The New Adventures of Henry Spaniel.

[Christmascinnamoncookie]

Honestly, it took ages for Bear to accept the puppies despite the play videos. He still prefers to be separate from them. I wouldn’t leave them with him. I left a tired Goose with him when I was leadwalking Mitch, but otherwise they’re supervised. I know once they’re not crated, things will be fine, they cwtch together if we’re watching tv but Bear doesn’t love them or seek them out. Give it time, it isn’t a problem that Hugo is acting the big man.

 

[PapaverFollis]

Thank you. I'm trying not to worry about it, I'm just obviously keen that we do get there! There's no need for them to be left together unsupervised ever so we just need to get to chilling together, supervised, at home and able to be walked together and we're golden.

Taking Henry out to the horses with me gives the big boys a break from his presence and means that Henry will hopefully end up being a proper croft dog who can pobble about with us while we do croft jobs. He has a calmer temperament than Oscar and Hugo and seems better suited to pobbling than them.

He just got a short field walk this morning after helping us sort the hay barn. Hay man turned up early so we has to cut him a bit short. We had braved letting him off the long line with both of us there and he was being a very good boy. He enjoyed getting into the long grass in the middle of the field properly and looking for mice. Henry The Mighty Mouse Hunter. But mostly he was running back and forth between me and MrPF like a complete boss.

Video stills so the quality is carp but he has a superb running style...

He's flat out now even with a shorter run. I think helping us sweep up hay was quite taxing.

 

[The Xmas Furry]

PF, remember with equines we usually say it's a year to know them fully, and even settling them in can take a few weeks.
I think you all are doing v well so far, you have plenty of time on your side x

 

[SashaBabe]

OMG he's gorgeous. Looks like he's having fun

 

[Errin Paddywack]

Those ears

 

[Christmascinnamoncookie]

Spaniel ears, I’m dying! Absolutely brilliant!

 

[Pippity]

I've just worked out what his running style reminds me of.

 

[PapaverFollis]

I've just worked out what his running style reminds me of.

View attachment 88686

?

 

[Michen]

How’s the boyo doing? X

 

[PapaverFollis]

Over a week of Henry now! Where did that time go? He's such a dude. I think I can understand to some extent why he might have been given up though. He's very busy. He's busier in the house than he is buzzy outside of it. I think partly he's buzzing off the excitement of my dogs though. Who, despite my best efforts at training a bit of control over the years, are still utterly high on life and quite chaotic in energy. ? Oscar has always had an off-switch in the house but I do remember Hugo took a long time before he could settle himself without being shut in the crate. Henry is more Hugo-like. That's fine. I did try and tell him to stay on his bed when he was having out time the other day but he kept creeping off on his belly to go and look at the big boys in their crates. So I just did a very short stint so he could be successful without us having an argument, then he went back in his crate.

He's also quite mouthy when he gets excited and can be quite vocal when either left alone or thinks he's missing out on something. If you weren't willing to let these things wash over you, a bit, didn't understand them or escalated the situation by being confrontational with him about it, you might get quite stressed out and "The dog has to go" about them I suppose? I don't know. I struggle with the idea that someone obviously creates these problems in the puppy, then the puppy gets blamed for them. Especially when the puppy is quite smart and biddable.

He's doing well on his walks and is just a very sweet, happy little boy though. So we absolutely adore him already to be honest and we'll sort him out. He doesn't have to be perfect here, both my big boys have quirks and inbuilt chaos. He just needs to be controlled enough to be safe and happy. And he will be. Time and patience.

We had them all out of crates last night for half an hour or so. Everyone on a lead. TV on. Oscar immediately went to sleep in an arm chair. Hugo sat next to me and whistled at Henry a bit but eventually settled. Henry sat between MrPF's feet and wiggled for a while, went through a bitey spell but also eventually lay down and was more quiet. He went back in his box to settle properly, had a massive bed digging spell then konked out. This is how we will be progressing this.

This morning Oscar was out of his box when I took Henry past for a wee and they more or less ignored each other bar a teeny sniff. So I think their excitement about playing with each other has eased a little, which is good.

Oscar is much better after his loxicom for a few days, much more cheerful! I got him Riaflex so have started that and will stop the loxicom and see how he goes, using it again if he goes lame.

Mostly all good really.

 

[TheOldTrout]

Henry looks adorable and you're doing a great job with settling him in with your dogs, from the sound of things. I love his flying ears!

 

[PapaverFollis]

His collar and harness arrived!

I went with the Ezydog camo green in the end.... and I actually think it suits him!


He's being a good boy. We have been doing "Disney Dog Time" in the evenings. Disney film on the telly (distraction for us so we don't over-focus on the dogs but not needing any requirement for proper concentration ? we watched Raya and The Last Dragon in three sittings...). All dogs on leads and more or less ignored. Last night they did very well. Oscar and Hugo slept (Hugo still has one eye open to be honest but he got close to sleepy) and Henry was less buzzy and settled to chew a nylabone in little stints. Hugo was not all cross about him having a nylabone, so super progress there! Henry tried to sniff Oscar and get him to interact and Oscar just said "sorry sunshine, it is past my bed time" and no fuss or bother ensued. Hugo was a bit cross that Henry was sniffing Oscar "that's MY big brother, not YOURS!" But he settled when I told him.

