1 dog or 2?

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Vicki1986

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I have had my puppy since October and he is really settled and we get along great.

I live on my own so he comes to work with me (where he preceeds to sleep in his bed all day except to get up for lunch and a quick whizz around then back to bed!!)

I was wondering about getting another pup. A little friend for him? when i walk him on his own we have fun but not nearly as much as if he goes out with his pals so i think he enjoys company.
When i have guests to the house he is very clingy and shy, he insists on being right by my side or on my lap and if the guest makes any sudden move or is loud, or touches me he growls a little. He's fine once he's met someone a few times but he is very unsure of strangers. I thought maybe a more confident pup might help him feel more confident and relaxed too - not sure thats a theory that works for dogs!

What do you think ?? do you think its better to have 2 dogs together?? i have got a 2 bed flat with a private back yard, my existing dog is toy breed so very small and i would go with the same group again as obviously i dont have an abdunance of space for anything larger.
 
I'd wait until he's a bit older to be honest. Perhaps sort out the growling etc with people with the young dog you had. It may make him more relaxed but on the other hand he might see it as "his" pup and be protective over that, may also rub off on the other dog then you have a doubled problem.

I think 2s fine eventually
 
I wouldn't get another one yet either, and to echo what has been already said, you need to sort out his growling at strangers before it turns into biting.

It sounds to me that he may be on his way to being dominant and is therefore protecting you from strangers. Sitting on your lap or in any way on the same level as you will not help. You also need to exclude him from your sleeping area, and many other things.

I am currently fostering a 2 yo Westie. I'm guessing he was chucked out, hence he was in the pound before being taken by a rescue. He has been allowed to become dominant, and so will not do as he is told, and does not like being stopped from doing what he wants, or made to do what he doesn't want to. I have the cuts, bruises and scratches to prove it. He was lucky not to have been pts or killed while straying. All because his original owners didn't lay down a few simple ground rules when he was a pup.

I'm not saying that you are like this, or that your dog will turn out like this. Just telling you what could happen if you are not careful, that's all...............
 
its not really growling its more grumbling under his breath! ive only ever heard him growl once and its not the same noise definately. And when he does this he is told off, he only does it for a short while then he goes to check them out and will go about his usual business.

I do already exclude him from my sleep area he is crate trained.

thanks for the advice but i think i have made him sound worse than he is. he is very shy and hides behind me when i talk to people in the street its only when people come into the home if he doesnt know them he is very unsure, but he is getting better.

Good idea about protecting a pup - i didnt think of that. i just presumed as he was the runt so he wouldnt be like that but thats a good point.

If i did get another i would prob find out when litters are planned but wouldnt want anything til early summer so he'd be 9 months + by then so may be better
 
Have you taken your pup to any sort of training classes? It sounds to me as if he really does need to be socialised. I definitely wouldn't get another pup just yet but would work on getting him over his nervousness.
 
Be careful when choosing another dog, even from the same breed. If yours is as shy as you say, the new dog could become the alfa dog and the dog you have now will be even more withdrawn.
If I were you I'd just keep the one and carry on socialising him regularly.
I have to say that I'm very glad you hear you discipline him. So many people see Toy dogs as 'cute' and think they don't need boundaries. Good on you!! Bunter - I'm with you on the 'lap sitting' - not a good thing to start, even if he is little! It creates a feeling of superiority.
Just a couple more little gems I've learned: Make sure you walk through doors before the dog (the alfa always goes first) and make sure you eat before the dog. You can eat a biscuit while you're putting his food in his bowl, out of his reach.

One more thing I've just thought of - watch the Dog Whisperer. He's got a lot of very sound things to say.
 
i've decided i will definately leave it for now atleast - he's happy on his own anyway so im worrying over nothing. His breeder is going to have another litter late this year so maybe i will revaluate the situation then
 
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