Cassie/Reeva interaction

[Selina27]

Cassie has been great, accepting little Reeva's arrival as if a puppy arrived here everyday, taking very little notice of her initially. She's been amazingly tolerant of being jumped on/over, having her wagging tail used as moving target, her ears bitten and the inevitable searches for a snack from her tummy! Not to mention her toys and beds being taken over. For a dog that's not used to sharing her space, I think she's done really well.

The only thing is that when the puppy gets excited and initiates play with her, Cass can get quite rough and a bit barky. She's doing better than she was, and will play bitey face for longer now before she gets full on. If the puppy sits still, Cass will quite often mouth her really gently, almost feeling every bit of her body, head to toe. If Reeva starts to run or move quickly, Cass will try to grab her or push her with her nose. At that point I usually intervene, luring her away for a handtouch and reward. Also, I have rewarded Cassie for just watching the puppy and not interacting with her. I am noticing an improvement I think but I'd be interested in others thoughts and ideas on whether I'm doing the right thing, or if there's anything else I can do. Reeva isn't frightened of her, and always comes back for more, and is fast and whippy so can run rings around Cassie if she so wishes.

 

[Granca]

At that point I usually intervene, luring her away for a handtouch and reward. Also, I have rewarded Cassie for just watching the puppy and not interacting with her.

That sounds good. I’ve been lucky having older dogs who have tolerated puppies very well, but I’ve been careful to make sure they have their own space, too. When the puppy or the older dog seems to be getting over-excited or a bit rough, I’ve stepped in and and have used ‘Enough!’ to stop them in their tracks, as well as treats. It even worked today when I had rather a long phone call and the dogs decided it was time I took them into the garden. Both of them rushed into the room and started a bit of a rough and tumble, but a quick ‘Enough!’ stopped them in their tracks so I could finish the phone call!

 

[Selina27]

Thanks @Granca , I have used enough myself as well , but should probably use it as the port of call

 

[Selina27]

First port of call, I mean.

 

[Atemas]

I always used ‘enough’ when Sky and Red finally ‘got together’ and I wasn’t sure about their play. It used to stop them in their tracks and we’d have calm.

 

[FayRose]

Sounds as if everything is working OK @Selina27 with the intervention you see as necessary. Sounds as if the pup is happy and Cassie is happy

 

[Naya]

Sounds like they are getting on really well. I used to worry Harley was a bit rough at times with my friends puppy, but when I actually sat back and watched closer, it was the puppy being rougher

 

[kateincornwall]

I think they are doing just grand . Reubs used to get a little rough with Nelly at times, when he got wound up , mind you she would quickly put him in his place if she didnt feel in the mood x

 

[Cath]

They will be best friends in no time at all

 

[Selina27]

The Cassie and Reeva version of Mabel and Olive Unedited commentary by Themselves

 

[Selina27]

 

[Cath]

Lovely

 

[Naya]

So cute @Selina27

 

[Candy]

Cassie's so gentle with her! Just lovely!

 

[Emily_Babbelhund]

Cassie's so good with her. I love how at one point she had Reeva's whole head in her mouth and was having a gentle gnaw.

Reeva is edible too. She reminds me so much of a little foster puppy I had once - coincidentally named "Cassie"!

 

[FayRose]

Oh wow, I'm really impressed with how Cassie is dealing with this new pup. She's brilliant, you couldn't have had a better interaction if you'd tried.
I thought she'd be a bit bossy but there's none of that at all - wonderful - I don't doubt you're proud of her @Selina27 and quite rightly so.

Says a lot about Cassie's true nature and temperament, sweet girl

 

[Selina27]

She reminds me so much of a little foster puppy I had once - coincidentally named "Cassie"!

Good heavens, how amazing

Yes, I'm so pleased with how good Cassie is with her, to start with we had to watch really carefully as if Reeva started to run the chase instinct kicked in, but it seems just mouthing and poking her allowed her to find out just what she should do. Now of course little one is getting bigger and stronger and faster everyday! Believe me if those jaws get hold of you you know about it! She frequently runs round the back of Cass and bites her bum , the collie half is alive and well !!

It's interesting, Reeva isn't bitey like Cassie, and it seems many Lab pups, but when she does it's a real clamp down, while with Cass it was relentless but superficilal.

 

[Selina27]

I thought she'd be a bit bossy but there's none of that at all

I know what you mean, but although she tends to play quite rough, I almost invariably find that if I intervene, the other dog goes back for more! So it can't be as bad as it sounds!

 

[Stacia]

What a brave little puppy and how good Cassie is with her. The obviously have a lot of fun together.

 

[SwampDonkey]

Cassie is just great.