I was very pleased with them. Henry cannot seem to settle to sleep outside his crate here though. I know he did with Michen so I don't know what is different here, but until he's back in the crate he just doesn't seem able to switch off and stop buzzing. And even then he really fights it sometimes. We will keep working on it, Hugo was a bit that way out as a younger puppy and he got it eventually.

I have given up on having him the barn for morning stables. He's not tired enough before his walk(s) and doesn't like it when I leave the barn or go into the hay barn. Sland honestly I'm grumpy and just want to get on with sorting the horses! Yesterday he garrotted his back leg with the lead rope three times in a row and I marched him back to the house to be MrPF's office dog instead! ? He then joined in all MrPF's meetings and was a Big Hit. But for evenings stables last night he was very good. A new nylabone, a yakers chew and a whimzees toothbrush and he was reasonably quiet the whole time.

I don't want to walk his little wonky legs off so giving him plenty to do and think about without needing to walk him for two hours a day is key. He's been getting his lunch in a Nina Otteson pyramid and after initially being very confused is now bashing it about like a pro and really enjoying himself. Tires his little brain out too. And I need to think about getting him doing some training. I don't want to play "fetch" with him (look after those legs a bit) but I think teaching him to retrieve will be massively rewarding for him. Recall has to be a priority. And consolidation of the loose lead walking.

Lots to think about but just trying not to get too much on my own case and stress myself out! ? One day at a time and tiny baby steps.

 

[PapaverFollis]

The ears though! ❤

Just had a really successful field run with Oscar and Henry both off lead. Henry started off being obnoxious and barging and barking at Oscar. Oscar gave him three chances then gave him a proper telling off! Henry took it very well and was much more respectful after that. It was quite out if character for Oscar but I think it must have hurt when he went lame the other day and quite frankly he was well within his rights and he applied just the right level of discipline, then backed off. They didn't play after that, just did important spaniel business together. I think they were both happy with that. Oscar showed Henry where the best mud is. Henry showed Oscar how good he is at sticking his head in mouse holes.

So pleased. Oscar didn't go lame. And I can give him some loxicom if he looks a bit sore later.

Henry had his lunch in his Pyramid toy again and is more properly tired than he has been when just getting his walks on his own. At some point we'll have to see how he and Hugo get along. Erk. I think we'll stick to pure spaniel walks for a few days!

 

[ester]

PF I’m just catching up but I’m totally the same as you with the ooh new pets, argh change, you know it will be ok in a couple of weeks and you’ll forget it was ever this stressful situation ?. You’re doing great!

 

[Michen]

Re sleeping outside of crate I was just firm, he was not to come off the bed. Any time he did he was moved straight back onto it. So he just slept rather than sitting upright!

Brill update

 

[Christmascinnamoncookie]

Just an idea re not wearing out little legs-we make Bear sit while we hide a dummy in cover/long grass, then he’s not pelting round so quickly, he has to work/search but isn’t doing the speedy turns of a ball retrieve. Makes him use his brain/nose rather than his legs. I don’t know what it is with spaniels, but even Brig, who’d never been trained, decided he would only retrieve dummies when we introduced them to Bear and Zak. Wouldn’t even look at a ball!

 

[PapaverFollis]

Henry went to the beach today. He helped us do a bit of rock pooling, looking for interesting critters and things. The big dogs don't enjoy this, don't understand why we are mooching around and not walking and race around getting into bother. But Henry was a natural and was quite happy to pootle along, sniffing and investigating. On the sand on the way to and from the rocks he had a good run around. With lots of checking in once he'd got over the initial excitement of a new place. He didn't drink sea water or eat anything dead. A very high standard on behaviour in my books.

He really enjoyed himself. Travelled in the car well. Got hosed and a towelling off once we were home. And was generally a very good boy. I felt a bit bad leaving the big dogs at home but I did say to them that they were spoilt rotten with interesting outings when they were puppies... and it's just Henry's turn now.



Both dog and man are now asleep. ?

Hopefully a settled evening awaits.

Last night we had some quite nice settled out of crate time. Slow progress for Hugo. But he's not going to savage him and I think he will accept him eventually.

 

[AmyMay]

Our dogs love the beach, in fact never met one that didn’t!

Fab pictures xx

 

[PapaverFollis]

All the dogs do love the beach. Oscar and Hugo just find the humans dawdling around in rock pools a bit boring when they could be running on the sand and eating dead things. ? Henry on the other hand loved it and was quite happy to pootle about looking for crabs.

 

[PapaverFollis]

This is looking like progress... unfortunately we can't get him to the beach every day! ?

 

[PapaverFollis]

I did a double spaniel walk on my own! Impossible to get decent pictures, and I basically feel a bit dizzy now. ?

