Dog parents...

[WillParkinson]

Have you ever had a puppy that was separated from his mother at too young of an age 'adopt' an older dog in the family as a surrogate mom?

Bailey:


seems to have done that with Misty


He doesn't want to be away from her. Tries to sleep next to her (if she'll allow) and always wants to play and wrestle with her. Misty doesn't seem to be too amused by it and will only allow it for a while before she gets grumpy.

Is this normal?

[arwalden]

1. I'd Say "Absolutely Normal"... Dogs Are Very VERY Social Animals

and crave contact, guidance, affection, and play from others... whether it's humans or other dogs. Especially puppies. I'd imagine that their emotional "neediness" is something that's part of their makeup that helps to ensure their survival by not straying too far away from the protection of their mother or the pack itself.

-- Allen

Ain't puppies fun??

[WillParkinson]

3. Bailey is a handful...

He's not quite gotten the hang of 'outside' for peeing but honestly tries, I believe.

He's a sweetheart, though. He sleeps in the bed with us (Misty, Heidi and me) and is curled up between Misty and me. He'll stay there almost all night.

He's a bit too rambunctious for Misty who loves to play but only when it's a good time for her.

[molly]

2. I think it's normal

and I also think you should reward Misty when she helps take care of Bailey. Maybe a pig ear or a chew stick?

[WillParkinson]

5. Ear...

All the kids get treats at the same time. I think Heidi is experiencing a bit of jealousy at the new pup. She doesn't want to be around him. If he gets near her on the couch she'll get up and move away. We have to play a bit extra with her so she knows that she's loved.

[boobooday]

4. Oh my god, they're too cute!

Actually, we got a cat that might have been a little too young, and she adopted our dog. It's mostly a one-way kind of love, but not always.

http://www.wgoeshome.com

[WillParkinson]

8. Thank you kindly...

Misty is my BIG baby. Bailey is my baby baby. <grin>

[amandae]

6. It sounds normal to me.

My brother had a dog that was taken away from her mother WAY too early (mom was taken to the pound with the other puppies and my brother took the one he had already picked out). This puppy wasn't allowed near the other dogs my parents had because she was way too small to be near them. This dog is absolutely insane though. I think it's because she was away from her mom too early. She is SO clingy to my parents, first my mom and now my dad. When my brother moved out he had to leave the dog at my parent's house because she was so attached to my mom. She's crazy smart (last Christmas she picked out only her own presents from under the Christmas tree, unwrapped them and hid them under my parent's bed!!).

I think her serious dependancy issues are from being away from her mom too early. She was only a few weeks old when her mom went to the pound. I could easily see how your dog would look to the other dog as a substitute for mom if he was taken away from his own mom too early ...

[WillParkinson]

7. Bailey has SEVERE separation anxiety!

We have to keep him away from the girls when they eat because he's got puppy food so we put him on the porch. We can only do that for about 10 minutes before he starts scratching and crying.