I have just got a new lab puppy as well as already owning a 4 year old lab. I was just wondering what people's experiences are of having a new puppy with an adult dog, how long did it take them to become pals?
None of mine really liked pups until they lost their puppy (needle sharp) teeth. Just make sure the older dog can get away when they have had enough of being chewed!!
As CC suggests it realy depends on a few things....but the more positive assosiation your older dog has with the puppy the easier and more tolerating the pup will become....u need to make sure the pup is not pestering at any given chance and the older dog gets time out, Use a crate to train the puppy and this way u can keep them seperate until the puppy is biger for safety issues, a big dog is well capable of maiming an irritating puppy.......if the puppy pesters u need to step in as the distraction play toy
i.e play with the puppy yourself......good bonding session can be out in te garden playing with a ball supervised where they can run around together, puppy wont get ball b4 big dog but will enjoy the play and interaction.
Have periods where puppy is tired out and resting beside big dog as a positive reinforcer, so older dog sees puppy is not a constant hyper irritant
But mostly always supervise time together, and dont let bit do get to the stage he needs to reprimand pup himself esp when he is very small, he will take a better telling off when bigger, a grumble from an elder is fine but a snack could cause some damage.
Walk time is also good for bonding as pup is otherwise distracted but still sharing a walk with it's older pal,another positive assosiation.
Wen giving treats make sure puppy is safely in his crate, this way they can be beside each other and puppy cannot pester old dogs for food or treats.
Some dogs of course naturally love and tolerate puppies no end....my mams thick malamute lets them crawl all over her, body slam her, pulls her cheeks and tail and she loves it
They are both dogs. The older dog has had only 1 testicle removed because it hadn't dropped. He is a big softy and is being very gentle with the puppy. The puppy sometimes just pounces on him with teeth and the older one trys to get away. I am trying to make sure he gets peace when needed and they both have crates.
Oh and its not me that is trying to sell one as some people might think.
Ok, nothing urgent then, glad to hear they are not taking lumps out of each other
Keep up with the crates and allow older dog to have time out, you step in when enough is enough and engage the little one.
On another note I would see if you could get his other ball out, in fairness it should have been done at the time of his original neutering despite being a bit more expensive and fiddly, as this may cause problems for him when he is older.
The inside ball is out as it could cause cancer, the vet recommended leaving the other one thats normal attached due to him being a very chunky lab and it could cause him to put on weight.