Taken the plunge again

[SteffiS]

No, not related. Nothing in their 5 generation pedigree that links them at all.

 

[Jen]

How is Ripple enjoying being a big brother?

 

[SteffiS]

He's not sure about it . Today Toffee has really found his voice and keeps barking at Ripple to get him to play, but Ripple plays very roughly and tries to jump on him, so we have to separate them, then Toffee starts again. Yesterday they settled down together nicely but today it's all been chaos.
We're giving Ripple all his normal routine as far as possible, walks, training, time alone in the lounge with one of us in the evening.
Although we were prepared for it to be worse and Ripple to hate him, so it must be all good really .

 

[SteffiS]

Are they related?

Actually I think Toffee is more likely to be related to Luna. His father is Forest from the same kennels as Wilson (who I think @snowbunny said was her father). Toffee's breeder was originally going to use Wilson as the stud but apparently Forest is supposed to be calmer so a better match for her bitch. I've really got my fingers crossed for a calm dog to balance Ripple .

 

[snowbunny]

Ah, lovely! Forest is gorgeous and, yes, a touch calmer than Wilson who is a bit bonkers, but in the best possible way ?
I was wondering if there was any Afinmore in there but didn’t like to ask

 

[SteffiS]

Did you get to meet them both @snowbunny ? I met both of Ripple parents (who, to be fair, didn't give any indication of being anything like Ripple is) but only Toffee's mum, who was lovely.

 

[snowbunny]

I saw Forest, but didn’t spend any time with him; by the time I went to visit, Squidge was four weeks already so I was more interested in her parents. And Lexi, because everyone has to meet (and fall in love with) Lexi

 

[SteffiS]

Struggling a bit this morning with Toffee leaping at Ripple and biting his sides, it threw Ripple into a bit of a frenzy who jumped on Toffee and then started biting OH. We separated everybody again and OH is going out for some 'peace and quiet' .
Not quite sure how to manage the interactions between Toffee and Ripple .

 

[Lab_adore]

Oh dear....good luck @SteffiS

 

[snowbunny]

I'd say baby gates are your friend! And then lots of rewarding calmness, playing calm games, scatter feeding, boundary games etc when they're together.

 

[Boogie]

I tend to use baby gates (and puppy pen gates) everywhere, mainly as a protection for Tatze. I let them play when she’s up for it and separate them when she’s not. I encourage tugging on toys between them as that saves her neck and fur. I have two places where the pup is never allowed, her crate and her chair. The crate door is closed and she has to ask to go in. I just keep the pups away from her completely when she’s on her chair and they soon learn.

Spencer shouts and shouts at her to play and it drives me maaaad, so I stop him every time. Tatze doesn’t seem to mind and hardly twitches her ears.

I always let her tell the pup off, better to allow this when the pup is very young so that they learn their place, if it starts when they are older it can be a bit of a problem, much better when they are tiny

.

 

[Atemas]

Yes definitely baby gates. You may remember we had huge issues with Sky and Red when she was a very young puppy. Sky wasn’t in the least bit interested in her and Red just wanted to be a croco pup. I know our experience was extreme but we had to manage it carefully and ensure Sky’s life kept it’s routine. Fortunately we have space so that made it easier. We only put the two together when we could devote all our time to them. I had to put Red on her little lead and trained a settle. Then eventually they could be alongside each other and have a kong. I am sure you won’t have the same difficulties with Ripple and Toffee.

 

[SteffiS]

Yes, we have baby gates and Ripple has one bed inside a pen that Toffee is not allowed into. I think it's Ripples over excitability that is part of the problem. I don't know how much to let him tell Toffee off as his natural inclination is to try and jump on him. I thought that Toffee was too young for tug toys so I hadn't tried that.

Spencer shouts and shouts at her to play and it drives me maaaad

And definitely THIS when Ripple is having his after walk sleep.

I seemed to have inadvertently trained a 'training' cue as now if I say to Ripple 'training' and get the treat bag out Toffee rushes up and does a really nice sit . I have just used that to stop a riot and it worked really well, with the added bonus of getting Toffee to do 'sit' and 'touch'.
All a learning curve I guess, but great fun having a puppy again .

 

[Beanwood]

Oh, baby gates were (are!) our saving grace! btw Toffee is related to Benson too...(and so is Luna..) and going back to great -great - grandparents also Casper Actually I have been looking at both Forest and Wilson as stud dogs for Bramble (if everything goes to plan...)

 

[SteffiS]

btw Toffee is related to Benson too...(and so is Luna..) and going back to great -great - grandparents also Casper

That's all very interesting, I've never come across any relations of Ripple (probably no-one would want to admit to it anyway ).

 

[snowbunny]

Actually I have been looking at both Forest and Wilson as stud dogs for Bramble (if everything goes to plan...)

Wilson! WILSON!!!!

Yes, yes, Forest is lovely and everything, but .... WILLLLLSSSSOOOOOOONNNN!!!!!!!!

 

[Beanwood]

That's all very interesting, I've never come across any relations of Ripple (probably no-one would want to admit to it anyway ).

I used to say this about Benson...seriously he was a nightmare right up until around three and a half? It was embarrassing...everyone knew Benson more through his escapades than the wonderful dog that only I could see...apparently!!

 

[Boogie]

Yes, we have baby gates and Ripple has one bed inside a pen that Toffee is not allowed into. I think it's Ripples over excitability that is part of the problem. I don't know how much to let him tell Toffee off as his natural inclination is to try and jump on him. I thought that Toffee was too young for tug toys so I hadn't tried that.

As to the telling off - I would try it and see. They are amazingly resilient these little pups. When Spencer gets a proper telling off he hot foots it to somewhere Tatze can’t reach him (he had that worked out on day 1!) but it’s a good lesson for him as to how far he can go. Each telling of gives him a good clue as to what he can and can’t do.

I don’t think pups are ever too young for tug - done properly, and dogs naturally do it properly

.

 

[MellowYellow]

Welcome little Toffee!!!!

 

[Emily_Babbelhund]

Yes, yes, Forest is lovely and everything, but .... WILLLLLSSSSOOOOOOONNNN!!!!!!!!

But Wilson's got springs for legs.

Afinmore and Forest sure get around - one of my favourite breeders that I visited - who is in Italy - is planning on breeding soon and told me she was thinking of using Forest. Small world!