[Lara's mom]

By Monday, I was so convinced that my girls would never accept the new puppy (Lancelot) that I was crying as I packed up all of his Christmas presents in preparation for him being returned to his breeder the next day.

Then, a miracle happened. Lara, who had been running away from him and begging to be picked up so that he couldn't bother her, suddenly began to play with Lance! The two of them had a riot chasing one another, play fighting, playing tug of war, etc. They've been quite happy together ever since.

On the other hand, Bailey has NOT warmed up to the puppy at all but, has finally stopped trying to "protect Lara" from Lance. Lance is learning to leave Bailey alone and there is a lot less growling, snarling and showing of teeth. Bailey looks at Lance "as if there is a bad smell in the room." She isn't too happy with Lara either. I think she sees her as a traitor.

This just may work out after all. It would have broken my heart to have had to give him up. Lance is a lovely little boy; very affectionate and amazingly smart for his age. He almost always does "his business" on the paper! He comes when he's called and is beginning to learn the meaning of the word, "no" although his memory can be somewhat selective. He has discovered the toy box (there are a LOT of toys in this house) and spends a lot of time emptying it and selecting his favourite ones.

What a relief!!! I'm beginning to think this is going to work out just fine, despite a very rocky start.

[CorkyMax]

Originally Posted by Lara's mom

By Monday, I was so convinced that my girls would never accept the new puppy (Lancelot) that I was crying as I packed up all of his Christmas presents in preparation for him being returned to his breeder the next day.

Then, a miracle happened. Lara, who had been running away from him and begging to be picked up so that he couldn't bother her, suddenly began to play with Lance! The two of them had a riot chasing one another, play fighting, playing tug of war, etc. They've been quite happy together ever since.Very good to hear!

On the other hand, Bailey has NOT warmed up to the puppy at all but, has finally stopped trying to "protect Lara" from Lance. Lance is learning to leave Bailey alone and there is a lot less growling, snarling and showing of teeth. Bailey looks at Lance "as if there is a bad smell in the room." She isn't too happy with Lara either. I think she sees her as a traitor. Lol, but now I am feeling sorry for Bailey! She prob. feels dejected/rejected. Being the older dog (Prob. feeling her age right now too --with 2 younger dogs that have all this new energy) and having lost ' her herd'--Lara, probably feels lost with 'no job' of taking care of Lara. Now she needs a new job! I hope she finds one otherwise she may get depressed and don't think it would be too healthy for her to feel that way! Forgot how old you said she was. Even though she is an 'old grump' right now--She prob. needs more loving attention and something to do to keep her spirits up! And it does say in my breeds book that they thrive on hard work and play. It also says they can be scrappy and jealous with other dogs. Lance and Bailey will have to work out that part, But think you should find Bailey something new to do, esp. something that will make her feel important and that she is doing something for you to make her feel needed and necessary. Just an idea: These dogs (according to my book) like children----Could you take her to see hospitalized kids or other situations where kids are that would love seeing Bailey---Just take her (w/o the other 2 dogs) and make her feel important and also would be a new 'job' in her eyes. Maybe make it a routine to do a couple times a week?

This just may work out after all. It would have broken my heart to have had to give him up. Lance is a lovely little boy; very affectionate and amazingly smart for his age. He almost always does "his business" on the paper! He comes when he's called and is beginning to learn the meaning of the word, "no" although his memory can be somewhat selective. He has discovered the toy box (there are a LOT of toys in this house) and spends a lot of time emptying it and selecting his favourite ones.

What a relief!!! I'm beginning to think this is going to work out just fine, despite a very rocky start.

Hope it all works out but I honestly see the biggest problem may be getting Bailey to feel "wanted and needed' (in her eyes).

[Lara's mom]

Strangely enough, this has actually worked out well for Bailey. While the other two are playing in the other room, I have lots of time to focus on Bailey. We snuggle up and read or watch the TV while the other two are doing their thing. She is starting to see this as a good thing!!!

