Questions about dealing with 2nd puppy

[Beth Pladson]

Hello! I've enjoyed reading the forums and seeing pictures of everyone's kids and now I've got some questions. We've got an eleven month old female, spayed yellow lab and getting a little male black lab very soon and we will have him neutered when he's old enough. I was wondering... ready for t20 questions? :confused:
*how should they be fed? My girl kinda just eats when she feels like it, but should I try to get the boy on a more regular schedule? should they have different bowls and different eating places?

*She no longer sleeps in her crate, but we plan on crate training the boy. I was planning on getting separate beds for them, or should I see if they just cuddle up to each other?

*How much time should I give them to "make friends?" She is very friendly with other dogs in the neighborhood, but none of them live with her, so I'm wondering how she'll react.

*do I need to take them separately on walks?

Thanks in advance for your help! :)

[Jill Ramsey]

As the parent of an 19 month male black lab, :dogrun: and a recently acquired 12 week male yellow lab, :dog: I'll give you what we have done.

Puppies should eat 3 - 4 meals a day. If your new lab is normal, he will eat any food in sight, so I would hesitate to free feed.
Definately different bowls and eating places. Your girls' bowl is her bowl, she may not take to a little puppy eating out of her bowl.

Separate beds. Each dog should have their "special" place to go when they feel like a nap or just to get away from each other. Our puppy is all over the older dog, if left out of the ex-pen or crate. It's ok for awhile, but not constantly.
I would introduce them in a neutral territory. A park or someplace that isn't your older dogs territory. That way she won't feel like the puppy is intruding on her space.

Give them time to make friends. It shouldn't be too bad, as your girl is still technically a puppy herself. Ours are still getting to know each other, and it's been a month. Don't leave them alone unsupervised, as the bigger dog could unintentionally hurt the puppy.

The walks can be seperately and together. It depends on how much you have control of the older dog. The puppy will kind of go everywhere at first. Make them short while the puppy is small. They tire very easily & quickly.

Just be sure to give the older dog lots of attention. She may feel a little put out 'cause this cute adorable little creature is getting so much attention.

Good luck and have fun.
Oh, we sometimes take them out separately to potty and sometimes together.

One more thing, if your older dog is not on NILIF, put her on it immediately. Put the puppy on it when he comes home, too.

[Susan Baxter]

Hi Beth,

Congrats on your upcoming new addition. We recently added a 12 week old to our family. I would definitely agree that introducing them in a neutral place is important. We introduced McKenna (14 months old) to her new sister (actually half sister) Sedona 12 weeks old, at the breeder's home. Lots of room to run and play and sniff as well as several other dogs around, so it worked out well. There's been no jealousy on McKenna's part thus far. Of course, she still gets lots of attention.
I feed ours together. I have to because we have a doggie door and an enclosed X-pen where they stay when my husband and I are at work. It works out okay because they do have separate bowls and McKenna isn't a huge eater anyway.
They have separate crates for sleeping but they do nap next to each other on the cool tile.
I don't know if somehow they know they are related or if McKenna is still enough of a puppy to be thrilled with a playmate but so far, it's been great.

Susan

[Melissa Brunoehler]

Hi Beth!

Jill has given you some great advice-
Seperate eating/ sleeping places is important. Also be sure to check out our Articles section. You will find great info on NILIF, puppies, and training there.

Let us know if you need anything else.

[Beth Pladson]

Thanks so much for your responses! They've been very helpful. :-D