It wasn't without incident. A mild dust up over a feather. And young Henry appears to get a bit snarky and over-threshold snappy (with Oscar and snapping at my hands) at drying off time. I suspect puppy biting behaviour was not managed well or everything has just been an over-excited wrestle in between long waits in his crate... plus if he hasn't had much stimulation/been in his crate a lot he probably finds the excitement of everything a bit much and trigger stacks. Managed it with being calm and strict about everyone sitting down where they are put and waiting their turn. He calms down quickly too and doesn't ramp it up, which is excellent. It is still early days so it is just working out where the lines are currently. Oscar handles himself and Henry well but in future I will dry Oscar first while Henry waits and put Oscar out of the way while drying Henry.

He IS slowly settling though. I'm doing Boundary Games with him and I think even after just a couple of sessions it has helped take the manic edge off him, or maybe he's just relaxing with time. He spent most of Disney Dog Time last night chewing his bone on his bed. Him and Hugo can pass each other in the house without incident but Hugo is inclined to stand over him and growl while he rolls around grovelling on his back, given half a chance. So they are both on leads for Disney Dogs. Though they have had some nicer interactions too. Oscar just sleeps in his armchair and ignores us all.

I think it would be good to get Hugo and Henry out together off-lead but I'm still a bit reluctant. I think they need more time. I also want to walk them together on-lead a few more times before letting them off but MrPF has been so busy there hasn't been much chance. Patience required. Just wish I could report more progress. It feels like he's been here ages but it's actually just over two weeks! So yes. Early days.

He seems to have a bit of a bothersome ear too. Not something Oscar has ever had issues with. I've ordered some ear drops and will consult with vet if necessary. It's just a little darker pink than the other one inside and a bit waxy looking.

He's such a nice little dog though (land shark impressions aside). Just wants to be involved with everything. We had him out while MrPF was cooking yesterday and he was just sitting and watching in between going off and chewing a nylabone for a bit. He's very "oh, what you doing? Can I help? What you doing now? Is it fun? Can I have a go?" ?

I best go and take poor Hugo out. He feels very left out of spaniel walks and needs a special Hugo tidy walk to help him feel better.

 

[Moobli]

When introducing an older puppy (rather than an 8 week old) to a household you expect it to perhaps take a little longer and I am sure you will get there in the end, with all tolerating each other even if they aren't best friends. I have tended to just get mine all out together for a walk immediately when introducing new dogs or pups and so far there haven't been any major mishaps. It helps that my OH is very dog-confident and he instils confidence in me that it will all be ok. Occasionally there are scuffles but we have never had any major problems. The dogs will pick up on your anxiousness so try to exude confidence (even if you don't feel it).
The spaniel walk looks good fun.

 

[PapaverFollis]

When introducing an older puppy (rather than an 8 week old) to a household you expect it to perhaps take a little longer and I am sure you will get there in the end, with all tolerating each other even if they aren't best friends. I have tended to just get mine all out together for a walk immediately when introducing new dogs or pups and so far there haven't been any major mishaps. It helps that my OH is very dog-confident and he instils confidence in me that it will all be ok. Occasionally there are scuffles but we have never had any major problems. The dogs will pick up on your anxiousness so try to exude confidence (even if you don't feel it).
The spaniel walk looks good fun.

I'm writing more anxious than I feel to be honest. In the moment of any happenings I'm not overthinking it and am pretty calm and un-reactive myself. I know I don't write like that! I just kind of know what Hugo can be like so am being cautious rather than feeling anxious if that makes sense.

 

[PapaverFollis]

I kind of feel like I'm observing things I understand but don't have the language to explain!

 

[Michen]

You are doing a fab job. Henry is so lucky x

 

[Christmascinnamoncookie]

I think you’re doing a cracking job, you didn’t rush to throw them together and long term, that’s the right thing to do, IMO. You’ll end up with a happy pack. Proof >
Spaniels should come with a warning ‘Patience required, do not rush!’

 

[scats]

I think you’re doing a cracking job, you didn’t rush to throw them together and long term, that’s the right thing to do, IMO. You’ll end up with a happy pack. Proof > View attachment 89082
Spaniels should come with a warning ‘Patience required, do not rush!’

It took me a few moments to work out which head matched which body! Lovely picture.

PF, Im so glad Henry is settling in well. He’s a lucky boy.

 

[PapaverFollis]

Good news from earlier this evening...

All three boys on a walk together in the field. Henry on his lead for a lap, being very good if occasionally bouncing at the end of it! But mostly busying on a loose lead and checking in for treats... Hugo complete blanked him the whole time.

So at the end we let Henry off his lead too and he zoomed around. And Oscar zoomed around. And Hugo pretended they didn't exist.

And Henry was So Happy. And I feel like a weight has lifted a little. Hugo didn't go and batter him. Reluctant acceptance and pretending he doesn't exist is absolutely fine. And Henry didn't leap all over Hugo either. Which is showing a good deal of wisdom for a buzzy little dog to have! ?

No pictures of the three together but here is a picture of Handsome Henry from this afternoon.


Very happy with that today!

 

[ycbm]

What a great report. So pleased for you all.
.

 

[Emilieu]

I have loved catching up with this thread! Lucky Henry