From what I have read on canine development, puppies who bite too hard often have been taken away from their mother and siblings too young. As others have said, a puppy's siblings will yelp if the bite is too hard and will refuse to play. That is intolerable to a pup, so it learns to moderate its bite and to play nicely with others. This lesson is used throughout the dog's life and is known as "bite inhibition." It keeps a puppy from biting its family too hard, a young dog from biting playmates too hard, a grown dog from biting the had that is giving a treat, and a family dog from chomping down on the hand of a toddler who has put it where the dog does not want the toddler to touch, as the dog tries to move the hand away! Yelping immediately when teeth touch you, turning away and stopping the interaction with the puppy, gives it the message that teeth on skin means all good things stop. Whether this is a good dog for you or not, I don't know. I would get the advice of a behaviorist. You might try to find a puppy play group where Molly can spend a few hours at a time, too, if you keep her. This would have to be with an experienced dog facility. I have found doggy day care to be the best thing for improving behavior at home. "A tired dog is a good dog." I believe that the standard is that no puppy should leave its litter mates and mom before 8 weeks of age. Some breeds may have an even older recommended adoption age. But always ask how old the pup was when it was surrendered. Look elsewhere if it was less than 8 weeks old. I wish you and Molly and your family the best!

I was surprised to see how small she was too. I agree with annz, she looks like a spaniel to me, not sure I see much Golden in her. " I realized as I crouched on the floor with her and rubbed her back while she got sick that on some level that I really do love her (finally). It's just a different love than before, but not in a bad way, if that makes sense." I had a similar situation with one of our dogs. We got her at about 3 yrs and for a long time I wondered if it was a mistake. Her behaviour was hmm, problematic in many ways which frustrated me. One day she had an allergic reaction and I realised just how worried I was for her, took her off to the after hours vet etc. The thing is, we do have different relationships with different pets. I've had really close relationships with about half the dogs I've ever owned, where they were like my baby and the bond was just so very strong. I didn't have this with all my dogs though, but I still loved them all very much and would do anything for them. Just my experience, but each of these relationships is different in it's own way but that doesn't mean something is wrong and it seems like you feel your bond with her should be just like it was with your pug girl, no I don't believe that. Treat each pet as an individual because each of them is a different dynamic.

I think 12 years as an only furbaby might be a problem. I've seen success with keeping the puppy crated in a common place, letting the cat approach as it wants, then taking turns with the run of the house for a while. Let the puppy have some time to roam free while the cat is tucked away someplace safe, then do the same with the cat. After a few days of this, then try uncrated contact. They will have become used to at least seeing each other and both their scents will be throughout the house.

That little guy is beyond adorable! I want to reach into the computer and take him out for some scritches and smooches... Long ago we had a pair of Airedales. Such wonderful dogs! They were happy dogs, easy to train, and loved children and other animals (such as kittens). I think he needs a rugged male name. Jake?