We are into our 2nd week of owning two dogs, not as easy as I thought. The new cocker Ginty has slept downstairs in the kitchen for the first week without causing any trouble. Last night she decided she wanted to join the rest of us upstairs so she started howling which set Misty barking no fun at midnight. The answer would be to let her upstairs with us but she is not housetrained yet and also another problem she smells.She eventually settled down about 1 30am still downstairs on her own.
She smells strongly of urine which I mentioned to the vet when she went for her check and 1st injection but he didn't find any thing wrong I will mention it again when she goes for her second jab. I bathed her last week and wonder if I get her trimmed short underneath if this would sort out the problem any advice would be very welcome . We have wood effect floors so any dribble from her would be obvious she isn't passing urine frequently and does seem to have adequate number of drinks of water there is a fresh bowl of water there at all times.
Feed time is fun Misty has never been enthusiastic at feed times and strangly prefers to eat her food off the floor rather from her bowl. Ginty had only eaten Sneyds working dog food and Misty would only eat Asda's tinned food with some Super dog Plus and now they seem to have reversed with Ginty eating up the tinned food and Misty the Sneyds.
They have spent the last few days wrestling. things have gradually got rougher with Ginty nipping Misty around the tail, ankles and neck but all the time they are fighting their little tails are wagging At first Misty[who is on heat] was trying to mount Ginty but now the roles seem to have reversed . Do I need to worry about this behaviour ? it just looks like two youngsters getting a little carried away I do realise the mounting is a show of dominance.
We have just returned from the beach the only place I could think to take Ginty for a good run. The two dogs travelled well together in the cage in the back of the car no wrestling.
Sue

Hi Sue

All this sounds very normal to me in my limited experience. I have my two cockers in my bedroom sharing a crate, they love it and settle down really well. Personally I think splitting them up at night will only add to their difficulties in settling in together as you are imposing a pecking order that could be against the one they see as being right.

I know it must be hard if one of them is a bit whiffy;) but as they are already content in the back of the car in one crate - I think Ginty would be happier upstairs with everyone else.

They will try and mount each other - mine do it all the time - just wish they'd get it the right way round:D

Having two dogs is much harder work than one but they will settle down and then it won't be as hard - promise:)

Have fun

Pam n the mad boys

Hi Sue

I totally agree with everyting that Pam has said and I must say that if you do keep them separate it might create a problem in the pecking order.

I like Pam have two dogs Sebastian is 4 1/2 and Bart is just over 2 1/2, they have loved each other from the moment I brought Bart home. They have the wrestling matches as you call it more play and trying to sort out the top dog thing I think. Bart seemed to dominate Sebastian to start with but I think Sebastian was just letting him get away with it as he was a baby. Sebastian now puts Bart firmly in his place.

Your girls will sort themselves out in time.

As for Ginty smelling I would just make sure that she is kept clean, but would not trim off the firm, but I love my boys in full Show Coat so am a bit biased.

Good luck with them.

Derryn & The Boys ......

I agree totally with Pam & Derryn - it's best not to split Misty & Ginty up at night & a crate upstairs with you would be the ideal solution (assuming Misty would not sleep downstairs with Ginty?)

Re the "pong", could Ginty be coming in season do you think? Living with a bitch in season can often bring another bitch into season & I have found that bitches' urine can sometimes smell a little stronger at this time. The fact that she is mounting Misty now also could indicate she is coming into season (although as you say it is also a way of asserting dominance) Other possibilities are a bladder infection but then you would normally get other symptoms like frequent straining to urinate. Are you sure that it is urine you can smell? Sometimes, blocked anal glands can give off a strong, fishy smell - just a thought :-)

Jane

I agree with all said, but you all got to admit 1 dog is alot easier than 2.
Its like children no different.

Thanks for the replies I decided to take the easy option, Ginty came upstairs with the rest of us not in a crate but in her basket There was a half hour of pottering around with attempts to jump on the bed but after that all was quiet until gone 7 am and no puddles. (Our car cage is too big for the house and hubby doesn't want any extra expense at the moment).Hopefully we will eventually be able to move them both downstairs together.
Misty has started to clean Ginty underneath maybe she will take the message and do it for herself or maybe she will just let her slave do the work! Ginty was in season in September for the first time so I hope she isn't coming into season again I will get the vet to check her over next week again when she has her 2nd jab.

Sue

Thas good news. I hope the improvement continnues - I'm sure it will but do be prepared for some set-backs

Pam n theboys