Teaching 2 year old Doodle to play with new puppy

[Kimberly Daisy Kalli]

A few days ago, we added a new puppy to our family.  Our 2 year goldendoodle (Daisy) is slowly adjusting to her new sister.  The biggest challenge has been that the puppy keeps nipping at Daisy and steeling things from her.  Daisy will not growl at her (so far) but looks very annoyed.  The puppy keeps inviting play and when  Daisy starts to play she hits with her paws and pounces.  We want to make sure the puppy is not injured.  It seems like we are constantly separating them or refereeing.   Any suggestions?

[Kimberly Daisy Kalli]

Kalli is 17 weeks now.  About 3 weeks ago is when she finally started "mellowing out" and letting Daisy have a bit of peace.  They play really well together now and both are nice and tired by the end of the day.  For a few weeks at the beginning, I wondered if we made the right decision.  Now, I'm positive.  We are still waiting to catch them really snuggling each other.  Kalli tries to snuggle up to Daisy, but after so many weeks of being attacked by the fluffy monster, Daisy just doesn't trust her yet. :)

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

I think what you went through is typical with adding a new dog.  It was crazy when our doodle came home and I did question whether is was a good decision. But as you said, that period did not last for very long and hesitation turns into pure happiness!

[Carla, Lucca and Izzy]

Lucca and Izzy now lay in the same dog bed during the day and sleep together. I slept in the guest room last night because I wasn't feeling well and both of them PLUS the cat slept with me. That's progress!!!!

[Carla, Lucca and Izzy]

haha...I laugh about this because we thought we got the mellow female!!! At least that's how she was at the breeders also. I think they give them doggie drugs so we don't see the "real" deal:)

He will mellow but not for awhile. 4 month old Izzy is just starting to listen when we tell her not to jump on 9yo Ben. Lucca doesn't seem to care.

[Kimberly Daisy Kalli]

I'm happy to report that our doodles are doing very well together now!  Daisy is 2 yrs. old and Kalli is now 18 weeks old.  They play together very well now and finally started snuggling each other (without Kalli biting Daisy's ears) this week.  It is so much fun to see them play in the snow together.  They are even doing well on our walks together.  We love having 2 doodles in our family!

[Carla, Lucca and Izzy]

Isn't it wonderful....so glad to hear they've settled in. Lucca and Izzy have done the same. I can't imagine not having 2 anymore!!

[Julie, Boomer, Milo & Casey]

I am holding out hope that I will say that same thing soon, Carla.  :-)

[Carla, Lucca and Izzy]

You will. Believe me, it WILL get better. It truly isn't easy at first. I can now leave them home alone for a couple hours and all will be fine:)

[Julie, Boomer, Milo & Casey]

I love to read your updates because I'm hanging on to the hope that at 18 weeks, I'll be saying the same thing.  We are still experiencing constant play when Milo is out of his crate and/or ex-pen.   He will NOT leave Boomer alone.  There can be duplicate toys and bones but they both have to have the SAME one.   The were playing quietly tonight (which was nice) but then I took them outside and from across the yard, I saw a 70lb dog (Boomer) come charging toward Milo and it scared me to death.    If its not one, its the other and its constant.   I want to see them both laying in the same room without noticing/caring what the other is doing.    Were your two constantly at eachother until Kalli started to mellow a tad?   I really think Milo and Boomer are still fighting for the alpha position.  

[Kimberly Daisy Kalli]

Hi Julie,

Yes - it was constant rough playing until about 2 weeks ago.  It was driving us CRAZY!  Daisy is really laid back and mostly lets Kalli have her way, but there are certain things she will not budge on (like sitting in her favorite chair - which is the only piece of furniture the dogs are allowed to be on at our house).  Things are so much better now.  Now, every time I look at the two of them together (playing or just snuggling) I am so glad that we have 2 doodles.  Before I wondered if we made the wrong decision several times a day...  Hang in there!  It gets better.

[Suzann, Rosey & Bandit]

Yay!! I am so glad to hear things are going so well!  I am going to have to go check your page for some photos of all the doodle love;)

[Nelson, Rufus & KO]

Agreed. I doubted the decision hourly. Now I would not change a thing. Two months later, they are best buddies. They still have their moments but don,t we all.