My first drawback that I see, is on my walks. I do one for Chico and one for Carla. If I try both; Chico is trying to do his nature's desire, Carla is playing and trying to figure him out. I am trying to restrain Chico, while Carla is between my legs liking Chico. Now, how long maybe this goes on? If I got to be like SISYPHUS, so be it. any ideas as how long, or what to do? Dan

Took me almost 8 months to walk both at the same time, but I am slow

Dan, you may have already read this ebook but Ed does talk about this issue here:

http://leerburg.com/pdf/raisingtwopuppies.pdf

Are the dogs playing together during the day? If so, that is giving them time to develop a strong bond between themselves.

Also, Carla's too young to have any real strong obedience in place yet so you are probably expecting too much of her to be able to ignore her buddy and listen to you...

If Chico is not listening to you, it is going to take some additional training / perhaps corrections which you can't do if you are also walking Carla at the same time...

Sounds like separate walks my friend. Separate training. Separate playing, etc... If you want them focusing on YOU - they can't be with each other at this point.

I agree, the reason it took so long for me is A LOT of things need to be established BEFORE any interaction between the two. I pretty much waited until my younger one would listen to the come command while distracted with other things (birds, squirrel, leaves, butterflies), and then introduced the two very carefully to make sure the older one didn’t get too pushy with the puppy. They really didn’t have hardly any interaction for the first 8 months; one was always crated while the other was out. The older dog knew the puppy was off limits and had to leave her alone.

This process can go faster and slower depending on the dogs you are working with.

There is more to it, re-read some of the Ed-formation (introducing two dogs and the one Barbara said), and adapt to your situation.

Now, my younger one would much rather be with me than my other dog, well 90% of the time anyways, but will ALWAYS come when called.

It took me a while with my 2 but unlike your case both were pulling issues. A few good corrections and they understood ok listen to her .

I agree with Barbara, I think for now seperation in playing, training, and walking is key for them to understand to focus on you and nothing else. I know if my female is with another dog (other then my little one) she could care less about me but we're working on it .

What do they do for walks when they're seperate?

Hey Dan,
I have a male and female and walk/run them together. If I'm interpreting 'nature's desire' correctly, and I may not be, my male started thinking about nature's desire, or so-called 'humping' (of dogs, never people or objects) when he hit about 6-8 months of age. I very much agree that keeping them separate is important at this point, but,from my experience, it's never too early to correct for inappropriate 'humping'. A few strong early corrections will save you a lot of hassle later.

I hope this isn't a mis-intepretation of your situation.

I kept my dogs completely seperated until the younger one was 8 mo old. At that time, I would only walk them together but they were not out or together any other time. My younger dog was 2 before I would let them outside in the yard together & even then I was out there with then every minute. The younger one is a pest & would annoy the older one & she would not take it & would let him have it. He eventually learned to leave her alone & it was better. I still need to watch them when out together & in the house together, because they are high drive dogs & my female is very reactive & they will get into a tiff if I don't keep an eye on them.

My dogs both have such a bond with & focus on me that they would rather be with me then out in the yard running around together. They will both sit on the deck looking at the door waiting for me to come out...because they know that's when the fun REALLY begins. You don't get this from dogs that spend time with each other as pups & young dogs. You get that by being the center of their world.

Dan, this is what you need to do. It is 2x the work & dedication if you want to get the bond & focus for 'work' with your dog. If you don't, they will always look to each other & even other dogs for what they are not getting from you. This is one of the many reasons that it is not a good idea, for most people, to raise more than 1 pup at a time.

Also, Dan remember that your female can come into first heat anytime from 6 months on & often in the first heat doesn't always show alot of outward signs, but can still get impregnated.

Scott, I will be so lucky. Thanks buddy, I was expecting the unexpected, beside that all is going great. Dan

Yes Barbara, makes complete sense. Yes I read it, about the introduction of other dogs to the home. They are still separated, no playing time together, now that I have the houses in place, just need to insulate them and fence, all should happened next week. So I will continue to do one on one sessions. They are great, Carla is more attentive to every move, Chico is more guard like, always in prey mode when we walk (looking all around, ears front, and standing tall). Thanks for the reminder Sis. Dan

Scott, I ditto that, and I WILL take heed. I am going for my chair and take a my walks, and training. Dan