How to start???? I have arranged to work more flexibly, I only live 10 mins from work and I only work part-time, I have also arranged a puppy sitter, so please don't think pup will be left on his own for hours + my other dog is here although I don't think of him as a puppy sitter:)

What I have decided is I am not entirely comfrotable with pup being in the crate every time I am out, so everytime some one comes home for him when we leave he has to go back in. But I am worried about the pup mithering my other dog when I'm not there.

My other dog's bed is currently in the utility room but he has access to the kitchen (ha and the kitchen bin!), now the utility room does have a door to shut it off from the kitchen but sorry it's just too small. I have a baby gate, which we plan to use in the door between kitchen and dining room, but this would still make the utility too small. So my other plan is is to leave older dog in diningroom/lounge and put the gate on the door from the kitchen to the diningroom so they will still be able to see one another.

My dilema is will the current dog feel 'ousted' from his place? And should we start practicing now? And when we go out should I place his actual bed in the dining room? Although I have to say he is more likely to try and find a 'pool' of sunlight to lie in!

If you have't nodded off I'd be grateful for your advice!

Anita

Hi Anita,

I can't really offer much advice but wondered if you're planning on using the baby gate as a physical barrier to keep the dogs apart?? If you are you'll need to put a piece of clear perspex across the bars as Holly can still get through our gate. It's getting difficult now but if she really wants to she can just about manage. We had to put some perspex over it last night as she nearly dislocated her hips squeezing through :(

Good luck with the puppy - I'm sure you'll have fun :D

Fiona
x x x

I like to have a barrier between the puppies room and the rest of the house that is low enough to allow the adult dogs to step or hop over but does not shut them out - it means that when they have had enough of puppy teeth they can escape but you are not seperating them which could cause trouble later.
We have a couple of blocks of wood on each side of the door frame and slide a piece of plywood between the door frames when we want the pup to stay in one room (kitchen). See no reason why your pup can't not spend an hour in his cage when you want to be sure he will come to no harm. Jackie H

Thanks Jackie and Issymum

The initial idea for the babygate was not so much to keep them a part but for the times when I can't be 'available', a girl has to get dressed you know:D And I didn't like the idea of shutting both the kitchen doors but it's obviously preferable to keep him on an easily washed floor 'just in case':)

Perspex being looked into!!!!!!

Anita

Hi Anita,

You can get good sized sheets of cheap perspex from B&Q. We drilled a hole in each corner and used plastic plant ties to secure it to the top and bottom bars of the gate.

Fiona
x x x

OOo thanks, another little job for hubby I feel:)

Pup now has a name, Guinness! Coz he's black, pint sized and has a little white mark under his chin:D

Are you still feeling good.........I hope so.

Anita

Hi Anita
I think for the first few weeks I would crate the puppy when you are out, for your older dogs benefit as well as the puppy.
There is only so much an older dog will tolerate and the pup will be very playfull and little nips from sharp teeth can hurt.
The pup in time will learn its boundrys with the older dog but until then I would crate just to be on the safe side.
Crates are not such a bad thing, if you leave it up all the time and put a nice piece of vet bed in and toys you will find the pup will retreat to his 'special' little place when he has had enough play.
Guinness sound a real good name for a pint size little fella!!

When do you fetch him home?

Dawn

Hello Dawn.....

May 10th!!!! I seem to be going from pre-pup excitement to 'oh grief what if they hate one another'! There is no reason for me to think the older one will hate it, in fact I have every reason to think he will love it. But he is my 'handsome gentleman' who we all love very much.....and I really want to do right by him.

Anita

Anita, Iv'e found that males are sometimes worried for a few days by puppies but as soon as they are used to the idea of such a small darting thing they will settle down and enjoy the puppies company, but always allow an excape route for when the older dog gets fed up. Jackie H

What a great name :D

Today is another good day. Holly has really settled down and I haven't had to tell the children off all day!! That in itself is worthy of celebrations :D :D :D

Thanks for asking :)

Fiona
x x x

Celebrate away! That kind of stuff does not happen often with kids:D

Anita

So are you going to call him "Guinea" for short? ;) Seriously, Guiness is a neat name & he'll grow into it one of these days :D