Puppies and adult dogs

wendle · #1 06/13/10, 04:15 PM

Just thought this would be an interesting topic for discussion.

When adding a new pup to the household (apx 7-10 weeks) do you let the adults correct as needed? Do you sort of protect the pup from situations at first? Do you try to control exposure to make sure the adult doesn't pick on puppy?
With the protecting pup from situations, I'm thinking sort of on the lines of a dog who may not be so good with puppies and/or other dogs.
If the other dog is patient and seems to like pups, then of course it isn't really an issue.
What about feeding time? Do you feed separate? Water?

Willowynd · #2 06/13/10, 08:57 PM

I keep new pups separate from all except for motherly bitches and playful males until they are at least 6 months old. From the time the pup hits the door rank is kept. The older dogs are taken care of first, fed first, go out first, etc. If I see anything other than play, I step in. Puppies spend most of thier time with me. You want the pup to form a bond with you- not with other dogs. Protecting pups from potentially dangerous situations....always. They need to be able to know they can trust you and that you will be a strong leader and control the situations so they can gain confidence and feel the freedom to have no fear. A strong leader does not let anyone in the pack beat up on, stare at or put down another. Now when they get older (especially if unaltered) then there may be some situations where the dogs will try to work out rank- but again, I am there to sort rank and make everyone stick to it. If I see a higher ranking member for instance put head over lower ranked member and lower ranking member does not submit, I step in immediately tell the low ranking member down. In a multi-dog household you need to be observant so order is kept and all can be confident and able to relax.
Feeding, I feed all same sex dogs separately at all times. Food is the one thing that will cause challnges for rank. Opposite sex dogs, I can feed together, but rarely do. Water, is always available to all, no disputes over water so that is not an issue.

wintrrwolf · #3 06/13/10, 09:09 PM

I always monitor behavior between them even if I have one that is "good" with puppies. Unfortunately for me I have to feed 2 of my dogs separate they are food protective when it comes to dogs around their food. So morning routine of breakfast is a bit involved. But since I have 2 that are on puppy food ... I always monitor behavior just to keep it from getting out of hand. example: my 2 yr old Chihuahua(Nacho) was playing with 2 month old mini Dachshund(Bambi), Bambi bit Nacho to hard and he reprimanded her, they went back to playing she bit him again and he really reprimanded her at which point I corrected him, but I was monitoring them the whole time so I knew when to intercede.

Agree with Willow..they should always be monitored, makes the difference between ending up with a fearful dog or a confident dog. Beside the mother of the pup would be there since she isnt that role falls to you.

Ravenlost · #4 06/13/10, 10:53 PM

Any new dog, no matter the age, spends the first week or so crated...well, cats too! We place our large crate in the living room so that the animal is exposed to the other dogs, but still separated. Usually puppies are only crated for a few days...older dogs may take longer (although it's usually new grown cats that take longest). They are gradually given free supervised time with the other dogs until we are sure how everyone is going to behave.

We have one female, Brenna, a spayed three-year-old Huskey mix that mothers any and everything that comes into the house...including baby chicks! No matter the age or species of the animal in the crate Brenna will keep careful guard over it and not let the other dogs near the crate.

Oh, we allow the older dogs to "train" the younger ones, but under our watchful eyes always.

wendle · #5 06/14/10, 07:01 AM

Thanks everyone for the thoughts on pups. I just sold some pups and of course am sort of like a mother hen as to how they are doing in their new homes.
Recently I noticed one of the pups crated with another dog who is known to be dog aggressive, and just not a stable dog overall. He also will kill chickens, and is overly rough on his stock, very grippy.
He was picking on the pup over water. Of course right away I told her about it and asked her not to crate pup with another dog like that for any reason, or any length of time. She generally is pretty good with her dogs, so I surprised to see this. I would like to follow up with advice hopefully without offending her too much.
Any ideas on web sites for raising pups in a multi dog household?
I am also planning on sending a letter to her about why pup shouldn't be exposed to the other dog without proper supervision. It's good to see opinions on this as I wasn't sure if it's just me being over protective of my pups.