The journey of Cash - my Hovawart Photos

Gorgeous boy, once you get the adrenaline rush youll forget about everyone else x

Cash is here!!

He seems pretty settled already and is very sweet and gentle. He's had two poos outside and a few wees. I introduced him to Tyler out on a walk. Cash had an initial bark at him ( and two other dogs later this evening too ) which worried me initially. I didn't expect him to be barky like that, but I'm thinking it's maybe shock at how Ty appeared from around the corner? Is that normal? I haven't introduced him to Missy yet as she's more issuey and with her reactivity problems she needs more careful management, so that will come in the next couple of days.

Ty is hesitant of him I guess. Is sticking to me like glue! But otherwise not really paying the puppy much attention and Cash has barely acknowledged him either. So that looking ok right now. Will take them out again tomorrow morning ( once I've got Cash in the car. He doesn't know how to get in the back yet! lol )

So yes, all in all a good first afternoon. Cash is a bit whiney, but that is to be expected after leaving everything he has known for the past four months. Tried him in the crate with one of his chews earlier and he's not to fond of being contained! He's currently sprawled out beside me on the floor! His breeders provided a fantastic puppy pack including toys, two bags of food, chews, treats and a blanket. He's been enjoying the toy already

A couple of pics...







And one to show you the size scale between him & Ty. Ty is rather worried looking here, it was the first meeting.

Yay - your lovely puppy is finally home!

Lots of cuddles from me please!

wow hes home. hes so cute and big!

Awww hes adorable, I am sure things will settle down soon

Cash really is big puppy, can't wait t see more photos of him

Thanks everyone.

Our first night went smoothly. Cash ended up sleeping in my room from around 12am until 8.30 this morning and I didn't hear a peep from him. I tried him in his crate beforehand as I really didn't want him in my room, at least not yet anyway. I wanted it to be a safe place for Ty and eventually Missy, but he was to noisy. I've put him in the crate twice so far today and he has done MUCH better so it's a case of persevering I think and training throughout the days.

Him and Ty are avoiding each other pretty much. Rather that then lots of snarking and growling so it's not to bad. But I AM feeling slightly guilty for Tyler and Missy. They was so happy as they was before and Ty just seems so solemn and worried by Cash' presence right now

I haven't introduced Missy yet still. Plan on taking them out for walks first before bringing Missy home. I'm thinking if they can accept each other out on a walk first, they'll integrate better within the home. Might be a long process though.

Cash is doing good though. He's been a bit mouthier today but still generally pretty calm and well mannered. He keeps a respectful distance from Ty. He has been letting out little grumbles at dogs he's been spotting though, and later on this afternoon at a bike too. I'm thinking ( hoping ) it's just because everything is new. But with one reactive dog already I always think the worst when this kind of behaviour crops up. Just giving him time to settle in now.

He's sitting more reliably today and is such a foody! But haven't really started any training with him, although have contacted a local puppy class.

Another picture from yesterday that my sister took

Well, I think I'm suffering from the "puppy blues" I've heard it's completely normal. But I'm just feeling generally confused about Cash, and I'm not bonding with him very well or knowing what to do with him really. That doesn't really make sense, but what I mean is that I've started training him a sit and down which he's caught on to quickly. But there is something about his personality that is making me unsettled.

He is still barking at passers by. So far everyone has said that's normal and what do you expect etc. Fair enough. But I'm trying to distract him by calling his name and he's not really paying much attention. He doesn't really bother if I have a toy, although haven't tried treats yet. Perhaps that would be better because he is SUCH a foodie. So much so that HE went for my poor Tyler tonight and I was really upset by that. He's ONLY 4 months old. Is that normal? Ty didn't react back at all and just continues to avoid him. But to me, that's just not tolerable. I get that it is actually witnessed in puppies of a young age. There is a video on the Leerberg website ( don't like the trainer BTW, but I saw it years ago ) of a litter of young puppies and certain puppies displaying food aggression tendencies already. But any tips on how to handle that would be GREATLY appreciated! Now my mum is thinking that perhaps the reason why Ty is avoiding him so much ( and why Missy hasn't reacted at him - more on that in a minute ) is because maybe they can tell he is more intimidating or "dominating" then what they are?

So we introduced Missy yesterday and she just floored us all with her response. She didn't react at him ONCE. Not a growl, lunge, snark, nothing. I mean, she has NEVER not reacted at another dog on the first meeting. Fantastic! Today they was walking off lead together. Pup was doing so good with them both on the walk, trying to initiate play ( not getting a response lol ),

We took him for a vet visit earlier for a free health check upon new registration. Cash was SO good. Although I thought he turned rather sharpish a couple of times. Both could be forgiven or mistaken, I don't know. Perhaps I'm imagining things now. My dad who was with me didn't seem to think he acted out of the norm.

I'm just concerned about these couple of issues. While most multi dog households accept that the odd scrap is unavoidable, I have never had to deal with any "issues" between Missy & Ty before and really don't want the pup bring them to the table now and upsetting the apple cart. I mean, I don't want full blown fights on my hand, or the puppy scaring my dogs so much they're walking on egg shells in their own home.

Any tips guys? Do you think I'm right to be concerned?

Its early days yet so wouldn't worry to much about not bonding, he is still young and you haven't know each other very long For some people the bond doesn't happen instantly, it might take a while, just give it a time .
Training can help build a bond, so might be worth considering training classes, but I find the best way is playing , if he’s not interested you will have to work hard to get him to learn and enjoy playing with ball/toy' playing offers mental stimulation and a way to burn off energy.
I take it he went for Tyler over food, ive never had any problems with puppies and my older dogs they used to share toys/bones and though fed in same room they were taught not to go to each others dishes.
The easiest solution is to separate them at meal times and feed him in a different room, that way the others will feel more comfortable and he has been removed from the situation.

