My first post with 2 dogs. :-0

[Jill Ramsey]

Well, here's what's going on. Finnegan, 18 mos. neutered male blk lab, and Fischer, 10 week yellow lab, have been doing real well getting along. We brought the puppy home-he and Finn met at a forest preserve (neutral ground). I stayed home last week with both of them.We are sure to make Finn first with most things. It's hard when it's potty time. Sometimes they go out together, sometimes one at a time. Finnegan has been very tolerant of the puppy. He gets a little rough at times with playing, but no aggression. He does have a tendancy to run into the puppy when he's playing with one of his larger balls or toys.
This week hubby is home with both of them. Today, Finnegan didn't want to eat. I think he's just overwhelmed with all of the changes in his life lately. Anyone have any opinions or suggestions?
We've tried to have alone time with Finn. Today, Hubby took him to the forest preserve for a long walk. Hubby said he seemed distracted. Didn't really want to fetch, didn't pay attention.
We put puppy in his crate and have time with Finn inside the house, too.

[heathea]

Ahhhh, Jill, I am sorry.
I hoped your long awaited for transition would be seamless.
It sounds like you are doing all of the right things with some alone time, etc. Have you tried giving him some extra special treats while Fischer is in his "place"? I am sure it will all be okay, just give him some time to adjust. Actually, while typing this I am wondering if you are possibly giving him too much attention? I know it sounds nutty, but if I give my fearful and nutty dog Teak too much special attention he becomes much more fearful and nutty. Perhaps just keep things as normal as possible and if they don't get better in a few days take him to the vet to check for bacterial/viral causes.
I wish you all the luck and support in the world.
Take care,
Heather

[Jesse Cruz]

hi jill,
i had similar issues when i first got bailey. chloe was very distracted and did not eat much for a few days. it took about 1 week for her to settle down with bailey. she was very excited playing and jumping ALL the time. as for going out, in the beginning i took them out separately because i didn't want bailey distracted about what needed to be done. i did it for about 2 weeks or so and now they go out together w/out a problem. its better to start things out slowly. i'm no expert but it worked for me.

good luck.

[Stefie C]

I think Heather makes a good point about keeping things as normal as possible. You were home last week & hubby this week. I'm assuming that's a big change in itself. That might be stressing/confusing him as much as the new puppy. Stranger things have happened. :) Whatever the reason, I hope he adjusts quickly and is back to his old self soon. Good luck!

[Andre Mendizabal]

hi Jill, although you are doing all the right things, its always difficult for an only child to get used to his little brother... its been a lot of changes in Finn's life and he might be just a bit overwhelmed, and tired, remember that having a puppy to play with is always an energy booster... anyway, I think you just have to keep doing all the things you've done so far, remember alone time with each, don't let them be together all the time until Fish is older and try to keep up with Finn's routine as much as you can... you'll see you'll have two gorgeous well-adjusted labs pretty soon...
When Nala came home Molly started peeing inside, I think it was all the stress going on... but she got over it and Finn will too...
Good luck and see ya' around in the 2 or more dogs forum!!! :cool:

[Jill Ramsey]

Thanks for the replies, everyone.
I realize that it's an adjustment period for all of us. :) Finnegan ate all of his food this morning. I know he was hungry.
I keep telling myself and my husband that he's confused, and his routine has been turned upside down. I don't think my husband realizes how much a change like that can affect a dog. :???:
I don't think we are giving him any excessive attention. It's about the same as before, but he's not the only one getting attention, and I think he's jealous about that.
Well, we'll just keep going and see what happens. Nothing serious is happening, but I just want to keep a step ahead of anything like that.
Thanks again.

[Krispie]

When we got Shiba, we really wanted to make sure Kobe got enough attention and had some time alone with us too. What was funny is as you were saying about Finn being distracted, etc on his walk alone is the same way Kobe would act. When we would try to play with her alone out in the yard, she didn't want to play toy or run. She keep looking around and wouldn't listen to her commands. We finally figured out it was because she was looking for her new sister and wanted to play with her! Even though the baby drove her nuts, when she wasn't with her, it threw her off. So we just make sure we pay lots of attention to both. We still take each of them for car rides seperately but they always seem to want to walk together(one will have a cow if the other isn't around!). I am sure your babies will adjust to the transition just fine with a little more time and once the schedule is more normalized, Finn will be just fine. Good Luck with the addition to your family!

[Luciann]

Jill,

I think once Finn adjusts and things go back to normal then things will work out fine. When i got Tika Frodo was jealous and still is some, but he is lost without her. When i took tika to be spayed Frodo was depressed all day until she got home. and the same when I took frodo in.

So that is why Finn was probably distracted. And as long as there really is no aggression you should be fine.

good luck