A new brother

[Cathy C. Bennett]

HELP!

Harley is two yrs old, and the BEST dog I could  have ever asked for - He's attended doggie day camp since he was 5 months old, very social. very loving. So I thought "Why not get him a brother". I found Leo - 5 months old, nuetered also, and thought this was a great match, and brought him home three days ago. Harley loved Leo for the first three hours, then things started to change.....

 

I am so afraid that Harley's personality is going to change forever, please someone tell me that his new traits of growling at Leo whenever he is around a toy or me or food will decrease instead of escalate. The only reason I even considered another dog was based on the gentle nature of the Goldendoodle and the sweet dispostion that Harley has had since he was 9 weeks old.

 

I feel that I have ruined a great dog. I am not afraid, just concerned, and I want to make the right decision in disciplining in the beginning so I don't cause unneccessary stages of this "bonding" time period. Too many books, and on line research engines share conflicting advice, I'd rather hear from other multiple doodle owners.

HELP!  

[Sally loves Maple & Lucky]

Maybe Harley feels threatened? It may have seemed like a visit, but the visitor never went home.

All I can tell you is what I would do in this situation.
Follow the basics of the Alpha pack -
Everything is done showing the Alpha (Harley) priority status. His bowl goes in front of him first. He gets the treat before Leo. If he likes the car then Harley goes in first. Harley gets pets and brushed before Leo.
Also, always respect their individual space - their crate. They shouldn't share a crate or go into each others crates. That is the one thing that is theirs alone right now. If Harley isn't in a crate then maybe a bed that is available when the puppy is crated. Like a special place all to Harley.
I would ignore the growling, not disciplining him, rather put him outside for diversion. But don't put him out holding the puppy.
I think it's mindset for now that Harley needs extra respect and passive discipline. It's going to be hard not to show over affection to that cute puppy, but be strong.

[Cathy C. Bennett]

You have become my new bff! Thanks so much for those encouraging words of wisdom. the entire family is making Harley the Alpha dog. Believe it or not, we all are doing exactly what you suggested; everything gets done with Harley first. I've never had to really discipline Harley (I'm telling the truth) so passive discipline is just what we do! I guess I need to know that I'm not alone, and this will get better. Thanks again

[Lindsey, Lee, Whopper and Simba]

We just added a second a few weeks ago...while our transition has been fairly smooth, we do have occasions where Whopper does not want to deal with Simba and will growl or just get a little nasty which is very unlike her. As she has never even come close to hurting him, we let her claim her space and things within reason. We really want them to work out their issues on their own as much as possible. When she gets frustrated and then settles down again, we try to give her special time and attention. I think if you just continue what you are doing, you will soon see those special moments when your two will snuggle up together for a nap or share the same toy/treat. It has only been three days so I think you will find things improve every day. Next you'll have the issue of them wanting to play and wrestle ALL the time!

[Cathy C. Bennett]

Thank you so much - I am really starting to feel much better. I had an unrealistic expectation (never owning two dogs before) dispite with others told me, so when Harley started his antics, I was mortified. I appreciate your time and comforting words - thanks again for sharing

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

I really wouldn't worry Cathy. Not yet. As I posted in the forum, it took my chihuahua a while to warm up. He was pooping on the floor, growling, hiding in his crate, etc...
I gave him his food first, lotsa treats, he got special car rides, etc...within 2 weeks they were playing like best buds. And they LOVE each other now. And he's a chihuahua (in my opinion not as friendly and playful as a doodle).

[Jersey, Jasmine, Jypsy and Diane]

When I brought Jasmine into our home there were already two other dogs, Jersey 1 1/2 yr and Jessie a 12 yr old lab. Jersey pretty much ignored Jasmine the first day and Jessie was curious but growled at her if she did anything she didn't like. Jasmine would immediately stop. It was just her way of setting the rules of the house. Within a week they were all buddies. Jessie has since died, but Jersey and Jasmine are joined at the hip.

Jessie and Jasmine playing

Jersey and Jasmine

[Lynda Kamrath]

Perfect photo of joined at the hip! I still can't tell the difference between Jasmine and Jersey.

[ej]

We have a golden (4.5 yo) and a GD (2+ yo).

Two years ago, when we first introduced GD (10 weeks old male puppy) to our Golden (2.5 yo female dog), she hated him. He was all wiggly and happy, jumping and licking her, and in return he received growls, barks and snarls from her.