[superfly jacks]

I am so happy that both Lara and Lance are getting along.
I knew that in just a very short time they would become best of friends and what better fun is it then one jack but 2.

[Lara's mom]

Kim: You are a genius!!! I never thought I would see this day. You have no idea how relieved I am!!! Yesterday, Lance decided that it might be fun to chase my cat. Bailey grabbed him by the scruff of the neck, put him right down to the floor and told him off in no uncertain terms, just like you told me that a mother would discipline a puppy. How she knew to do that I will never be able to figure out since Bailey was spayed at 6 months of age and therefore never had puppies. Anyway, he now gives my cat a VERY wide berth!!!

Corky/Max: Bailey has transferred her protective instincts to my cat Holly. (read above.) Also, since the two Jacks are busy "doing their own thing", Bailey and I are getting loads of time to spend together which she loves. I make sure that she and I take one walk a day that is just her and me. She loves that!!! We snuggle up on the sofa together and I feed her her favourite treats while we watch TV or I read what ever book I'm into out loud to her. Slowly but surely, she is starting to realise that Lance being here doesn't take away anything from her and that she is still and always will be "top dog." I don't think it is a job that she was worried about. I think she was more worried that Lance would replace her in my heart which she is now seeing won't happen so, she is much happier.

[CorkyMax]

Originally Posted by Lara's mom

Kim: You are a genius!!! I never thought I would see this day. You have no idea how relieved I am!!! Yesterday, Lance decided that it might be fun to chase my cat. Bailey grabbed him by the scruff of the neck, put him right down to the floor and told him off in no uncertain terms, just like you told me that a mother would discipline a puppy. How she knew to do that I will never be able to figure out since Bailey was spayed at 6 months of age and therefore never had puppies. Anyway, he now gives my cat a VERY wide berth!!!

Corky/Max: Bailey has transferred her protective instincts to my cat Holly. (read above.) Also, since the two Jacks are busy "doing their own thing", Bailey and I are getting loads of time to spend together which she loves. I make sure that she and I take one walk a day that is just her and me. She loves that!!! We snuggle up on the sofa together and I feed her her favourite treats while we watch TV or I read what ever book I'm into out loud to her. Slowly but surely, she is starting to realise that Lance being here doesn't take away anything from her and that she is still and always will be "top dog." I don't think it is a job that she was worried about. I think she was more worried that Lance would replace her in my heart which she is now seeing won't happen so, she is much happier.

Hey, this makes a very good start to the new year!! What a difference a week made! I can just picture the whole scene right now--all 5 of you enjoying life as a family and each one 'fitting in.' Bailey must be starting to recognise that Lance is part of the family and is accepting it or just think what she could of done when she disciplined Lance for going after Holly!---Instead she was like a mother hen-putting all 'chicks' in their place---no violence! You know this is a good learning experience for all of you! (Enrichment on everybody's part!) Lol, too bad you can't have a friend take a pic. of all 5 of you together!--Would of been a good pic to share with us members too! Enjoy! Happy for you all.:mrgreen:

[Lara's mom]

The chances of my being able to get the whole lot of them to sit still and look at the camera long enough for anybody to actually snap a decent picture are about as likely as a snowball fight in hell but, I'll try!!! I have a CD with Lance's baby pic's on it. If I ever figure out how to get a picture from the CD to the forum, I'll post some.

[cigwyllt]

So glad things are going well. It's great when the pressure is taken off you and you can just take one day at a time. So glad that Bailey is getting something positive from the whole experience too.

[Lara's mom]

I am so relieved!!! It would have broken my heart to have had to return him to Kim (She is the breeder (Grandma) of both Lara and Lance but they are 2 years apart. BTW, I think I recall you saying something about breeding Jacks...Kim has a question about line breeding that nobody has offered an opinion on. If you know anything about it, could you give her your opinion? The post is in the breeders' forum.

Thanks for that and all of your encouragement.

[DoggieVogue]

Glad to hear that every thing is working out for you and your crew!