Definitely not. My boy hated the puppy as much as my girl did Playing looks and sounds violent, but it's really not. Dogs have very effective weapons in their mouths and, if they want to, can do a lot of damage in a very short space of time. During play, you'll probably see the dogs take it in turns to be "winning"; they will put themselves on their backs, which never happens in a fight. You might also notice the odd shake; this means the game is over, and you should see the other dog shake as well. Another game might start up almost immediately, though We had a breakthrough yesterday; Willow and Luna played for ages, outside. They've played inside before, but that's more because they're forced into a small area, so they have to interact in one way or another. Outside, Willow has far more options for moving away, but she chose to play. It was lovely Shadow was most bemused, that his two playmates were ignoring him!
Thank you for this Snowbunny. Pleased your two girls played outside yesterday. Feels light years away that that may happen here. Still micro managing their interactions. Will be observing them carefully. Sky does seem a lot more interested in Red. She is also brighter now she is on the Rheumocan and is reestablishing her daily walks with DH so reckon she is feeling better in herself.
Yesterday was not such a good day with both dogs. They ate their kongs together ok and sat together when I was doing some training with Red but involving Sky too - so food activities are fine and both dogs happy to be alongside each other. During the evening I kept trying to get Red settled on her bed but she kept wanting to bite Sky's collar. Sky was not impressed and we had to go to her rescue several times. At one point Red showed her teeth at me which I found alarming. We put her in her crate. Left her a few minutes, then let her out - she immediately started pestering Sky again so back in crate. Did this 4 times altogether, then she settled in Sky's bed and went to sleep. Sky was lying by us then so didn't seem bothered. Have to say, felt totally deflated and still wondering if this is ever going to work. Red is obviously teething at the moment - notice she has got her new back molars - she is also chewing more on her chewy things. Does this make a difference? DH says she will learn and thinks the 'time out' in her crate is the right thing to do. Is he right? Don't know what to think anymore. Feel this just creates tension but probably only for me. DH as positive as always.
Yes, he's right. The progress is never smooth, it's always a bit backwards and forwards with young dogs. You are expecting a lot of Red. She is very young. My pups are very, very lively until about nine months old. Eating together is very good indeed, I separate my three for food and for Kongs, otherwise the pup simply pinches it all! She'll take the other two's Kongs, sit on two and eat the other . .
I bet they just let her as well! Whenever we have Basil he steals all of Stanleys toys, barges him out of the way to get to the water bowl and just jumps all over him and Stanley just sits looking a bit sad about the whole thing and waiting for his turn
Yes, she makes the most of her puppy license! Zaba is a HUGE entire male and she's allowed to take his food! Mind you, he's never let her jump on his back, he does have some standards lol! .
Ooh, my two would not be happy if Luna tried to steal their food or kongs! Although, having said that, it did make me chuckle a couple of weeks ago when Luna was too tired to eat her (medium) kong, so Shadow left his own (large) kong to steal hers, at which, she immediately got up and took his. The look on his face was priceless! Played, fool! We've progressed to all dogs having their bowls down together, instead of Squidge being fed in her pen. I stand guard, just in case she finishes first and decides to try her luck, but so far, so good, and she just tries to lick her way through the bottom of her bowl until their other two have finished, and she can check to see if they've left anything. Like that's ever going to happen. As @Boogie says, @Atemas, you really are asking for a lot from what is still a baby. Things will work out, but you really need to take a breather and look at how far you've come, rather than how far is left to go. Read through this thread from the beginning and see how much she's already learnt; far more than a stupid human baby would in the same length of time
Yes @snowbunny you are right, I am impatient. Only a week ago I was feeling trapped behind the baby gate at the kitchen door - there are times when we can be relaxed about leaving this open a bit. I suppose I am very overprotective of Sky because she has been the only dog for so long and so easy going. I am beginning to really love Red. I need to become more patient about the relationship between the two dogs. It must be frustrating for Red that Sky won't play. As they say 'Rome wasn't built in a day'. If we forget to pick Sky's food bowl up, Red will always make a beeline for it and give it a good lick - never anything left in it!