She refused to acknowledge his presence as much as she could. She refused to play the toy he played, she refused to drink from the same water bowl, she would seek out a quiet corner, lay down and she wanted nothing to do with him. When he tried to initiate play, she growled at him, and when he pushed on, she flipped him over, pinned him down and her teeth around his tiny neck! We thought she was going to eat him. We intervened a few times, but never once reprimanded her, because it was the puppy who pestered her. Instead we took him away from her so she could have her space and peace, and slowly he figured out to cuddle and play with us. Oh yes, she always gets treats, meal and toys before him. She slept in our room on our bed, while he slept in the adjoining master bathroom behind the child-gate (now they both sleep on the floor next to our bed, or sometimes on our bed together). We make sure he knew that she was the boss of him, and not the other way now. That was the first 2 weeks, and all started to change...

Now they are best friends. He goes wherever she goes, sniffs wherever she sniffs. She brings a toy over to him and initiates playtime, he does the same too. They wrestle, chase, bark/growl and play-bite every day.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

I think 2 weeks is a pretty standard time. After 2 weeks, they don't remember life without their brother/sister and are happy to have a furry friend around :)

[Carla, Lucca and Izzy]

I'm reading all these posts and it makes me feel better. We have had 8 week old Izzy home since Saturday. Lucca was a little aloof Sat then started to play with her on Sun. He did want to hump her and I have been very gentle with him and say "no humping, off". When he plays, if I see if he's getting too rough for Izzy I tell him "gentle" and he seems to calm a little. Today he seems to want every bone or toy she has and he growls at her if she tries to get it. She does back off. I assume this means he is showing her his place as Alpha. My issue is that I can't give Izzy "puppy or baby" toys because Lucca is taking them away and breaking them. She is fine with Lucca's toys but I wanted her to have some age appropriate toys. Doesn't seem to be working.

We are doing the feeding thing with Lucca and Ben first and I have tried to keep Lucca and Ben's (8 yo Golden) schedule as normal as possible. I walk them (Lucca and Ben) 3 times a day.
I give hugs to Lucca first before Izzy but when I walk into the kitchen they both come at me at the same time:) But Lucca gets lots of hugs and love and I constantly praise him for being a good boy and he gets lots of scratches!!!! Ben is kind of out of the picture right now. He doesn't want to have anything to do with Izzy yet. It took him until Lucca was 6 months old to realize that he was fun to play with. So I don't force the issue with him.

Lucca sleeps in our bed, Izzy sleeps in the crate in the kitchen. For the middle of the night potty for Izzy Lucca stays in our room. When she wakes us again at 5:30 he won't let me out of the room without him. So he joins me in getting Izzy out of her crate and greet the morning. During the day they sleep together on the bed and seem to get along as long as Izzy doesn't have what Lucca wants.

I am rambling on. I guess the question is ...is this all ok? Is it ok for her not to have her own toys? I am also going to assume that within the next few weeks all will be fine and they just have to establish the placement.Thanks

[Lynda Kamrath]

All sounds normal to me. Our GD really doesn't like toys so it is no problem there. Harpo (and Hondo before him) always seem to have a toy in their mouths. They grab a toy when they go outside and always carry one around in the house. So far, no destruction. My husband threw out all of Hondo's toys and the puppy has a new batch. Right now we are working on barking. Harpo got potty trained and his new teeth about the same time so those problems are behind us. Oh, by the way, Harpo has not been taken out during the night the last two nights. He gets up about 7:00 in the morning and runs over to his pee spot all on his own. Ahhhh, life is good with the new puppy.

[Carla, Lucca and Izzy]

Thanks Linda. Yay for Hapro...and you!!!! Isn't it wonderful to get to that point!
We've been lucky with Izzy. She has only had a couple accidents in the house since we brought her home on Sat. I'm convinced it's a girl thing!! I bought tons of Nature's Miracle because I went through gallons with Lucca:) It's the night thing that's driving me nuts. She HATES her crate. Last night at 3:30 (after having me up at 1 and 3) she fell asleep on Lucca's bed. I turned the video monitor on her and she slept without a peep until 7am!!! I may nix the crate and let her just sleep in the kitchen. It's gated and safe. Lucca is up with us and the cats are in other places in the house. I can come down around 4 and take her out until she's older.

So, big brother taught lil' sis how to dig a hole yesterday!!!