Jump to content
CairnTalk

New Puppy to the clan...


jarrod

Recommended Posts

Ok. So I knew this was going to be work and I am ready for it. I'm just really nervous all of the sudden for some reason.

The backstory:

Hank is 21 months old right now. I brought him home at around 10 weeks, to my roomate's house where he had a 70 pound, un-neutered mixed breed named Pivot. Hank learned to play very well and the two of them were best buddies. Well... Hank and I recently moved into our own place. I had decided that once we were settled in I would take Hank to look at some pups since he tends to be a dog's dog when it comes to his favorite activities and Pivot was a daily part of this for the past 18 months.

Soooo...

I took Hank to the breeders house to play with the pups (Scottish Terriers) and to help me decide which one to pick. The initial one I was drawn to was another alpha male type and, at only 11 weeks, was a little tense with Hank. The female and Hank played great together but I was looking for another male despite some warnings I had read :( The breeder brought in a wheaten colored male to show me. Hank and him started playing together instantly and very well, both submitting. After about 20-30 minutes* and many experiments with the three pups I decided that the wheaten colored male was the pick. On the 5 hour drive home we stopped by to see some family and my cousin's new 15 month old cocker. They all played fine and had a great time. The rest of the 5 hours home in the car was peaceful and playful. We stopped at my sisters house last night too and Hank and the new guy were playing well, however the new guy was a little off with my sisters 3 year old pug who can be pretty spastic. We came home and besides a few 'pack leader' snaps from Hank the guys played well.

Fast forward to this morning...

Hank is now uninterested in the new guy and snarls whenever he gets close. Eek. The little guy just wants to play. I don't know what I've done... Should I have got the female? Or better yet, left well enough alone.... I'm most concerned with the potential for Hank's overall amazing disposition to change into that of a territorial Terrier monster. Oh nooooooo! Might this change when the new guy gets neutered? Should I try and switch for the female or might this work itself out. They were playing really well all day yesterday and it's not like they are fighting... Yet.

Crap. I just want to do what is best for all of us. Whatever that is.

-Jarrod

*(edit- I was at the breeders house for over 2 hours total, it was about 30 minutes after being introduced to the wheaten colored pup that I made my decision)

Hank, Merle and me.

-----

http://www.hankfilm.com

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'd give it about a week to sort out. It's fairly normal for a few days of adjustment to take place. When we brought Dundee home Haggis would not even look at him for two or three days; now Dundee hangs off his ruff like a four-legged beard. Also, at 11-12 weeks there is still a lot of learning going on, including manners, bite inhibition, pack dynamics, etc.

Puppies come with a "puppy pass" (pheromones?) that generally lets them get away with stuff that would not be tolerated from an adult - but you will hear the occasional yelp as Hank instructs the little guy on what his limits are.

CAIRNTALK: Questions? Need help? → Support Forum Please do not use PMs for tech support
CRCTC: Columbia River Cairn Terrier Club | 2025 Calendar

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Don't beat yourself up just yet! There is hope!

My thought is that all went well until you got home because Hank wasn't yet on his home turf. Once you got home Hank realized that the new kid would be moving into his territory. Now Hank is on High Cairn Alert because he senses that his place in the pack may be challenged.

Don't assume that the problem is due to both of your dogs being male. I had the same situation when I adopted Ziggy (male); Buffy (female) wanted to kill him for the first few days and it has taken 6 months for the two of them to sort out their issues and decide on their places in the pack. Now we have peace in the family with only an occasional grumble between them.

The fact that your new pup (got a name yet?) isn't yet neutered may factor into the situation - the experts here will know more about that.

Here's the advice that others on this board gave me: Show Hank he's #1 by always feeding him first, treating him first, getting him ready for walks first, etc.. Don't force the dogs on each other. Give each of them space and give the new guy a chance to settle in.

Don't despair and good luck!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I promise you that everything will be okay. As others have said...the puppy is in Hank's territory and Hank is probably feeling somewhat threatened.

I added Sally (a Westie) to my house when Benny was 22 months old. I honestly did not expect any problems with Benny because he has always loved all other dogs no matter where he went. Benny somehow knew right from the get go that Sally was moving in on his territory because he would not look at her and kept growling the entire car ride home from the shelter. Benny avoided Sally with a passion for the first 2-3 days. Then, slowly he started coming around. Sally would want to cuddle and he would move away from her. He would gather all his toys up on his bed and sit on top of them so she could not have them. By about the first week, Benny warmed up to Sally and now Benny and Sally are best friends...unseparable really.

Give Hank some time to adjust. Make sure he knows that he is always going to be your number one dog. Also, don't force Hank to 'like' the puppy. Let him adjust to the puppy on his own.

Congrats on the new puppy. You'll have to share some pictures.

The world revolves around Benny and Sally...or so they think!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The new pups name is Merle, as in Merle Haggard, although I am considering the name Merle Haggis as a tribute to both of our American/Scottish heritage :)

Thank you! I feel much more assured hearing some success stories along with the developments this morning. The two eventually had a good play session this morning balanced with learning lessons and fun. I have been doing what you recommended by trying to reassure Hank that he is #1 with treats, affection and feeding him first and letting him establish his spot without disciplining him (as long as it's not aggressive, which it hasn't ever been). Just took Hank for a walk on his own and that seemed to be a great thing for his ego.

Well I have to leave the house for a few hours. Merle's in a puppy proofed pen and Hank is curled up on the couch cool and calm as usual. Besides some whining from Merle things seem to be going good. Fingers crossed for healthy happy puppy when I return.

Any advice on easing separation anxiety for Merle... Finding more and more that Hank was quite the 'easy' puppy...

Thanks again, your advice and assurance is grrrreatly appreciated :)

All worries and messes aside. I really do find this part fun and fascinating!

