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Bringing a new companion home

S

Sam

Member
Hi,

We just bought a 2 year old Blenheim Cavalier, Louie, on Monday as a companion for Sam our 3 year old Cavalier but things are not going as well as expected.

Sam does not seem to like Louie and has become very depressed and will not play or come near us when Louie is around. We understand this is a major change for Sam but we hate seeing Sam so upset and Louie is really trying to make friends but Sam just isn't having any of it.

We purchased Louie from the same breeder as Sam and he is Sam's half brother. The breeder has said if things do not work out she would take Louie back, we will only do this as a last resort but we feel if things carry on we are being unfair to both dogs.

Just wondering if anyone has been in the same situation or can offer any advice.

Mant thanks in advance. :(
 
Give it some time. Be sure to give Sam lots of extra love and always treat and feed him first. We made sure Jake still knew he was the king and he accepted Shelby just fine. Now, they are pretty much on equal terms.
 
This is very normal behaviour. Give the first dog plenty of attention and I'd advise taking both out for several walks a day where they have time to socialise away from Sam's home territory, so the situation is more neutral. It can take a few weeks for them to settle in. Bet they will be curling up together and playing together in no time.

Here are some helpful links:

http://www.cuhumane.org/topics/dogdog.html

http://www.canineintelligenceagency.com/Tails_SecondDog.asp

And about half way down on this page:

http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=pets_introducingdog
 
Hiya,

I agree with the others. Charlie is coming to live with us on Monday and as Maxx is 6 now I fully expect him to sulk when he realises that Charlie is here to stay! Maxx does like Charlie but I'm still HIS Mummy!!!!

I'll just get around it by treating him first etc - he already knows he's MY top dog LOL

Just give it a little while longer and I'm sure he'll settle down. just imagine him being a child and you suddenly bringing another child home to live, you'd want him to know that he was still your baby - Cavaliers are just like children LOL

Hope it does work out for you Sam and Louie icon_heartthrob
 
Introducing a new companion

Thank you for all the advice, just a bit nervous and don't like to see either dog upset. Feeling much more positive now. :)
 
Years ago, we took in a rescued cat from our vet. Our cat, Stuff, started throwing up all over the house. I was horrified because I thought the new cat, Partner--named because he was suppose to become Stuff's partner in crime, had given my precious baby some disease. I took Stuff to the vet, and he told me Stuff was just mad that this new cat was in his home. We got separate litter boxes and food/water bowls. With time, Stuff stopped throwing up, and they became best buddies. Just give them time! :)
 
Sam & Louie

Hi, just to let everyone know Sam & Louie are now very good friends, enjoy playing together and even share the same bed sometimes. Thanks once again for all the very helpful advice. : :D
 
That's great; it usually doesn't take too long!

Beware of avoiding opportunities for scuffles, though; my guys could really go at each other over chew toys for example. It took about a year for them to stop this; I don't think now they've had that type of fight in a few months. Always best to not let the chance arise as they can always get jealous over one having something they want. :) I think we've all slowly learned when our cavaliers get jealous!!
 
Well, no sooner do I post that, then mine just went into full fight mode over, yes, a CARROT. Jaspar is terrible about enjoying food games and he often will sit and guard an item. Usually they just lunge for the item and one wins :roll: but this time instead they went for each other.

Both now having time outs in different rooms. :x
 
Sam & Louie

Sam & Louie are generally getting on well. Louie is 2 years old and has come from the enviroment of being a show dog and not a pet, hence he is finding it difficult to play games and interact. Louie has just had a fight with Sam over a toy and he bit Sam's ear. This has not happened before and we are very concerned as we are going away for a week in January and Sam and Louie are going to stay with a friend who has three dogs of her own.

We would be grateful for any suggestions or advice. :?
 
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