9 month old puppy, first season...

[ohsuzannah]

And I have an 11year old neutered male. I'm worried about him now because he's already showing interest, I didn't know that would happen ( yes, I'm naive)
Additionally , she is flirting with him, and it's only day 2 😕
Any advice?

Keep them apart would be the obvious one.

Even before this, she was incredibly attached to him, I think they would pine if I separated them.

If they are getting stressed you stand to do more damage to their long term relationship letting it play out than you’d do separating them tbh.

It depends how obsessed they are with each other. They need to learn to be independent anyway else they’ll not cope without the other. So sensible time to start. Really pup needs to be more into you than him as sweet as it looks when they are more bonded to each other.

@Newpeep
Thank you! She is really bonded with me too, as is the male. I think they will have to be parted soon 😐

Send your male to kennels or to live somewhere else for a few weeks. It has the potential to be really stressful for both of them (and you), plus when your girl is ready to mate they will try really hard to find a way even if it's through baby gates, crates etc. You REALLY don't want your girl getting pregnant at 9 months.

The male is neutered so he can't get her pregnant.

That said, neutered males can still tie and it can be incredibly painful for the female as well as stressful for both.

OP - do you have any family who can take your boy for a few weeks until the season is over? They do need to learn to cope apart at some point so this seems like a good time to start.

Ah, missed the bit that the male is neutered - should read more carefully!

My partner could take one of them for a few days at a time, the only trouble is, he lives in a flat. I hope we can sort something out, there isn't anyone else, all my friends and family have dogs 😩