Once again, a pack of three.
So far, so good. Ben and Indie have been getting along like old buddies. It's a little shocking. We've been doing the integration very slowly, but it's going so much better than we could have imagined.
We brought Ben home on Thursday night and crated him downstairs. The only time the dogs got together was on their two walks, where we walked Ben and Ebony together and then Ben and Indie together. On Indie's walk, we kept them across the street from each other and didn't let them interact on Thursday night. Indie barked at Ben at first, and then started whining when he realized who it was. A great start.
Friday morning, we let Indie and Ben walk together side by side. They mostly ignored each other, which was perfect. They didn't seem particular about which dog was out in front, and they walked side by side for parts of the walk, bumping shoulders companionably. Indie has already shown signs of looking for Ben's reaction when there is something scary, and that's exactly what we're hoping for. Although Ben is only a year old, he is very confident with a stable and friendly temperment, and will be a great role model.
Last night, we got the party started for real, and let Indie and Ben loose together in the house. I was prepared for fireworks, but they played together more nicely than Indie and Ebby play! We had a few predictable tense moments, but Ben and Indie figured out quickly how to collaboratively tug with toys and proceeded to destroy a good dozen plush and tug toys from the toy box.
The boys tugging #1
The boys tugging #2
The boys tugging #3
The Carnage
We still got our fireworks later when we let Ebby out. All hell broke loose. Ben went nutso, tearing around the house, and then Indie started chasing Ben in a more serious manner while Ebby contributed to the mass confusion by barking and running. Soooo... three dogs loose together won't be happening quite yet. We have three crates lined up in the dining room and they all have to take turns coming out. At the moment, all three of them have been crated for the last hour to encourage them to nap, and to give ME some quiet time! Indie hasn't had any time to play yet this morning, but Ebby and Ben had about 45 minutes of nice time, where Ebby had to put Ben in his place a few times, and then taught him how to chew quietly on some of the bones that are scattered around the living room. It's so much fun to watch the dogs learn from each other.
It's official... we've got a new dog!
So far, so good. Ben and Indie have been getting along like old buddies. It's a little shocking. We've been doing the integration very slowly, but it's going so much better than we could have imagined.
We brought Ben home on Thursday night and crated him downstairs. The only time the dogs got together was on their two walks, where we walked Ben and Ebony together and then Ben and Indie together. On Indie's walk, we kept them across the street from each other and didn't let them interact on Thursday night. Indie barked at Ben at first, and then started whining when he realized who it was. A great start.
Friday morning, we let Indie and Ben walk together side by side. They mostly ignored each other, which was perfect. They didn't seem particular about which dog was out in front, and they walked side by side for parts of the walk, bumping shoulders companionably. Indie has already shown signs of looking for Ben's reaction when there is something scary, and that's exactly what we're hoping for. Although Ben is only a year old, he is very confident with a stable and friendly temperment, and will be a great role model.
Last night, we got the party started for real, and let Indie and Ben loose together in the house. I was prepared for fireworks, but they played together more nicely than Indie and Ebby play! We had a few predictable tense moments, but Ben and Indie figured out quickly how to collaboratively tug with toys and proceeded to destroy a good dozen plush and tug toys from the toy box.
The boys tugging #1
The boys tugging #2
The boys tugging #3
The Carnage
We still got our fireworks later when we let Ebby out. All hell broke loose. Ben went nutso, tearing around the house, and then Indie started chasing Ben in a more serious manner while Ebby contributed to the mass confusion by barking and running. Soooo... three dogs loose together won't be happening quite yet. We have three crates lined up in the dining room and they all have to take turns coming out. At the moment, all three of them have been crated for the last hour to encourage them to nap, and to give ME some quiet time! Indie hasn't had any time to play yet this morning, but Ebby and Ben had about 45 minutes of nice time, where Ebby had to put Ben in his place a few times, and then taught him how to chew quietly on some of the bones that are scattered around the living room. It's so much fun to watch the dogs learn from each other.
It's official... we've got a new dog!
posted by Erica at
7:08 AM
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