Lady, my 14 month old sable sheltie now has a new baby brother, 10 week old Sparky. He is actually her real half-brother, as they come from the same dad.
He is the sweetest boy. He seems not as agressive a chewer as Lady was. He also very playful.
Lady and I picked him up early yesterday afternoon. We live closeby the breeder so it was not a long ride home.
Lady was not thrilled to have him here. She mostly ignored him except when he poked his nose into her business. She poked him back a few times. I could see the first time that she was snarling, then she went for him. I was not sure whether this was a correct action on her part or not. I could not tell that he was doing anything other than just sniffing around her. He did not seem injured, although he yelped every time she went for him. How do I tell if these corrections are within the bounds of appropriate behavior? Can something that starts out okay escalate into something more serious? I am just not sure whether I am butting in or acting appropriately myself in protecting a new member of my pack. The last time she went for him at the end of the evening I told her to leave him alone and she knows when I am serious. He's on the small side, so she's a lot bigger and stronger with adult teeth. I don't want him to be hurt because I didn't intercede at the right time.
Lady goes to daycare regularly. I asked one of her providers today whether she thought Lady was acting inappropriately toward him. The response was no. She has never acted inappropriately toward another dog, including many puppies that she's played with. She feels Lady is a model of appropriate canine behavior. In this case, I am pushing Lady's envelope bringing a new puppy home. Could this bring out the worst in her or am I overreacting?
Right now Sparky is fast asleep at my feet. He was barking in his sleep a little while ago. I've never heard that before! It was very cute, and he's a wonderful little boy. I promise pictures will be forthcoming.
He is the sweetest boy. He seems not as agressive a chewer as Lady was. He also very playful.
Lady and I picked him up early yesterday afternoon. We live closeby the breeder so it was not a long ride home.
Lady was not thrilled to have him here. She mostly ignored him except when he poked his nose into her business. She poked him back a few times. I could see the first time that she was snarling, then she went for him. I was not sure whether this was a correct action on her part or not. I could not tell that he was doing anything other than just sniffing around her. He did not seem injured, although he yelped every time she went for him. How do I tell if these corrections are within the bounds of appropriate behavior? Can something that starts out okay escalate into something more serious? I am just not sure whether I am butting in or acting appropriately myself in protecting a new member of my pack. The last time she went for him at the end of the evening I told her to leave him alone and she knows when I am serious. He's on the small side, so she's a lot bigger and stronger with adult teeth. I don't want him to be hurt because I didn't intercede at the right time.
Lady goes to daycare regularly. I asked one of her providers today whether she thought Lady was acting inappropriately toward him. The response was no. She has never acted inappropriately toward another dog, including many puppies that she's played with. She feels Lady is a model of appropriate canine behavior. In this case, I am pushing Lady's envelope bringing a new puppy home. Could this bring out the worst in her or am I overreacting?
Right now Sparky is fast asleep at my feet. He was barking in his sleep a little while ago. I've never heard that before! It was very cute, and he's a wonderful little boy. I promise pictures will be forthcoming.
But where she is around other animals on a daily basis it should work out well. Just have to remember this one comes home with her.