I can really understand you feeling so protective of Sky. My old Bones was such a sweetheart, and Poppy was just too much for him... I wondered whether I had made a big mistake and ruined the last months or years of life he had with us. But within a few months they became great friends. Hang in there.
Artemas, try to relax and enjoy your puppy. Cut her some slack. Find things to laugh at instead of stressing. Trust me - before you know it she'll be an old dog and you'll wonder how it ever went by so fast. You'll long to have these puppy days back again.
So true indeed. With Cassie now just over one year old, it's hard to believe how for we've come. At the time when they're little they are so full on you can think it's going to stay that way, but it doesn't. @Atemas, the first time she didn't bother to chase the broom when I swept the floor I felt quite sad, a bit like the kids leaving home
It's well worth persevering and you've made great progress already. Don't expect too much in the way of play from Red; they can be good companions without necessarily rushing around playing together. We had Wispa as a puppy when our other two dogs were about 10 and 12 and they all became good friends, even though I had some misgivings about a puppy being too much for the older dogs. Wispa learnt to respect their space and not overdo her exuberance when they were feeling a bit creaky, although I also used crate time too when necessary. I don't remember ever having to worry about Wispa wandering off in the woods because she just tagged along with the other two, so always stayed close and learnt recall very easily. She missed them very much when we lost first Callum, then Amber. Since becoming 'senior dog' Wispa has become more protective, though.
Took Red to the Vets yesterday for weighing, flea and worm treatment. She was very good in the waiting room and so many people came to say hello. She did leap up but I am encouraging the 4 paws on the floor rule and she did respond quite well. We had quite a long wait but she was very good. When we went into the vet nurses room, there were 3 people in there - the vet nurse, a student vet nurse and a work experience student. It made Red pull like a steam train to get in there! She was so excited and OTT. I just said I'd like to focus her a bit and we played a game of touch. Was so proud at how she calmed down and then allowed the student vet nurse to look at her. She did grab the vet nurses sleeve at one point but overall a really good visit. I will definitely use the touch game in other distractable situations.
Oh this reminds me of when Coco went for vaccinations - there was a work experience girl in there. The vet said to her "would you like to stroke him?" She had pinned herself into the corner of the room and shook her head, "no thank you". Wrong area for work experience I think.. Red did very well with all those people in there.
Gosh! I still struggle with Benson at the vets. He loves it there,..full steam ahead and hellohellohellooooo!!! I will never forget when he destroyed a whole display...which had a large black stuffed dog. I was completely frazzled and embarrassed. Never saw the stuffed big black dog again.. Bramble on the other hand is as good as gold. She fell asleep in the consulting room last time. Casper is also good, just waits patiently for everyone to feed him biscuits...and they do! I don't worry anymore. As long as Benson doesn't disturb/stress any ill dogs/cats, then the rest is quite arbitrary as far as I'm concerned..after all we are at a vets..and aren't they supposed to like dogs? I am not sure it is a good idea for people to come up and say hello though, unless course permission is sought first. At our practice, even the vet nurses ask if it is OK to say hello of give them a biscuit, unless they are treating whichever dog I am bring in.
Could visualise Benson at the Vets - made me snigger . They did ask except for the receptionship who checked us in, she then rushed found the counter to come and say hello!! She was gushing 'isn't she gorgeous?' Red had been sitting until that point so I quickly wrapped my arms round her and steered her gently back into a sit. I do wish everyone used a softly, gently approach - would make life so much easier . Sky always loves the Vets - reckon it's because she never had treats unless we went there. Looking back Sky was such an easy dog. Think we deprived her really . She now gets lots of treats and kongs now we have Red - she gets so so excited when the kongs come out .
Our vet isn't softly gently at all - he really gets Mollie excited, then says 'she's very excitable isn't she?' Still, at least she's not afraid of the vets - she loves him! .
