New Pup Problem

Right Turn Clyde

I have a female pup arriving soon and we're expecting it to scream the house down for the first few nights/weeks.

I also have a 4 year old male. Eventually I want both of them sleeping in the same area, so what's the best course of action at this stage?

Should I have the pup sleep alone and just get that early stage out of her system? Or should I have them sleep in the same area straight away?

I just think that having company right from the start might help her settle in. Plus, it's gonna be a big change for the male as well so maybe he should start as I mean for him to go on.

I have a secure crate so for the first while I'd be crating the pup and letting the male sleep next to her in his bed.

What do you think? Is that a good or a bad idea?

Many thanks.

Hermia

I would have them both sleep beside each other, start as you mean to go on. You'll be able to give them time to get to know each other and play before it's bed time, from my experience, the other dog should calm the puppy down to an extent. If you can get a blanket or a toy the puppy is used to, the scent should also calm her. It's tough going for the first few days but will be worth it! Best of luck!

DBB

I had been going to say to let them sleep near one another, but to think about getting a crate for pup to sleep in just for the added safety... But as I read down I see you've that sorted already!
I'd change your dog's routine as little as possible.
The crate should also come in handy for when pup is mithering the older lad (which she will), just to give him reprieve from her puppy silliness
How does he feel about other dogs in his home? What breed/sort is he? And the new pup?
Exciting times ahead op

Right Turn Clyde

DBB wrote: »

I had been going to say to let them sleep near one another, but to think about getting a crate for pup to sleep in just for the added safety... But as I read down I see you've that sorted already!
I'd change your dog's routine as little as possible.
The crate should also come in handy for when pup is mithering the older lad (which she will), just to give him reprieve from her puppy silliness
How does he feel about other dogs in his home? What breed/sort is he? And the new pup?
Exciting times ahead op

They're both rescue/unwanted dogs, so I don't know much about their breeds except that they're not pure breeds. The pup is a jack russell type terrier and the male is some sort of bull breed. He's a big auld lovable eejit but I'll have to be vigilant all the same.

He's not awfully well socialised around other adult dogs but he's been exposed to pups on a few different occasions and he's alternated between mild curiosity and total disinterest. I'm not sure if that's a good or a bad thing but I'm holding on to the fact that he's never shown any type of aggression.

In fact, when we pass dogs on the street he does be leaping around to get at them, but when I actually allow him to sniff and be close he calms down almost instantly.

Nonetheless, he's powerful and all animals can be unpredictable, so I'm always very watchful over him and I'll continue in that vein when the pup arrives.

Speedwell

If you can get an old-fashioned ticking clock, try putting it under a blanket in her bed the first few nights. We always used to do this with new pups.

tk123

Your resident dog mightn't want to sleep or have anything to do with the pup at first so the crate will come in handy if you need to separate them to give him a break! Bailey was also 4 at the time we got Lucy and didn't want anything to do with her at all for weeks! Funnily enough he'd sleep beside her when she was sleeping in the crate like he was minding her but when she was awake he's give out to her lol!! They're buddies now but not to the point they're wrapped up in each other asleep - they might lie back to back but that's it - he likes his space!
For sleeping arrangements I had her crate upstairs so I'd hear her when she cried to go to the loo and kept her crated at night for a few months until she house trained and then just to continue with having her used to settling in the crate. She was sleeping though the night after maybe 2 weeks.

aonb

+1 for the puppy to sleep in the same space as the older dog, but secure in her crate, from day one (until they get used to each other)

Of course the 4 year old wont know what hit him when the JRT bitch takes over the house and will probably bully him mercilessly

Photos please of the new arrival, but more especially the resident bull terrier??

Knine

No howling here. I put the puppy in a crate beside an adult. My adults love puppies!

Right Turn Clyde

Thanks for all the replies everyone. It's great to have some moral support as I head into some potentially sleepless nights! I'll post up some picks soon for anyone that's curious.

Right Turn Clyde

aonb wrote: »

Photos please of the new arrival, but more especially the resident bull terrier??

The Recruit



The Resident

aonb

The JRT looks like a right little popsy, but the 'resident' is gorgeous!

Ive never had a puppy " scream the house down for the first few nights/weeks."
- If you make sure when it arrives in your home, that its handled very gently and carefully, played with (to tire it), spoken to constantly, and well fed (nothing worse than an empty puppy tummy) before bed - with cosy nest, a toy, and something to chew - you will find that apart from a bit of a cry (if that) she will be just fine. Leave a ticking clock, or a radio on low nearby, hopefully she is sleeping indoors so wont need a heat pad. If your older dog is sleeping nearby (assuming that they have got on ok in the introductions) she will have some company overnight which will really help. Expect a wet bed in the morning. Ive always asked the breeder to put something in the litter's nest - a small stuffed toy, a rag, an old towel - to get the litters smell on it, then bring that home, and put it in the puppys new bed for a bit of comfort until it settles.

I hope your lovely older dog and the new arrival hit it off and become firm friends fast!