Viclab

Just to emphasis other's comments. I had exactly the same experience with my 8 year old lab and new pup this year. It took more than ten days for her to sit on the same mat with him; she snapped and walked off, even though I'd always thought she was the friendliest dog on the planet. Once she'd made him realise she was the boss... she literally started letting him walk all over her (except when she didn't want to, and would find her own space). Now they adore each other, but it was a very stressful adjustment time for the humans! ;)

Thanks, the big old boy was an amazing dog and we were very sad to lose him to spinal problems at 12 1/2. I should have mentioned that the 8 year old has never had a nasty word with a dog in her life, she is very sociable. I waited until two nights ago, after it was clear they were happy to sit around in the sun and inside together during the day (I'm on holidays so I'm with them all the time. They are inside with us during the evening, sleeping in the lounge, and then they go out about 9.30-10pm; I get them in again at 5.45 am. The first night Lucca, cried and scratched at the back door for about 5-10 mins, and then at the side bedroom window for a couple of minutes. Then he followed Murphy's path to the kennel on the side verandah and didn't make a peep again until I went out in the morning to find Murph on the snoozer and Lucca playing with her without her complaining at all. Last night he didn't whinge or cry at all. The weather has been quite mild which is good, and they'll be fine year round in the kennel as it's well protected. So, the crating isn't really practical for us, but we seem to have been fortunate with the two dogs getting along very well together, just as Murphy did with the old dog. I'll try to work out how to upload a photo of the pup and the old dog together. Puppy is looking forward to Puppy preschool next week.

Thanks. The older dog is gradually relaxing and starting to play. The puppy is very resilient and persistent, so I think things will be fine in a few nights' time (and hopefully it will have stopped raining!). Luckily, he's been sleeping really well in his play pen and hardly crying at all, waiting til I take him out to pee a couple of times a night. Also I am on holidays at the moment so we're doing lots of supervised play and giving the older dog time out on her own. Hopefully soon she'll be happily sharing the kennel with her puppy brother.

OK, as of this afternoon, our 8 year old female lab, Murphy, has the most gorgeous 8 week old puppy to share with. Her "big brother" went to the rainbow bridge last month - they'd never really been apart. So far, she has ignored, sniffed, barked and growled (only once). From memory, her big brother was like this with her. The question is, will 3 or 4 nights in a playpen in the bathroom be enough before Lucca can sleep outside with her? How do we decide when it will be OK? She is a very friendly dog, but obviously this is a new experience for her. The pup is extremely well socialized and responding well to her. Subtly insinuating himself into her space in a non-threatening way, keeping clear when required. Thanks for your opinions.