Reesie & Snickers are BEST FRIENDS.....NOT!!!
 

So Reesie's long weekend homecoming has been great! He is an AMAZING PUPPY!! So happy, full of life, loving, and pees and poops on his pad!!! We all loove him....except....SNICKERS!!!!!

SNICKERS IS NOT AMUSED!!!!!:confused::(:confused::( I know it is normal for older Yorkies to not be so fond of the new puppy, but it is HARD to watch!! Any pointers?? I know he will come around, he makes progress everyday (little!!!) Snick sniffs Reesie all the time before/after growling at him & running away. Yesterday I was holding baby Reesie and Snick came and sat by us. Snick is eating/pooping/peeing fine. He even shares our bed with Reesie as long as I am there laying in the middle to split them!:rolleyes:

They are in separate xpens while we are at work...our doggy nanny is coming over this week daily to play with them mid-day. Should I keep their xpens close together or on opposite sides of the room? They have been on opposite sides so far. Any other pointers? I can't walk them together until Reesie's shots are done. I'm doing everything for Snick 1st of course...food, praise, treats, attention, walking through doors etc.

Thanks a million..I want them to be friends SOON!!! It's breaking my heart but am trying to stay strong and positive!!! Using that upbeat voice and praising a TON!!!!!

Hugs-
Viv

It sounds like you're doing everything right, so just be patient and let things work themselves out. Vinnie and Alex were not too fond of eachother when I brought Alex home this past summer. Vinnie wasn't aggressive, just indifferent. But over the last 6 months, they have grown closer. They are still not what I'd call best friends, and they do fight sometimes, but overall they get along and work things out. I even catch them sleeping side by side sometimes.

I don't have any advice about the ex-pens, but hopefully someone will. I'm sorry the adjustment isn't going as smoothly as you'd like, but it doesn't sound like it is going bad! Hang in there! :thumbup:

I'd like to throw in my own personal experience. Now, Suki (my cat) isn't another dog, but she did have to put up with Rylie coming home and she's OLD. They started out hating each other (well Suki hating Rylie... Rylie was all tail wags) and that lasted awhile...supervised interaction only.

It is now to the point where they can be left alone with each other without risk of injury to one of them. They still "fight," but I've figured out it is playing. They have the option to leave each other alone, but prefer to wrestle. Then after everything calms down (aka Rylie finally stops trying to lick off Suki's face), they'll lay down next to each other on blankets or with me on the couch. It was all a matter of Rylie not getting so excited when she saw Suki that she wouldn't leave her alone and Suki getting used to Rylie wanting to be in her face. :D

Sometimes I still worry they aren't getting along well enough for my tastes, but they've struck a balance and everyone seems happy. Trust me, I know it is hard, but things will most likely adjust. They just have to feel each other out.

I have hope they will continue to adjust and get along and time goes on, but I'll be happy with them not killing each other if that's the way it stays lol. I have a feeling when Rylie outgrows her super excitable puppy qualities a little bit, Suki's life will be much easier. :rolleyes:

Good luck!

That was the same situation we had when we got Nala. Now they play together and will sleep and cuddle together, but there are still times that Bandit's just like "leave me alone!" Even though Nala is almost 2 she still hasn't gotten rid of her puppy energy, and Bandit has an old man's personality :rolleyes: It took a while but you're doing everything right :)

I'd keep them separated (the pens) for a while... put a blankie in each pen for a few days then swith the blankies so they have each others scent....

Also, lavish attention on the Snickster, his feelings may be hurt and he could act out. Really overdo it here. Once he feels secure (again) and realizes you're not replacing him, he'll be better with the baby. He's the #1 brother, and Reese the #1 Baby!

I had three, so I thought adding the 4th would be no problem... ha, my bad... my third looked absolutely heartbroken... so I made her feel real special for weeks, even now... I can't say she's my favorite, I try not to have favorites... but then they are all my favorites in their own way. My fav big girl, my fav little girl, my fav Biewer, and my fav best boy! And they all know it!

