Cosmo's new sister

Karie

If all goes well, Cosmo Edward will be getting a sister! She won't be ready until after June 19th, and Cosmo can't meet her until then.

This is the same breeder we got Cosmo Edward from, and he has been an excellent, healthy pup.

I've never introduced, or owned, two dogs at once. Do you have any tips for me?

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8 years ago

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17 replies

Latest reply was from Karie

kellygirl

Veteran

omg, how adorable! I've had to introduce dogs a couple of times and it was easier with the puppy/adult dog than with the two adult dogs. I bet Cosmo is going to love his new sister! Puppies are so much fun (and work!)

8 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

SOOOOOOOO CUTE, BEAUTIFUL and ADORABLE. I am fainting, Karie. What will you call the new baby girl?

There is nothing better than a doggie. They are frightfully cute as puppies - but even better when they grow up. And old doggies are the best.

We have had 5 dogs living in our house at once. The males get tricky. You have to let them establish who is Apha and reinforce the position. We had to do the same with our two twin girls - from the same litter. Rosie was dominant.

I'm sure Cosmo Edward will be thrilled with his new little sister. Much love to all of you.

8 years ago

Anonymous

AWWWWWWW! Sooooo cute!!!

8 years ago

jackiec

Veteran

I AM SO EXCITED FOR YOU!!!!! So cute and so fun!

We introduced a girl puppy (Lexi) to the family in January, having already Lincoln, a 5 year old male. We felt it was still important to bring the puppy to puppy class for some good socialization and tips. Although we felt we were seasoned veterans, we still learned tons more at class second time through. Our instructor stressed the importance of giving the older dog some well deserved time away from the puppy. Puppies are so full-on, that it can be overwhelming for the older dog, and unfair for them to always be "on" with the puppy. I take Lexi to daycare once a week, and leave Lincoln home for some extended snooze time (really he sleeps most of the time anyways), and then some nice calm walks with me alone. I often walk them separately too - and always walked them separately at first too while I focused on Lexi and just getting her going on the sidewalks and socializing her to the crazy outside world.

I guess my main point of advice is give Cosmo Edward lots of extra love and attention. Gosh, it's like having multiple kids, really. Enjoy! Can't wait to see photos when your family officially expands

8 years ago

milehighstyle (Linda)

Veteran

Oh my gosh, she's adorable! We have two, but they are very close in age, 7 months apart. We adopted two puppies in 2013, one in March and the other in October. Henry was pretty big at 9 months, and we worried that he might hurt the new puppy so we tried crating her during the workday for a couple hours at a time (my husband works near our home, so he could go and let her out a couple times a day). After 2 or 3 days we stopped - she kept having accidents in the crate, just wasn't old enough to hold it for very long. And the dogs hated being separated. My vet said not to worry about it, they would be fine. They loved each other from the start and Savvy quickly became the boss of Henry, even though to this day he's still 3 times her size.

8 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

What a cutie pie! We fostered a puppy, Little Hess. What I remember is Little Hess had big beastie Lilypup on the run! Ahaha. It was funny to see. I second what Jackie said about not bothering the older dogs with the puppy. Puppies need to learn respect and to not bother older dogs. I think that's how it's done by dogs themselves in a pack. When you introduce, I think it's also important to take the older dog out of the house, bring the puppy in, and then bring the older dog in - so it's not a matter of having the older dog facing an interloper coming into his territory. And don't just put the puppy in the floor in front of the older dog. The older dog should sniff from a distance at first... And talking days here not minutes or hours... Lilypup is a real introvert. She didn't love Little Hess and wouldnt play with her until she reached a certain stage.

8 years ago

Karie

(website)

Veteran

Thanks for the great advice everyone!

Rachy, Cosmo will meet his sister at the breeder's and then ride home with her in the car. Should we still have her go in the house first when we get home?

Linda, we plan on training the new pup the same way we trained Cosmo. I will be home during the summer so the new pup will be gated in the kitchen/dining room while potty training. When I need to go out for a few hours, she will be crate trained. My mother-in-law is 4 houses away and she can come down as needed, and we have a dog walker we can call on.

Thanks Jackiec, I wasn't going to take the new pup for training - we did take Cosmo, but I thought I'd train the new dog myself. Perhaps I need to re-think that.

Angie, we were thinking of either Callie or Cady. Cosmo means "order, harmony, beauty" and came from "Cosmo's Moon" from the movie "Moonstruck." Callie means "beautiful" and Cady means "Rhythmic flow of sounds."

8 years ago

milehighstyle (Linda)

Veteran

Karie - That's great that you can be home during the summer. I was only able to take a week off to get everyone situated. One thing I forgot to mention, potty training was much easier with the second one because she just followed her brother's example during the day. We have a doggy door and she learned how to go out and do her business pretty quickly, although I still got up every 3 hours during the night to take her out for a couple of months (that may have been overkill, but I'm just like that).

I like the sound of Cosmo and Cady.

So excited for you!

8 years ago

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

No advice here but OMG, how cute this little girl is!!!

8 years ago

donnat

Veteran

Way too cute! You will have lots of great
fun with that little sweetie.

8 years ago

Lyn D.

Veteran

Adorable, and I am sure they will be the best of friends!

8 years ago

Karie

(website)

Veteran

Linda, the breeder told us the new pup would be easier to potty train because she will follow Cosmo's example. I hope so! I don't look forward to all the training, but at least I have the summer spent mostly at home to do it.

8 years ago

jackiec

Veteran

I'd read that it was important for them to meet in neutral territory (so we did some sniff introductions out back). Then I brought Lexi to her mini home within the home which was a big doggie playpen about 5-6 feet diameter with her peepad, bed, and crate placed inside. The dogs could sniff each other yet be safely away from each other. Lexi came out for very very brief supervised play visits with Lincoln but not for a few days or so at least. She was barely 2 lbs which is tiny compared to his 10lbs. After she was fed and did her business, she could have short play sessions. I spent lots and lots of time on the floor on my stomach helping to mediate and play along with them. Lots and lots of laughs. You'll have a ball. I forgot how much work the potty training was, but it works out in the end. Lexi caught onto the bell hanging by the back door literally within hours.

8 years ago

Joy

Veteran

What a sweet puppy! No wisdom as we have always been a one dog at a time family.

8 years ago

pil

Veteran

Oh Karie, what an adorable little peanut! I'm looking forward to pictures of her with Cosmo Edward - and you of course : )

8 years ago

Summer

Veteran

Oh, Karie, what a sweet little bundle.

8 years ago

Karie

(website)

Veteran

Thanks everyone! Jackiec, that's a great idea about the doggie playpen. We have a children's Graco playpen that we used for Cosmo, I think I will get it out when the time comes and use it for introductions with the new puppy.

8 years ago

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