-Jarrod

Hank, Merle and me.

-----

http://www.hankfilm.com

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well. things have gone really well today. Hank is showing Merle the ropes, and while he does get a little rough (he is still a puppy too after all!) they are playing really well together. Merle definitely looks up to Hank. Pretty cool stuff.

I posted some pics of the two of them in the pictures section. I know Merle is a Scottie, but I figured since it was Hanks lil buddy it would be ok. Plus, I gotta say, this site is one of the best breed sites out there, full of amazing information, people and dogs! And it looks nice and is well organized and managed :)

Hank, Merle and me.

-----

http://www.hankfilm.com

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I gotta say, this site is one of the best breed sites out there, full of amazing information, people and dogs! And it looks nice and is well organized and managed :)

June 29th was the 5th year anniversary for this site. :cake: Your sentiments are well-timed and enthusiastically shared by all of us. We are are indebted to Bradl... our "Fearless Leader" :king: for creating & maintaining this site!

Wishing you good luck & good times with Hank & Merle Haggis. (Great names!).

FEAR THE CAIRN!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

By the way, great idea to take Hank on a walk by himself. That's what DH and I started doing when Buffy would pout (and, yes, I believe they really do pout). He'd take Buffy for a walk; I'd play fetch with Ziggy. It gives each dog some quality time and a little vacation from each other.

It's funny when you say that Hank is showing Merle the ropes. Just recently Ziggy has started emulating Buffy in certain circumstances. I think Buffy is trying to teach him that he'll never catch a squirrel if he's barking his fool head off. Ziggy is trying SO hard to copy Buffy's "Cairn stalk" but after about 15 seconds he can't control himself and goes into a frenzy, charging at the bird feeder and yapping up a storm. Buffy goes after him and gives him a quick snap on the snout as if to say "You moron! You've ruined it for both of us!".

You'll have lots of fun watching Hank "instructing" Merle. B)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just an update...

Hank and Merle are really starting to gel. They play regularly now. It's rad cause Hank will lay on his back and let Merle stalk and 'attack' him. Hank calmly bats Merle away, who, true to his Terrier roots, returns relentlessly with even more gusto. After quite a few minutes of this Hank will calmly stand up, point his tail, flex and then pin Merle to the ground with a potentially fatal yet harmless mouth around his neck, as if to say "I hope you were having fun and I'm happy to teach you how to play, but just in case you let all that pseudo-dominance get to your head, here's a gentle dose of reality little buddy."

Merle has graduated to sleeping in the bed now too :) They lie next to each other. Sometimes even face to face, although Hank isn't exactly ready to take the relationship that far yet...

I can't wait for Merle to get his last round of shots so we can all go to the beach and the dog park together! I wonder if Hank will be protective of his little buddy there...? Hmmmm. We will see...

Anyway. Fun times here :thumbsup: Thanks to everyone for the support on the first night/day. I swear I thought I had ruined all our lives :confused:

Hank, Merle and me.

-----

http://www.hankfilm.com

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Jock our Cairn was raised by our Scottie female Sandie. Jock was always challenging her and for a Scottie she was pretty layed back...but.... every so often we would come home and Sandie would be sitting quietly in her chair and there on the rug were big tuffs of Jocks hair! Scotties are awesome dogs and I miss her terribly. Dont be surprised when one day Merle Haggis becomes the dominant dog. Scotties are lovely dogs but can very dominant and they do get a bit grumpy as they get older ... but then dont all of us :blush:

I love that little face with that wonderful long snout :hug:

Until one has loved an animal, a part of  one's soul remains unawakened.  - Anatole France

Adventures with Sam &Rosie

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Sounds like a happy family in the making. See - we told you it would work out! :) There will be rough spots from time to time but Merle and Hank will find their way and establish their own pecking order and rules. The journey is half the fun. ;)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

so glad things are going well. It did not take long for the two to blend. Continued success.

cairn terriers leave pawprints on our lives
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Jarrod, Great post! We have added a new puppy to our home as well and have similar issues. Glad to hear things are coming together for you - gives me hope that they have to go through this stage to become friends. Sounds like you will have many wonderful years ahead.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Dont be surprised when one day Merle Haggis becomes the dominant dog.

It's already happening a little. I do what I can to make sure that I'm the pack leader and that I view Hank as number two, but I can definitely see a lot more 'tude in little ol Merle than Hank ever had.

Now you need a Westie to complete the trifecta!

I have thought about that... The Terrierable Three... I have to say though, as much as I love Merle, Hank's personality seems to be much more subdued and manageable, if that makes sense. That being said, if there ever is a third I would have to say it will probably be a brindle Cairn :)

We have added a new puppy to our home as well and have similar issues.

I'm far from an expert, but taking tips from a lot of people I decided to make a point during the first few days to keep Hank's schedule the same. Since I'm not big on taking Merle for walks without all his shots I just play with him in the yard and then I do the dog park/walk thing with Hank same as usual. This seemed to help ease Hank's distress over the addition, by reassuring him that things haven't changed that much. I don't think Merle knows any difference at all.

Never a dull moment. That's for sure!

Hank, Merle and me.

-----

http://www.hankfilm.com

Link to comment
Share on other sites

By the way, I love your films on Hankwilliamsworld.com, especially the ones featuring Hank. He's quite a good actor! When I'm having a bad day at work I watch "Broccoli for Me" and it always brings a smile to my face. :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

CairnTalk.net

  • A meeting place and
    online scrapbook for
    Cairn Terrier fanciers.

ctn-no-text-200.png

Disclaimers

  • All posts are the opinion and
    responsibility of the poster.
  • Post content © the author.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Site Guidelines | We put cookies on your device to help this website work better for you. You can adjust your cookie settings; otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.