It took Barney 6 months to accept Teddy. He corrected him many times when Teddy snapped in his face. I felt the same way that you did, it was very upsetting to not see them all in love. I had a trainer come over and give me tips, all of which I think I already shared with you. I'd keep them in separate rooms. Snick will know he is there. All visitations with each other must be positive and only good things can happen to Snick. This means your tone, your body language, your reward system, EVERYTHING. Keep them in motion when they are together. I had two adults and one puppy and it was even harder to do this. I kept Barney on a leash tethered to me so I could control the interactions between the two. Daisy was easier, she just ran away from Teddy. She was much more tolerant of Teddy's bad canine puppy manners but she still was not happy. Then one day, Daisy grabbed a stuffed toy and brought it over to Teddy to play. To this day, Barney very rarely plays with Teddy or hangs out with him but that is his choice and it works for the three of them.

I would make Snick work for everything and I'd be teaching Reesie basic obedience. He should be reliably sitting for you by now and hopefully starting other training.

I've done obedience training w/ my dogs for many years and am pretty good at it so if you run into trouble PM me.

:thumbup:
Good advice -- it just takes time. It is the same if you bring a baby home;)

Oh No! Sorry to hear that, but I think it will take some time! You have to remember Snick was the one and only for awhile, this is all so new to him. Give it some time, and give Snick some x-tra love and attention, Snick will come around!

I know....I need to wait it out. It's just not fun seeing my lil Snick so upset and always running away!!!!:(:( It actually broke my heart yesterday and this morning seeing his baby eyes staring at me as if to say "Hi Mommy...you still love me right???" I'm tearing up as I type this!!!! I'll be ok....I'm so emotional, I knew I loved my baby(ies) and now I know I really do as it is affecting me so much!!!!

:(
Viv

Oh boy did your post bring back memories. One of the main reasons I got Beemer was so that Sadie could have companionship. She loved other dogs and I was not prepared for he reaction to getting Beemer. She wouldn't even come in the same room if he was there. It broke my heart to see her like that. I loved Beemer but felt guilty if I showed him attention. Then I would remember how we were with Sadie when we got her and I'd feel guilty that Beemer wasn't getting as much. I will honestly say now though that getting Beemer was the best thing I ever did for Sadie.

In the beginning I kept them in separate pens but next to each other. I think that's what I'd do if I was you. That way they are kind of indirectly getting used to each other but Snickers will still have his own space. It was quite a while before I left them together. Now though, they are inseparable. If Beemer yelps when I'm brushing him, Sadie comes running to check on him. It really will work out. Whatever you do, don't feel guilty for Snickers. He will come around. I'm including a picture of Sadie after we got Beemer. This was kind of her demeanor for a while. I'm also including one of them together now. I'm at work so I don't have a really good one but this will show you how close they are. Give them time - it will work out.

I also want to add my support for the advice already given and the patience needed so that everyone can be a happy family (pack). One other thing I've heard that sometimes helps is to make sure that everytime Reesie comes near that Snick gets a treat. He should think that having Resse around is like winning the lottery!! I brought home my Yorkie just about a year ago (she was a 1 year old rescue), and my schnauzer wasn't that thrilled at the time, but they get along well and to this day when we tell Charlee (yorkie) to go Potty on the pad...Georgie trots over to wait for her treat! I'm sure that we could have/should have cut that out by now, but hey...sometimes it's good to get a treat for nothing! Kind of like getting a special holiday bonus.

Thank you all for your help...I have put their xpens together and right now they are both enjoying a bully with no problems. I also praised Snick a TON for going in his pen and not fussing and he doesn't seem to mind since Reesie cannot be in his face lol. They have a wall against each other so they can see and smell each other so we will see. I hope this is a good choice. :confused::confused::confused:

Very grateful--
-Viv

It's ok, it will be fine and all work out for your baby butts. It will take time, but they will end up being best buds in the end. You are doing everything right....so...relax and try not to let it get the best of you.

