New puppy meeting Tatum??
 

My parents got a cocker spaniel puppy. She's 8 weeks old now (and weighs the same as Tatum!). My mom wants to have a meet-up with the 2 so that Ellie (the cocker spaniel) can get used to other dogs. I know I've seen it discussed here before but remind me, please, what age they should be before socializing with other dogs. Ellie is up to date on her shots but I can't remember... is there more to get at 12 weeks or sometime that I should wait until then to let her be around my animals?

I'm also going to be doing some searching on the biting topic because Ellie is a serious biter and those puppy teeth hurt!

Well, as long as they meet indoors and Tatum is up to date on her shots and healthy, Ellie should be fine.

As far as the biting, Tatum will let Ellie know EXACTLY how she feels about it, which will help with her bite inhibition.

Let them sniff each other for a few minutes before removing the leash and let them go at their own pace, they will work it out. Try not to be too overprotective, but if things get heated, remove both dogs immediately and try again another day. A good strategy is for you to offer your parents dog treats and for them to offer Tatum treats at intervals throughout the session, so Ellie learns to associate other dogs and people with food!

But aren't there more shots for Ellie to get yet? I thought you were supposed to wait until the puppy was up-to-date also - just in case there was something that my dogs are vaccinated against but maybe the puppy isn't fully yet. Does that make sense? I've told my mom anyway that this weekend is not a good idea. Tatum has had an upset stomache this week and is finally getting over the "runny poops" (with the help of meds from the vet). I think she either snuck some of Stormie's (our Aust. Shep) food and ate too much or it could have been the dead rat out in the pasture that the cats killed and disembowled (I know, EWWW!) and then Tatum found it. Not sure if she got a taste of it but I discovered her with her nose in it. I would hate for her to have something contagious that the puppy might get (if that's even possible) so we're going to wait another week or so for them to meet unless I get an answer saying she should have more shots before socializing.

And I was talking about the biting that Ellie is doing to my parents! I know Tatum would stand her ground with her but I want to look up suggestions on breaking the habit of using those puppy teeth to bite people (while playing of course). She doesn't purposefully attack or anything - it's just that she doesn't realize how much she hurts when she's "playing".

another week of waiting wont hurt before socializing.

as far as your parents with the biting, they need to teach Ellie in a way she will understand! When Ellie bites, they need to let out a high pitched yelp and turn away from her - even leave the room! This is what other puppies do when they are playing with one another and it gets to rough and it teaches inhibition.

Ellie just needs to learn that humans are soft and ouchy!

Thanks! I've shared that with my mom already. I had forgotten that I'd read that before. I just never had issues with Tatum biting so I couldn't remember.

Both my furkids were nippy pups. Louis taught Ella Bean not to bite on day 2!! LOL!!

I will never get another puppy without an older dog to help me 'raise' him or her!

So maybe we just hope she nips Tatum and Tatum gives her the "what for" and problem is solved! :D We'll see if that works!