Fun first week

[milfordks]

OK, we've had Bella for a little more than 1 week. So far, so good. I was really worried how my older German Shepherd (Samson) would accept her. He's 12+ yrs old and has always been a very Alpha male. I figured our 2 yr old Golden Retreiver (Journey) would love her (she loves everyone). Boy was I surprised, Samson accepted her right away and Journey didn't like her at all. Everytime Bella would pick up a toy, Journey would take it from (as if she were saying "that's mine"). Bella would easily take another toy, but the retreiver would take that one too, etc... The other day I took all 3 dogs out, Journey took away one of the toys from Bella and was proudly walking around the yard because she took 'her' toy from the puppy. Then, Samson walked over to Journey and literally took the toy out of her mouth and dropped it in front of him, he then gave her a little look as if to say "now, try taking it away from me!!!". (she would NEVER challenge him). Samson then let Bella have the toy. I was busting up laughing at them for about 5 minutes.

[Roge]

Very funny, That would have made a great video,

[LILYLARUE]

I would have laughed too! The older one gets the puppy. He's older and wiser. The golden, well, is just now coming into adult hood, but still has some puppy antics in her. Should be interesting for you to watch how this all works out. I bet the puppy will win them both other in no time!

[hurleygirl]

2 females together...never good in my experience.

[milfordks]

That was about 2 weeks ago, Bella just turned 3 months old and she is doing GREAT.
She comes enthusiastically about 90% of the time on my first call, even if she's engaged in doing something else. Sits perfectly every time and waits patiently (I have her sit for a few seconds before her feedings, before going outside, hooking up her leash). Walking like a champ on her leash without any tugging. If we're not walking around the neighborhood I don't even leash her and she stays right by my side or within eyesight and responds appropriately. I do most of her training in my front yard (where she has distractions) off leash. I've always felt it's better to train them with distractions versus training them without and then having to retrain them with the distractions. She's not an overacheiver like Samson (he has always been a very high ball drive, eager to please dog), but she's still doing very well considering her age and that we've only had her 3 weeks tomorrow. Oh, and she and Journey have since become best buds.

[hurleygirl]

Very good news!