Oh darn, it missed it....Zhoie was pouting, she wanted to send you hugs & kisses Viv. XXOOXOX. She thinks you are the BESTEST mom ever. :D

Anytime Sapphire looked stressed or sad, I would pick her up and hold her in my lap... then, looking in her eyes, I told her how much I loved her, and that she would always be special to me.

Now I know how this sounds, but somehow she began to understand (after about the 3rd time), I know she doesn't understand the language except for maybe a word here and there, but maybe she picked up on my body language, and I did make a point to single her out, which she noticed.

They were all around my chair, and I reached down and picked her up... I could see the look on her face, like 'You picked me! Yay!'. After a few days, I could see her changing, more confident, more like how she was before the 4th dog was added.

Now, whenever she insists on some attention, I give it to her... because to me she is very special... and will always be.

Then I go through and pick up each one and we have a personal little moment together... so funny.. like they wait their turn...:D

Oh and if he has a favorite thing he likes to do, take time to do it with him... wait I mean Sapphire loves to get on my bed and have a tummy rub (at least one), Finny likes up on the bed to go 'cracker dog' or zoomies, Peek just likes to be held and talked to, and Tink likes to be held, belly rub and talked to, she also loves to play with toys, so we do a fetch session.

So set him on your lap, and tell him your're sorry you hurt his feelings... you only wanted him to have a playmate and friend, and that you still love him just as much, if not more than before. And give him a kiss on his cheek.

Did you notice that? You don't split your love between the two, it's like your heart gets bigger and you make more love for the baby..

Thank you....it's something I already do about 5 times per day. I get tears in my eyes thinking he might be mad at me....but he always snuggles with me when I want to. It's just oh so very hard!!!:(

When Reesie is done with his shots....I'm going to take them to a small dog play group...until then, I hope Snick comes around and if not, hopefully yhr play group will help. I can walk them together there as well as it's indoors. My babe last night said, we shoulda waited till Spring so we could walk them and do things outside on neutral turf.....but then I thought we would've missed out on getting Reesie...as he is too good to be true!!;)

XOXO-
Viv

I'm sorry Viv! :( Your worries are exactly why I'm worried about adding a second w/ Jackson... because he absolutely loves other dogs and lives them with them 2-3x a week when we stay at my dads house, etc, and I like to think he'd want a sibling, but I'm so scared of him giving me the 'cold shoulder' or not being happy, LOL!! But like everyone else said... give it time!

I brought Jackson home at 9 weeks old and my moms dog was 3yrs old at the time. When I brought Jackson in for the first time, he came in, sniffed around a little, and then curled up into a ball on the couch. Carmen, my moms dog, completely ignored him. She acted like he wasn't even in the room! It was so funny, I actually expected her to maybe bark more at him, or start acting jealous, but she acted like NOTHING had changed and went about her ways. I'd say it was about 3 weeks before she got the hang of him, and then decided it was okay to play with him... they turned into BEST buds and unfortunately, Carmen was hit by a car when Jackson was around 9 months old. He was really depressed about it for a while but then he got over it after a few weeks, so it goes to show you how fast a dog can change its mind about things. I KNOW everything will work out and that in a month, you will be posting stories and pictures of the two of them just being best buds!

I pray, pray, pray you are right Brit!!!!!! I know you are!!! I think another thing that has got me all anxious is that my husband has been MIA for about 3 weeks dealing with his MBA classes/finals/projects. Every night he has been gone until 10pm (he just walked in the door.) Tomorrow is the LAST NIGHT and then we will be together in this process. THANK GOODNESS...I think being alone doing all of it has been insanely overwhelming............