I've got him signed up for classes next Thursday. I think it will help with bonding and just giving me a confidence boost really. He LOVES to play and we spend a lot of time throughout the day doing that. I just took him out back for a short training session too.

Yes, he went for Tyler. Which like I said, I found a little concerning. As you said you kind of expect puppies to be non confrontational and that do share treats/toys. Usually expecting the older dogs to be the problem if anything. I am trying my best to get him to wait. The first day he was here he went straight over to Ty's bowl and I knew that could end badly so I've been trying to prevent him since. That is what I was doing earlier. Had him sitting beside me and had been giving him the odd treat for good behaviour....until Ty passed by that is.

I always removed bowls when dogs had finished eating, until you've mastered the 'wait it might be worth doing.
Another game mine love is 'hiding titbits around the room, i make it easy at first and guide the youngsters then build up to hiding behind table legs furniture ect: i still do it with my two.

I had removed the bowls. Ty was simply walking by to go back in the living room. I actually didn't even have treats on me at that point either, but because food had just been around I'm assuming that was the trigger.

I like the idea of the hiding titbits around the room. Although I would have to be careful that wouldn't trigger anything if the food smell lingers.....

To be truthful I have never had a 16 week old puppy take on a adult dog before, its always been the other way round, I know this might sound strange but is the puppy food you're feeding Cash on filling him up, as that might be why he went for Ty, the only thing I could suggest is speak to breeder to see if he as shown aggression where food when he was still with them.

As for puppy barking at strangers that's not what puppies do they normally whine, wriggle the back ends along with their tails & want hugs.

I'm not realy sure what your concerns are... Do you think you have a bolshy pup or are you worrying that you may have a temperament issue surfacing .

Given the breed and the fact they are still in a way are a little primitive, ( this means they have not mean tempered down to the sort of dog we are used to living with as pets) there pre disposed characteristics are still at the forefront of their temperament, add to that having your breeder in a different country , you only have their word on the sort of socialisation they give and what the temperaments of parents are like.

But to be honest, the going for your resident dog,( what was it) could be simple a bolshy pup that has not been taught any manners, the same at the vets he may simple be flexing his muscle and objecting to having to do something he does not want to.

I think it might help if you can join a breed club, speak to other owners and breeders, voice your concerns and get them to put your mind at rest.

You have bought a breed that is not yet numerically large, I remember speaking to some folk a few years back at a show who had them and they said, this breed is still very much in its primitive state...and needs owners who understand this, they said it's going to take a few years to get the temperament they want for the above average pet home.


I am sure you did your homework on the breed so understand the character involved, they are a stunning breed and I have met a few at shows,

I don't think you have anything to worry about, let the dogs teach him some manners, but do your bit as well by setting boundaries around food and toys, he needs to learn he has to accept things you need from him without him protesting.


But speak to others in the breed they are the best way for you to learn what's normal and if anything needs to be worried over.

Those are exactly the reasons I'm slightly concerned Tina. I'm glad you see what I mean. I've been told it's all "normal" so far but I don't know, I'm not convinced.

With strangers he will stand alert, tail up, and kind of "brrr" at them ( if you know what I mean ). Once they approach he's ok. Not overly friendly, but not shying away either.

I'm a little nervous in contacting the breeder. I DID mention to them the barking behaviour the first day but they just said it was general unsettled(ness) which I agreed with.

Funny you should mention the food, because I've only been feeding him two meals a day. The vet said he should be having three. He does eat like he's half starving! So increased meals from now.

But those are exactly the traits of the breed, they are a territorial protective breed, that should be weary of strangers.....as I said they are a primitive breed, and depending on where you gave got them from will depend on how tempered down these traits will be.

There is no point in listening to others say , they have never seen this behaviour in pups, if they gave no experience of such breeds then they won't gave.

You have bought a breed that has a high in protective territorial instinct, such breeds need far more socialisation than most other breeds, As I said above, you need to speak to people who are experienced in this breed to set your worries aside.

At his age he should be on 4 meals a day....

I guess my concerns are that it could be a temperament issue surfacing, yes.

I'm not sure whether I would consider his behaviour bolshy or that he hasn't been taught by previous dogs correct manners as he's VERY respectful in all other ways towards Ty. Doesn't initiate play, doesn't bother him in bed, doesn't generally approach him. I've been pleasantly surprised. He's kept his distance from Missy too. I do think he has great dog communication skills.

I'm hoping to join the breed club and am in contact with another Hovawart owner/breeder who has been very helpful thus far. Like you said, it does help to speak to people in the breed. And like I said, I was prepared for certain behaviours to crop up and knew the breed is watchful and guardy by nature. I think I'm more taken aback that it's apparent so soon.

The problem with my Ty is that he didn't correct pup for his behaviour earlier. I think it would have been better if he had. I just don't want Cash thinking he can boss him around if he learns he can. So I feel I need to step in on Ty's behalf.

I'm going to put it down to a one off tonight. Cash was over tired and very hungry. I'm going to start increasing his feeds and see if that helps too.

Yes you do need to step in if Ty does not educate cash...sadly some dogs are so laid back it can cause a bolshy pup to become a bully, so if cash gets to much, step in and remove him from the situation.