Maggie Thomas).
Hello and welcome. I still get that 'what have I done' feeling sometimes - and mine are now two and nearly four! Yes, the puppy will learn a lot from your goldie. It's good that the goldie can have plenty of puppy-free time too. My two play well together, but they prefer their own space when they're asleep, even when they're not in their crates. Have you tried putting the puppy in a rucksack (zipped in!) to carry her around the farm? It's a good way to introduce new sights, sounds and smells. I settle mine in their crates with a kong smeared with a bit of peanut butter inside and also leave the radio on, then retreat! The stuffed kongs that other people have mentioned work well too, especially when they're frozen. Good luck. Can we see some photos?!
Welcome to you! She will grow and grow VERY fast! They are only tiny piddling bundles for two minutes
