[ourfirstyorkie]

Originally Posted by Opimama

The big dog came first. Riley is 4 years old and an amazing dog, a great big sister to Opi who is 11 months old. At first the transition was a little slow, we did keep them in separate rooms at first..just a gate between them, so Riley would know that this new little intruder was here to stay, get to know her and see that we still loved her too. They get along great, from where she treats Opi like her own baby, to best pals, and some sibling rivalry. I worried about the little one being trampled by her big sister, but she gets under our feet more. Opi has mastered weaving in and out of Riley's running in the house. Opi knows to let Riley go up and down or in and out the doors first..I think it was just instinct! They each have their own space too, to get away from each other when they need..lol They eat in different parts of the kitchen. Of course Opi eats more often than Riley, so Riley gets a treat when she can't actually have a meal. When Opi was finally trained to go outside, we had started taking her out alone, but a few times Riley went out with her and Opi seemed to catch on better to what she had to do out there watching her big sister. Well, Riley seems to think she has fooled us into thinking she needs to go out as often as Opi..she doesn't..she just wants to go out and play! There are times when they like to show each other who's top dog....it's too funny to watch this little 5 lb dog get her big sister down to the floor, then lay there with her. We've had to limit our "rough-housing" with Riley, only because Opi always want to get into the mix, and she can get fierce if she thinks Riley is being mean to any of us.
I buy 2 of everything when they get a new toy or treat..one big, one little and they both want the same one anyway! kind of like when our kids were growing up! lol
There is someone home with them all day, if that's not the case we do crate Opi, she's just too young & small to leave roaming unattended to anyway. I see Riley getting bored being her babysitter anyway. and momma here is not sure she's ready to have the 2 of them have free run through the house together!

Thanks so much for sharing. I could visualize every scenario and got a smile with each one.