Puppy prep questions?

SheepOfBlue

Premium Member
So I realize I have to re-puppy proof a bit as I have loosened up as Sca has become better behaved :yes: but....

Never had two dogs other than a guest. Do I need to keep an extra eye on Sca or will he just behave with his new brother. He is pretty friendly but I would worry a bit about him running the little guy over when he goes on a bender :eek2:

Food I am sure I will have to separate them and Sca is a hoover.

Toys can they mostly share? The pup will likely get a super soft frisbee that Sca would destroy but overall...

Crate. I seem to recall it is best to separate them. I have one Sca outgrew for the start but as they get bigger if there is room can they share when they go to Mom and Dad's? (Sca is free roaming at night and stays on the bed now that it is cooler)

What am I forgetting?
 
Mine all have there own crate for sleepies, Cosmo was a bit rough with the pup at first, but then reilized pretty quickly he had to be more gentle, then actually the pup became the more agressive play monster, now they romp together like full adults even though stormy is pretty small in stature still. they had a massive high speed collision the other night out in the field one was chasing a ball the other a frizzbee and they wern't watching each other scared the heck out of both my wife and I the older larger one was actually the worse for wear from it. the pup is still pretty flexible and boucned right of and off she went, I think Cosmo was seeing stars asa he just layed there like WTF and finally got up wobbling a bit for a few minutes, till he got his feet back under him, It was quite the impact it got me running to them.

Food goes in seperate locations in the same room and I have to monitor
eating usually not a problem as I am having breakfast too, when the pup need a seperate meal later in the day I shut the other two out of the room. Treat time can be a real competition though as well as trying to work 2 at once doing obidience together, but it does work. about the only thing they might get into a scrap over is rawhide chew bones and then it doesn't matter if there are 5 out for 3 dogs they all want the one the other one got, period.
 
1) Puppy should be crated for sure. Daytime when you are not there, and at night - best is in your room. I don't think you need to crate Sca again, but just control the play for awhile. Sca will have to learn his manners and understand that this is a baby. If you can't watch them, separate or put pup in crate.

2) Definitely separate at feeding. Sca in his regular spot, and the pup in the crate.

3) I assume Sca is up on his shots, etc. so there is no issue sharing toys. In fact, its a great way to get them to bond together.

Watch Sca for changes in behaviour. Jealousy is a possibility, and you might find some "guarding" of food and toys going on. Or he'll just turn into the best big brother ever, and take pup under his wing.

Good luck!
 


Well...Sca is such a great dog,honestly.It's the pup I am sure you will have to curb the enthusiasim with.I know here,when Trapp came home,he was always after Earnhardt. But they were just so awesome together. I watched them,especially when Trapp was so little.But in no time,as he grew they just did grat together. I really don't stress to much. I think I would if I knew the older dog had issues.


Food I am sure I will have to separate them and Sca is a hoover.


And again...I simply do not seperate any dog here. They learned early on to behave at meal times.Not once did I ever seperate any puppy from the kitchen area. It's time that maybe Sca learns not to hover & swoop in for the dish. These guys here all eat together,it's not to late to teach simple manners.Sca should be VERY easy to curb his eating habits.I again..unless I KNOW for sure there is going to be issues,I simply do not stress about meal times. They know thier boundries,and they mind.Easy..peasy~


Toys can they mostly share? The pup will likely get a super soft frisbee that Sca would destroy but overall...

I think its nice to have those "special" toys for the new pup. I always kept those in thier crates.As Earnhardt would,and still could if he got to them,and just make them nasty with drool. But other than that,again they need to learn to share & play nice.

Crate. I seem to recall it is best to separate them. I have one Sca outgrew for the start but as they get bigger if there is room can they share when they go to Mom and Dad's? (Sca is free roaming at night and stays on the bed now that it is cooler)

If Sca is free roaming at night,then he should be left as is.As far as the pup at night,most definately crate,until you feel he can be trusted and is trained. When you are gone,the pup should go to his den,and it does come in handy for those moments,they both need a break from one another. But I would definately not upset Sca's world by crating.

What am I forgetting?[/QUOTE]
 
:lol: you under estimate Sca's food obsession when we go to my parents if the bear's food is out he can eat half a bowl before I can grab him :rolleyes2:. Otherwise thanks everyone.
 
I separate mine for their meals...it means that I stay in control of their intake and just heads off food aggression before it can start. Emma is quite food obsessive so it's just the right thing here. Every group of dogs has a different dynamic. Newton eats slow....Zoey eats picky...Sasha and Emma eat EVERYTHING....Figaro is too soft and would let others steal his food...etc.

Crate the puppy...and be prepared for Sca to act AFRAID of a little pup to start with....and yes they are going to crash into each other at some point and Sca will likely run the pup over a few times until they get it worked out. But they will work it out.

Don't forget to keep your camera and video ready ALL THE TIME. We must have updates.:biggrin2:
 
You ought to see us at mealtimes. Five Shelties, three with the desire to eat everyone else's. At least once a week, Layla gets shouldered out of her meal and we have to re-feed her. Somebody has to referee or else! :dead:

I have lovely lead-free, hand made blue pottery bowls. Since they're always scattered about the living room and kitchen, I wanted something that was at least aesthetically pleasing.
 
Ours are feed at the opposite ends of the kitchen. When Parker was here we had to watch him, he wanted to sneak and get Zak's too and Zak would let him. Maggie will not allow another dog getting to her bowl.

As far as play goes supervise for a while. Parker had no problems playing with the big boy Zak. Zak was really good with him and if any roughness was there it was because of Parker.
 
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