XOXO-
Viv

Awww, they will be best of buds soon! It doesn't take time but I am sure once Snickers realizes that mommy still loves him a whole bunches, he'll learn to accept Reeses. :)

Some progress has been made
 

So things are looking on the up...and then again on the down. Snick is making progress, when I was walking around the house with Reesie on a leash yesterday, Reesie got so frustrated with it, he began yelling at me and just sat there on his big bum (LOL!!)--Snick came to see what was going on and since Reesie was relaxed, he came up to him, sniffed and even touched noses;). But then after awhile when I let Reesie back out to play on his own, Snick was in his pen and Reesie jumped toward it and Snick snapped-no contact. So it's up and down.

I ended up putting their pens separate again and decided to swicth their blankets 1st and let them get used to the others scent and then put their pens next to each other---don't want to force it.

I CAN'T wait until Reesie's shots are done, then I can take them out to PetSmart and on their play dates.

Reesie slept through the night last night again, cuddled up to me...Snick does allow him to sleep with us as long as Snick is on the opposite side of the bed with DH.:rolleyes:

I hope I am doing things right...I SO APPERECIATE ALL THE FEEDBACK!!!! It means so much to me how much everyone wants to help.

Love-
Viv

That's good news! They'll make slow progress! :thumbup: We're all here for you if you need us! You're such a caring mommy. :D I expect you to help me when my mum gets her pup and we have 2 in the house. :p It'll be a bit though!

yea everybody's advice was right on the mark. You have to be patient it's like bringing a new baby into the family. The older child is going to feel insecure and jealous the only difference you might be able to explain things to a child. A fur baby is a little harder.

so how are the boys doing?

As already mentioned, be sure to treat Snickers like the KING so he is reassured that he has not lost his status in your house. Do everything first for Snickers ~ greet him first; treat him first; feed him first; leash him up first . . you get the picture. This will help any jealousy issues. Try to pay MORE attention to Snickers than the new puppy.

I like the treat idea too - when everyone is close together and getting along - treat them so he will see the new puppy as the 'source of all good things'.

Walk them together to help them bond as soon as you are able.

Hey everyone....everyday is a new day:):)!!!!! Snick makes gains in different ways everyday, but Reesie is too hyper for Snick still. He still likes to get in his face even though Snick has corrected him many times. Today was a little scary, Snick snapped quite a few times but never made contact. :eek:

Sleeping time is good-Snick sleeps about 10 inches away from Reesie which is nice. Snick doesn't mind Reesie as long as he is calm, but thinks Reesie's in your face attitude is quite annoying!!:rolleyes:


We keep their pens next to each other when we leave and that seems to be ok. I know things will get better once Reesie calms down a bit and hopefully that will happen before his neuter!!! LOL!!!!!

I've enrolled Reesie in puppy classes which start in 2 weeks. I am excited for it. There is also a free puppy socialization class every Tues night which I plan to take Reesie too so that will be good for him to get some of his energy out. We take Snick on his own special outings. And of do EVERYTHING for Snickers 1st. We are doing everything right....just waiting for things to click. We are in a pretty good routine....Reesie is a dream puppy.

XOXO-
Viv

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

Always great to hear good news! :D

Vivian, I'm so happy to read all of the good news and to see all of your beautiful pictures. I think it is sweet that Snickers came to find out what Reesie was screaming about when he was tethered to you on the leash. The sleeping arrangements are a huge accomplishment!

These little ones really are like having children, so there will be many ups and downs. My boys remind me very much of my young nephews. When I scold Teddy, Max is so happy because he is usually the one being corrected, lol. Today Max had a flash of jealousy because he wanted mommy all to himself, but then he spent the rest of the afternoon playing with Teddy.

After a year together, my boys are still making progress. Just this week they started playing more together without human direction.

Hang in there and stay positive! Your boys will be grow to be inseparable.

Good, I'm so glad to her the boys are moving forward. I do believe things are going good. You are doing a wonderful job, now, just step back and take a breath and relax. :thumbup: