W Sibs

Thanks everyone :)

So there is a new member of my family.. this one isn't a white fluffy. In fact, he is quite naked. Skeeter and his baby brother. Hardest thing for me with Skeeter is to keep him away from the baby. The gentle giant is besotted with his brother, always checking up on him. Gets super excited when I let him touch and sniff the baby. He always remembers to his manners around the baby. Emmy and her littlest brother. It took Emmy a few days to get use of the baby. She is very respectful of the baby by giving the baby space, but when we are holding the baby, she will come over and sniff the baby and lay down beside us and sleep. I have to say if you put in the effort of preparing the dogs for a baby, it really pays off... even though things have changed at home, Em and Skeeter quickly adapt to the change. We still kept their routine, taught them to respect the baby and baby's things and they are still very much included in everything we do... baby is up all night, so is the dogs. When baby sleeps, we all sleep :p

You're so brave to get an 8 week old puppy with a little baby! What the others have said, keep them separate and do training with both puppy and baby separately. Good luck :)

Unconditional love. They all bring out the best in me. They have taught me to have a sense of humour and not get embarass with their antic in public...

Gorgeous..

I think they do.. When it was time to give Charlie his wings, I bought both Emmy and Skeeter with me so they could be there to see Charlie pass. Emmy's reaction was, she sniffed him and then went to the door and wanted to leave the room (but I think she knew something was up before any of us becuase she distant herself from Charlie a week prior of us giving him his wings)... but Skeeter was interesting. He sniffed Charlie's body for a few minutes, trying to nudge him to wake up and then he started to whinge, walked over to where Emmy was sitting and started to howl to let out of the room too. Em and Skeeter never goes looking for Charlie but they do small things that I can tell they grieve for him.

I get where you're coming from, but all I'm saying is that you have to pick your fights carefully with some people. Some people wont listen to what you say. You can't help someone who doesn't want to be help or listen... and the more you push, the more hard and difficult it will get. I have learned this the hard way. I don't like fat dogs myself and when people ask me about their dog, I will tell them honestly but if they don't mention it, then I don't say anything or bring it up. Usually if they ask and bring it up, it's when they want help.

I learn to keep my mouth shut until someone ask. Thing is, you don't know the story behind their dogs nor their relationship.. some people are very sensitive on comments on their pets. I struggle to keep Emmy slim and I also sometimes have trouble putting weight on Skeeter. I have been accused that Emmy is fat and in the same breathe I have been accused of starving Skeeter too. If their dog is loved, well looked after and is happy (in their eyes because it's their pet).. who are we to judge on how they raise their dog, right? :p

Sure do :) I also have pet insurance. I mainly set up the account when I had Charlie (who now has passed away) and now it's now transferred to Emmy and Skeeter. The money is for emergency and when I was to slurge on spoiling the dogs. Also Skeeter is a show dog and there is always something to get for him

"This way" and their name is their informal recall "Come" is Skeeter's recall normally "Here" is Emmy's recall

That's my Samoyed every single day... only a lot louder and more attitude

Mostly bull breeds or mutts. Although I've seen a few Labs and a whippet walking around too.

This would be my ideal solution but I'd be a little worried about nuisance barking! Are your doggies very quiet and well behaved when outside on their own? I trust that Hank the pup would just wander around & chase butterflies but Odie tends to go into full "guard dog mode" when outside which we are working on but I have to be around to tell her to snap out of it. Also I'm worried about someone coming along and stealing them but my SO tells me that's highly unlikely I think I'm the one who has separation anxiety here They will only make noise when there is a reason too. They are happier inside of the house when no one is home though. Saying that, my dogs aren't allow in the front yard if I'n not home to supervise. They have free rein of the house and backyard :) I'm worried that someone will take Skeeter too.

We have a doggie door and the dogs have access in and out of the hosue 24/7. They get free rein of the house as soon as they are toilet trained :)

how cute! although I know Skeeter will destroy that in 2 seconds..

Emmy - is more serious and standoffish at first but once she gets to know you (and likes you), she is the most sweetest and cuddliest dog you will ever meet. She mirrors my emotions but at the same time she is very protective of her pack. Emmy rarely get in trouble, she is a people pleaser and doesn't believe in breaking rules and her world will fall apart if we even look at her disapprovely. She can spend hours cuddling. Skeeter - is happy, independent, outgoing and is a total social butterfly. Everyone is his new best friend, they just don't know that yet!! He is my gentle giant, but at the same time, he protects his pack. Since I got pregnant, he has shown his protective side when he feels that me and the baby are in danger but its very rare to see that side of him. Saying that, he is the biggest goofball... I seriously laugh at/with him every single day. Skeeter isnt much of a people pleaser but he will do things I tell him if he knows he gets something out of it, he is generally happy with life and doesn't need us to make him happy. Not sure which I prefer.. both are so different and I get different things from them.

Depends on your dog and how it behaves around a lot of dogs and crowds. I often bring my JS to shows if I'm just there to watch. She is a lot easier to handle than my Samoyed... even though my Samoyed is a show dog!

I think that's still too much for a JS... especially if he is on diet. I suggest feeding him 1/2 cup of food a day, especially if you are planning to give him snacks.

What is his current diet?

Skeeter, my Samoyed, has a sense of humour.... he is so goofy and so funny. I laugh with and at him everyday. This is where and how Skeeter says Hi to people walking pass our house.. you always know he scared someone because he is barking as though he is laughing!!!

that's normal behaviour.. he is nesting (trying to organise his "bed" they way he wants to before he goes to sleep). my Jap Spitz does this, she puts her heart and soul into nesting.. she digs, growls, barks while she does it and once she finish, she flops down with a massive sigh as though saying 'finally!' and then goes to sleep. It's very serious business getting their bed right before sleep :laugh: My Samoyed does this too but doesn't put as much heart into it as Emmy :laugh:

Yes, I count 10 kibbles for her and sometimes for a treat i will add a bit of egg white in there too or a teaspoon of yoghurt... as long as she gets food, she is happy. You will be fine... some dogs needs more attention that some at the beginning, but as long as you are willing to put in the work and effort, it's going to be all worthwhile :)

Poor doggie and you... sounds like a hard day. Emmy gets fed about 10 kibbles for breakfast in the morning (she is on pro plan weight management kibbles) and then she only gets 1 chicken wing for dinner (or drumstick). If she had a lot of snack at day, her meals are cut smaller. 1 and a half cup of kibbles is just way to much. Definitely take him to training or get a behaviourist out, sounds like he is very stressed about everything. Dont take it personally when he doesn't come when you call him... Emmy avoids me for a few hours after I give her a bath. They can be temperamental these Jap Spitz. When I make her do something she doesn't want to do, she goes somewhere to sulk and gives me these sad looks. Right now, don't feel sorry for him or yourself or put blame on anyone... what happens has happened. Just concentrate on getting him comfortable and stable. Work on developing a bond with him, because I can tell you that once the bond is form, you can't get a more loyal dog.

Emmy is just a very active dog and I'm pretty strict with her diet - if it was up to her she will eat 24/7; she loves FOOD! Also, Emmy gets walked everyday (sometimes twice a day) and she gets opportunity for a lot of free running. Having another dog does help with exercise too :p

Hi!! Naww, he looks like a cutie/sweetie! :) Some JS are bigger than some, it depends on their lines. Although, he could be a cross but he doesn't look like it. My girl is a tall girl, she is about 14" but she weight 6.5kg (although I do keep her lean on purpose). I have met male JS big as yours and weights 10kg+. My girl has cream stain around her ears too and it's a bit fuzzy, but I think it's due to the fact that her Samoyed brother likes using her ear as a chew toy though. Agree with the others about the toilet thing, he needs to get out often.. although what a good fella for holding it and not messing up the apartment.