Its funny how often Ive been walking Echo and realising I havent been to such and such a place since being there with Morse. The mind wanders back to memories of Morse and it takes effort to concentrate on Big Eck ( the locals corrupt any name we choose for our dogs). OH is having a hard time bonding with Echo although he wont admit it. He keeps expecting the behaviour Morse had, not in a bad way, but its a shock to him that Echo whimpers when left alone for a little while, or sits opposite you not at your side, or ignores a stuffed kong. I wish he would say something. He was happy to take Echo home but I think the reality has been unexpected for him. Im encouraging OH to get the toys out, feed him or groom him all the things he did with Morse, but he walks/pats him and thats it. Maybe its to do with OH sore back at the mo, making him grumpy with pain. ANyone else had this?

I don't know if its the same thing but when we first brought Glazby home I felt that he bonded so much more quickly with Mat than with me.  He would follow Mat about and would barely acknowledge my existance!!

Over a period of time though the balance has changed and Glazby now seems to be my shadow - much prefering loves and cuddles with his Mum than playing rough with his Dad.

Echo is probably busy adjusting to a new home and the new people that come with the home.  It maybe the same that it takes him a bit longer to get to know one person than the other.

xx

Perhaps his sore back isn't helping things Lorelei. When you are in pain, you just can't be as bothered as you normally would.

  Do you involve OH when you are playing/feeding/brushing Echo? by doing it together, for example, when you are brushing him or walking him, point out some of his funny little foibles, Echos, that is, not OH's. :P It will take time, you've not had Echo long and as you know, it does take time to get over another dog, even when you think that you are getting better, something goes and happens and it all comes back to you. Perhaps he's not saying anything about it as he knows that you are still hurting and he doesn't want to upset you.

My OH much prefers Shepherds to my Briard(s) and often I see him comparing them in a silent way, especially our old Shepherd that we used to have, he had a good bond with him and I know that he would just love another one like him and no other male dog will come close. But he's learnt over time to appreciate Murfee for what he is and I'm sure yours will do the same. ;) The longer they spend together the closer they will become.

We got our Paddy some 8 weeks after we lost Ben.Some may say that was soon but the house without a dog in it was just not home. I have to admit it was a bit of a shock as Ben was 14 1/2 yrs when we lost him and then WOW pup arrives, eyes in the back of your head, and it takes time to adjust....

Hubby bonded straight away, but for me it did take a little longer. I was always alone with Ben, walked him etc, and had a strong bond with him.So when our new fella arrived and he was doing things totally different to Ben it took us by surprise.

Then we had had him about a week, and he was just sitting in his bed looking up at me, then we had a" Mum to dog chat!" ..and I  found myself  telling him all about Ben and who he was etc, and as I was talking to him he came and rested his head on my knee...now Ben would never have done that, he was an independant dog from day one, and it suddenly occurred to me that this little fella was his own man, and I should take every day at a time,Ben was Ben and now Paddy was Paddy.
As the months went he became the hooligan we know and love, he does some things like Ben did but others totally different.

We all have our different ways with our dogs, with Ben we used to say "come for a love", and we would come (eventually!) now with Paddy we say to him "give us a kiss" and we get one !!.

So what I am saying is, all our dogs have their own ways and that is why we love them it gives us something unique to remember them all by.
Maybe then let OH have some time with Echo alone, you leave them to have a Dad to dog chat,;)  and maybe when you return things may be diferent......

Bramble bonded firmly with me when we got him - hubby wasn't too impressed :) However, little by little, Bramble became a Daddy's dog. Bramble only, ever, tiddled on Daddy's shoes when he came home from work - and he only whines to be with his Daddy now, never me :D Maybe Echo is just unsure with men. Bramble was certainly nervous with men and so took longer to bond with Daddy :) Give him time, I'm sure that it will work out fine :)

Daisy

Maybe they are both unsure of each other. Time is a great healer - maybe your O/H feels unsure about passing on his affections. But he will- Echo sounds a great dog and your husband a nice man give it time and you'll soon be posting;

" HELP - My O/H has stolen my dog's heart"   

A good friendship is like a good wine - not made over night.

Yes as Kazz says I think its just a time factor. It could be that he misses Morse so much that he doesn't want to think that Echo is replacing him?
I recon that, in time, your OH will learn to love Echo but it will take longer than your love for him :)
Hope everything works out :)

Yes also forgot to add maybe OH feels disloyal and still thinks of your old dog,time is a wonderful healer, and one day they will just click and that will be it....

Thanks for your replies. ID be lost without CD. Have been leaving the boys to it and find they are getting on better, even playing games. Despite his sore back, OH can walk Echo as he dosent pull on the lead, and hes been brushing him. Echo is responding very well to his Dad's attention. What seems to get OH goat is Echo's singing and whining when he dosent get his own way, but hes reassured this will be under control soon. OH is in charge of the speak training! We have chosen a very different dog and maybe thats best.