Lisa_T
Well-known member
Holly is a bit neurotic for a variety of reasons, and she had minimal exposure to other dogs before the age of eight weeks. She likes other dogs, but very much on her terms (in other words, she likes to tease them and then run away from them).
She's a sweetie with people, and so far has not been bad with Chloe. However, she won't tolerate Chloe too close to her- partly because Chloe still tends to nip. Should I let Holly take care of this discipline herself (which she does), or intervene myself? Will they naturally become closer as Chloe matures? Or will Holly's caution mean that their relationship will remain pretty much what it is?
Holly doesn't seem interested in playing with Chloe, although they'll happily follow each other around the house and garden and give each other a good sniff. They also enjoy running after the ring in the park (Holly usually grabs it first and hangs on, but sometimes it seems that she lets Chloe take it, while other times preventing her from doing so)- but when Chloe barks and yips and play bows to Holly in the house, Holly just hides!
How much of this is normal? Is this a good beginning? Chloe's a much bouncier, much more confident personality than Holly, even though Holly is a strong enough personality in her own way. Part of the problem at the moment is Chloe's youth and lack of training- am I right in assuming that training will help? Is there anything I can do to desensitise Holly to Chloe being nearby? How do I deal with their refusal to sit together and let me pet them- it seems they each want all the attention! Oddly, they both travelled reasonably happily on my lap in the car- but normally Chloe would be in a crate. I also feel guilty since the puppy is taking up more of my time and while I try to redress this while Chloe is sleeping, I'm wondering whether I'm going the wrong way about it. Holly is clearly top dog- should I pay her more attention than Chloe, even when Chloe's around? Any guidance on making this early period of puppy-dog relationship transition as smooth as possible would be greatly appreciated. Both dogs, it has to be said, are very sweet natured. Chloe's confident, but she seems willing to accept Holly's superiority- when Holly chooses to exert it!
She's a sweetie with people, and so far has not been bad with Chloe. However, she won't tolerate Chloe too close to her- partly because Chloe still tends to nip. Should I let Holly take care of this discipline herself (which she does), or intervene myself? Will they naturally become closer as Chloe matures? Or will Holly's caution mean that their relationship will remain pretty much what it is?
Holly doesn't seem interested in playing with Chloe, although they'll happily follow each other around the house and garden and give each other a good sniff. They also enjoy running after the ring in the park (Holly usually grabs it first and hangs on, but sometimes it seems that she lets Chloe take it, while other times preventing her from doing so)- but when Chloe barks and yips and play bows to Holly in the house, Holly just hides!
How much of this is normal? Is this a good beginning? Chloe's a much bouncier, much more confident personality than Holly, even though Holly is a strong enough personality in her own way. Part of the problem at the moment is Chloe's youth and lack of training- am I right in assuming that training will help? Is there anything I can do to desensitise Holly to Chloe being nearby? How do I deal with their refusal to sit together and let me pet them- it seems they each want all the attention! Oddly, they both travelled reasonably happily on my lap in the car- but normally Chloe would be in a crate. I also feel guilty since the puppy is taking up more of my time and while I try to redress this while Chloe is sleeping, I'm wondering whether I'm going the wrong way about it. Holly is clearly top dog- should I pay her more attention than Chloe, even when Chloe's around? Any guidance on making this early period of puppy-dog relationship transition as smooth as possible would be greatly appreciated. Both dogs, it has to be said, are very sweet natured. Chloe's confident, but she seems willing to accept Holly's superiority- when Holly chooses to exert it!