expanding the family, any advice?

LovesCobs

LovesCobs

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Hi, I currently have an 18 month lemon working cocker. the plan was always to have another this year and I am on a list for a liver working cocker with pups due in 3 weeks (so end of August for bringing home), though no guarantee of colour (she had a real mix last litter). breeder (kennel club registered and has cockers and retrievers from working lines) is re-homing one of her Bitches who had a litter earlier this year. she comes from Openshaw and Tyres working lines and is 3.
so that will be 3:D
any advice on settling in? I'm thinking of picking up the re homing girl as soon as, so she can settle in well before the arrival of a pup.
any advice or any advice on good sites/books for settling in older dogs, I have only introduced pups before.
 
Will they both be females?

Same as both things, don't force them to be together and don't expect them to be best buds from the off, allow them their own space/an escape route if they need it and be prepared to step in if there is any argy-bargy.

No shared food or toys in the beginning as this is the source of most scraps!

Areas to watch are beds, elevated areas such as the sofa or the bed and doorways (who goes through first).

Oh and going from one to three in a short space of time will be a bit of a culture shock!!
 
CaveCanem said:
Will they both be females?

Same as both things, don't force them to be together and don't expect them to be best buds from the off, allow them their own space/an escape route if they need it and be prepared to step in if there is any argy-bargy.

No shared food or toys in the beginning as this is the source of most scraps!

Areas to watch are beds, elevated areas such as the sofa or the bed and doorways (who goes through first).

Oh and going from one to three in a short space of time will be a bit of a culture shock!!
Click to expand...

thanks, I will crate them when I'm not in, which can also be their own space as well and was thinking of removing any toys etc (though my current girl can be possessive over a sock she's found!) she's used to next doors dog coming in to take her ball/toys and there only been one proper disagreement which I could easily step in on. I've taught her to wait until I say its ok to eat and only eat her food (my friend has a retriever who comes to stay a lot).
I'll make sure they only come on the sofa when asked then and watch the door space (I currently have her sit and wait in the room when I open a door, are you suggesting I tell them who can come first or see how the order settles?)
I know what you mean about culture shock, I went from 2 ponies to 4 in a couple of weeks when I moved last year! I have time to change my mind and wait for a pup if I want to (breeder has said that would be no problem) and there's always the chance she wont have any liver pups in which case I will be waiting 6 months as she wont be having any more cockers this year.
they are both girls, the pup I would have either.
 
Just remember if bitches fall out they take longer to get over it than dogs.
The pecking order needs to come from them, tempting as it is to make it how you want it to be! If you are always alpha, and confident and decisive with them then they won't stress about who is in charge. We have 7 bitches here on the farm and they aren't all best mates but rub along together well.
 
With the door thing yes, I would let them sort it out amongst themselves but just be aware that is where some argy-bargy can break out. You first, obviously!

Agree with Clodagh that bitches can sometimes be trickier than dogs.
 
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