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Subject: Raising 2 puppies?

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lacollins

Rattie

10/20/2008 12:36 PM
Curious how other rat terrier moms out there have raised puppies together. Please help with tips. Is it common for rat terriers to play sooo rough? Is it normal to have the older pup lick the younger privates. I've never had 2 animal so I'm just wondering about there behavior. Dora is 10 months and weighs 16 pounds and Dakota is 4 months weighs 10 pounds. Dora sleeps in bed with hubby and me and Dakota has been trained to sleep on her doggie bed. We have put Dakota in a playpen with her bed next to our bed. We have found that is the easiest way to get some sleep. Both puppies are way too interested in each other. Dora will get up several time a night to check on Dakota and Dakota seems to really calm down and go right to sleep when we put her in her bed. We tried to separate them the 1st night but nobody slept. Last night was great with Dakota in the playpen in our room with Dora. What works for you ?

Tammie

Ratastic

10/20/2008 12:53 PM
I only have one Rattie at the moment. She is ten months old today. I have been considering getting a second dog, have even gone as far as going to shelters to meet some. But so far I have been able to resist the temptation... not sure how. To be totally honest, the issues you are dealing with are playing a role in my hesitation. So I am eager to read the replies from others who have already gone through the process of adding another dog.

That's my baby girl, Bijou and her little brother Banjo, they are Toy Rat Terriers. http://www.dogster.com/dogs/749214 http://www.dogster.com/dogs/939035

DaisysMom

Moderator
<b>Moderator</b>

10/20/2008 1:00 PM
Rough play is normal, especially, I think with ones so young. It does, however, need to be observed by you/adults for a while to make sure that it never gets out of hand. Not sure about the licking, but it doesn't sound "abnormal". Perhaps Dora is "mothering" Dakota? Regarding the sleeping arrangements, I would say whatever works for you all and the dogs should be fine. If Dakota is satisfied in the playpen and Dora in the bed and everyone gets a solid night's sleep, I would continue with that

Tracey - Darlin' Daisy's Mom

Tinkerbelle's Mommy

Terrier Terror

10/20/2008 1:02 PM
Well, my pups are littermates, so that may be different. But, yes they play rough and then they pile on each other to sleep like they are the bestest buddies. Mine all lick each others privates and ears and everywhere else! I think my Tinkerbelle, their Mommy, cleaned them constantly and they picked it up. I've seen neighbors mouths drop as they clean each other after they potty and I just laugh. They are taking care of each other. It sounds like Dora is doing a good job playing Mama Dog. I think they will be fine together.

lacollins

Rattie

10/20/2008 1:07 PM
really happy to hear your feed back. i do think Dora is acting like a mama.thanks

daisydeux

Ratastic

10/20/2008 1:14 PM
I'm sure no expert, but boy I LOVE having 2!!!!!!And boy do they rough & tumble!!!!!!!! Bitey face, and the FUNNIESt "trying to be vicious" noises, but you can tell that they both love every second of it!!!!

rattagan's mom

Rat-A-Tat-Tat

10/20/2008 1:31 PM
Okay I have an 11 year old, a 10 year old, one that will 1 year friday and one that will be 3 months Friday. The one year old Cameo thinks she is Momma to Nala the 3 month old. She licks Nala everywhere and I mean everywhere. Nala and Cameo play rough, I mean really rough, Nala has hurt Cameo a time or two not bad just enough to make her yelp and Nala lets go. It also works the other way around, Cameo makes Nala cry and she lets go. Neither one means to hurt the other but they're puppies. Sometimes I separate them so they can calm down and then let them play some more. Even though it sounds like vicious fighting you can plainly see that they are having fun but sometimes get too over excited and nips a little too hard. I stop any behaviour that I don't want with a loud "HEY" or I break out the water bottle, which none of them like. They dislike it so much that most times all I have to do is pick it up and it all comes to a screeching halt. It is up to you to teach them the behaviour you want them to display and to stop them from unwanted behaviour. Otherwise having more than one is a total joy. I have, like I said 4 of my own, Rattagan, Cutter, Cameo and Nala Belle. I have one foster dog Cricket and am getting a mom with 5 pups to foster as well. So come Sunday I will have 11 dogs.

Janie, Ratty,Cameo,Cutter and Nala Belle's Mom Show your furbaby how much you love them brush their teeth today! It saves them pain "tomorrow." Janie L.

p5prolady

Ratastic

10/20/2008 1:59 PM
While Lacey is older, she does love having a little sister, and we are laughing almost all day with the antics that go on. Lacey has started to groom Pokey the last couple of weeks. We have been letting them share our bed, we let them have a couple of minutes of nighty night play, then we annouce it is time to sleep and lift up the covers. Lacey heads for DH's side of the bed, and Pokey stays on my side. The funniest game we have is when Pokey gets under the upside down snuggly bed and "walks" it around the room while Lacey tries to overturn it. We have owned two dogs for many years, and we have never had a problem. But I also know many people who have only one and are very happy too.

Bobbi Mom to Lacey and Pokey Nana to Daegen and Caleb

tiggarat

Bratty Ratty

10/20/2008 2:31 PM
my ratties are littermates...they play rough, so I do watch them and break things up when I think they are getting carried away...especially when the dobie decides to play with them too (she would never mean to hurt them, but she does forget how much bigger she is than them sometimes). when I first brought home the ratties, Rosie (dobie) would lick them everywhere, especially after they went potty, but has stopped that once they were housetrained...she still "checks" them, and cleans their ears, though. Rosie loves being their adoptive "mama dog." they all sleep in my bedroom most nights (Rosie will decide to sleep in the living room some nights)...with the ratties on my bed, and Rosie on the doggie bed, simply because I can't have all 3 on my bed and actually be able to sleep...they're all fine with it. whatever sleeping arrangement works for you and your ratties is fine...there is really no right or wrong, as long as everyone gets enough sleep at night.

Lisabeth furbabies: Lucy and Molly (1 1/2 yr old decker ratties), and Rosie (3 yr old dobie) Buddy - gone but never forgotten. "I don't think he has any idea he's a dog, really. Of course, he thinks he has a rather odd figure for a man" - Dodie Smith

braeli_bryson

Terrier Terror

10/20/2008 2:38 PM
B&B were raised togther from 13 weeks old... they def play rough... and both spend all their time together... to the point that they cry and search for one another if they arent together... both have always slept in our bed with us... my 2 lick each others provates and hump in the process (both fixed)... i posted videos... to us itrs normal... understood not at all... bryson also licks braeli clean, head to toe... lol i dont know if its mothering (at least not in my case, maybe fathering.. lol).... but i think atleast in my case i have been told bryson is treating braeli as alpha... showing his respect.

"No one knows YOU better than YOU!" gianni_mahopac, ny bryson: pearl tri color \| braeli: chocolate tri color.

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