Is there such a book? Or can you give me any tips?!

[Becky and Wilson]

I'm getting concerned as to what to do when we get our cocker pup as she will be our second dog into the house!   I was wondering if there is a book with info on what to do when the new dog arrives!  If not has anyone got any tips?!

I was thinking maybe we should get someone to look after wilson for the day so the pup can have a good sniff about her new home withought big scary wilson stepping on her, but then would wilson be put out when he returned to find a new dog in his house?! (He's great with other dogs whether they are in our house or not!  He loves everyone!).

Thanks

Becky

[Gilly]

I wouldn't send Wilson away  I would bring pup home, put it in the garden and then let Wilson out to go and "find" his new best friend  he will be more likely to accept the puppy. I also wouldn't worry about size either, for some reason I know 3 people who have had or have Cockers and Danes, they seem to be a really good match  ;)Jean Donaldson does a book called "felling outnumbered, how to manage and enjoy your multi-dog household" which you might find interesting.

[Becky and Wilson]

Thanks Gilly!  I think the size is what worries me the most!  Maybe if I get OH to walk Wilson while I go pick the pup up he won't be too playful and bouncy around the pup! 

Good idea to put the pup in the garden and then let wilson go out to find her!  He might be like....look what I found in the garden mummy, can we keep her! 

I'll have a look for that book!  I knew I'd seen a title like that before!  Just couldn't remember the exact name!

[Becky and Wilson]

I found the book (actually by Patricia McConnell) but there were some reviews to say it was mainly common sence!  So thought I'd give it a miss and just take all of your suggestions fellow multi dog household COLers!

So anymore tips or Do's and Don'ts!

[Penelope]

Trust me, it doesn't get easier!  When we got Buffy we were really worried about her being so small compared to Suki and Josie.  Now we have Poppy and she is about the size Buffy was at 3 weeks! 
However, each time we have introduced a new puppy, we have always taken pup into the garden and then taken the rest out to meet the puppy.  It has always worked for us.  Now Poppy is coming out for walks as well, we do have to keep reminding Suki that Poppy is NOT a rabbit, but we had the same when Buffy first came out for walks, so we know it will be OK.
The quickest lesson for the puppy to learn is to get out of the way when the big dogs are running - but after being bowled over on wet grass a few times, they soon learn to move when they hear the stampede heading towards them!!!!!  :005:We never leave the puppy alone with the big dogs though - it would just be tempting fate.  Immediate use of a crate has worked for us too .
Just enjoy the stages of puppyhood and try not to worry too much.  I am sure it will all be fine!
Good luck.

[clairep4]

Bella had already met Zorro before he came home as we went to visit the breeder when he was around 6 weeks old (and he scared Bella by charging at her relentlessly and being very cheeky!  ).

On the big day, we took Bella with us to pick him up and then they travelled home in the car with Bell in the back behind the dog guard and Zorro on the back seat with one of us. We put him in the puppy pen at home initially just so he could get his bearings in that little space, and let Bella have a sniff, and then we put the pair of them in the garden.

It's hard as you feel so protective over the pup (and Bella's another cocker and a teeny one at that) but we found the best thing was to just let them get on with it. Bella soon started putting him in his place (very scary when it first happened as she really pinned him to the floor and he screamed blue murder but actually when we picked him up afterwards, he didn't even have any saliva on him so she'd clearly not actually touched him). She spent 3 days telling him the do's and don'ts and then that was that - they've not looked back and he rarely does anything to upset her - she was obviously a very good teacher!

[Vivienne]

Whistler was 16 weeks when Jake arrived, within 2 secs Jake pinned Whistler to the floor!! Things have improved Whistler is 9 months and Jake (border collie) 7 months and Whistler is dominant dog. Whistler can get under him. My niece bought her chichi/yorkie cross in and it backed both mine into a corner. It was as if they thought it was an animated toy gone bad. Size really dosen't matter!!!

[Hurtwood Dogs]

I obviously did it the other way around - Dave was here and just under 4 months old when my 2.5 yr old Weim Storm moved in.. BUT I did take him to her house first and was very worried about that. When we got there I went in first to meet her then took Dave in and she just sniffed him a lot, he screamed very loudly as he'd never seen such a big dog then she lost interest and they've been fine ever since. I think small pups can have VERY loud voices to warn big dogs that they are scared and most big dogs seem to respond to that noise and be careful with them. I suspect the first day will be the hardest as that's when Wilson will be most interested but I'm sure it will all be fine. I do have a separate area for Dave that I put him in still (he's now over 5 months) as he can be a real pain in the neck and VERY persistently wrestle/nibble/jump on her head and would happily annoy her for hours if I let him and I don't want her to feel she can't get away from it if she needs to. I also leave them with a baby gate between them when I go out. They are gradually spending more and more time together but with a 5 yr old boy and toys EVERYWHERE too, there is also another very good reason for 'Dave's Place' (the kitchen with a baby gate across it)

Good luck, can't wait to see the photo's and want to see some of Wilson too! I haven't seen any of him and he sounds  !

Hannah xx

[Becky and Wilson]

Thanks for the replies!  I don't think I'll be able to take Wilson to see the pup first though!  The Breeder would have a fit if I turned up with Wilson in tow!!!   

I know from when Wilson was a pup and he got bowled over by a big dane at a meet how a pup can scream!  Oh my!  Being our first pup we were so worried and it seemed to go on for ages this blood curdling squeel! I'm not looking forward to hearing that again!

Well I feel a little more confident about what to do on the pups first day!  Even though I am a little premature!  She's not due to be born until 3rd December!     I'm just getting excited already!

Just for you hannah!  It's an old one of him but one of my fav's!  And I can't wait to post a pic of him next to a cocker pup!

[Hurtwood Dogs]

OHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!

Think I'm in love.. HE IS GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!! Lucky you! 

How old is he? I don't know anything about Danes what are they like to have around? How high is he against you?

Sorry for being nosy but he's just SO fab 

Hannah x

[Becky and Wilson]

Oh thanks Hannah! I think he's gorgeous too! 

And don't worry I love talking about him so I don't mind you being nosey!

He's only about 7 months in the pic and is 16 months now!  Last time he was weighed (when we took him for boosters) he was about 11 Stone!  his back comes just below my hip (and I have fairly long legs! 34" inside measure!).  He managed to jump up our 6 foot gate and look at the kids on the front the other day....they then ran off screaming!    He's really lazy though and sleeps til mid day at the weekends!  They also think they are lap dogs and try to park their behind on your lap and gradually the rest of them ends up on the sofa!  He's a gentle giant!  As long as he doesn't stomp on anyone when he wants to play!

[bibathediva]

i can vouch for that..hes a gentle giant...as i have met him in person 

he is lovely    and poor boy was surrounded by hyper cocker's...and actually looked a bit scared 

he was quite happy to plod along with them

if i ever had a BIG dog it would have to be a Great Dane

[*sammy*]

wilson is lush!!!!

any more pictures please

[Annette]

He's a real beauty.

I I love his interpretation of the "down" command. I think he has only four tiny points in contact with that bench!

[MontyMoo]

Oh my......I think I love him!! 


Can I put in a special request for more Wilson pics??  You posted some a little while ago with Wilson at a DanesOnLine Meet (I think  ) and he is so very handsome (but like Father Ted said...."these ones are little, those (Great Danes in the pictures) are far away!!  )


Can we have some more pics dedicated entirely to the gorgeous Wilson!! [img width= height= alt=SmileyCentral.com" border="0]http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/23/23_31_7.gif[/img]

Jen x