2nd dog or not?

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0310Star

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I am really undecided on this so wondered if anybody could help...

We have a 4 month old female Rottweiler pup. She is getting on really well and we are really pleased with her. Now my question is, what would people's thoughts be on getting a 2nd, older dog?
We have possibly been offered a 2 year old female Lab, my partner thinks she would be a fantastic addition and also something to keep the pup company whilst we are at work (we come back at lunch so longest time alone is about 4 hours). I have been looking online but all I can see is answers about getting a puppy with an already older dog, not the other way around. We live in a house with a secure garden so plenty of room!

We have said from the start we will eventually have another but I just wonder if she is still a little young?

Any advice would be great, pro's and con's! :)
 
Just to add, whatever and whenever we get a second dog we have agreed it will be a 1-2 year old rescue of some kind.
 
0310Star said:
Oh ok, would a dog be a better fit then do you think with regards to less fighting?
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Most definitely, if you get 2 bitches who fight there is nothing worse, I just think it will be a lot easier to deal with having opposite sexes. I do have 2 bitches living together quite happily as Im sure others do with no problems at all but just occasionally you do hear of instances where 2 bitches fight, I just thought it would be easier to rule out that possibility.
 
Dobiegirl said:
Most definitely, if you get 2 bitches who fight there is nothing worse, I just think it will be a lot easier to deal with having opposite sexes. I do have 2 bitches living together quite happily as Im sure others do with no problems at all but just occasionally you do hear of instances where 2 bitches fight, I just thought it would be easier to rule out that possibility.
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Thank you, that makes a lot of sense especially with them both being med/large breeds!
What would you say with regards to her age and getting another old dog? I have her puppy trainer calling tonight so I can have a chat with her about it, I really want to make the right decision here.
I think first and foremost I need to find out all I can about the other dog too!
 
If you are going for a large breed like another Rottie for example they dont finish maturing mentally until their 18months 2 yrs old so if you go for this age or preferably younger it will be easier in integrate with your dog and more likely to play with your dog. The downside is you will have 2 to train but whatever age you get a rescue dog unless you are very lucky its going to need some training.
 
If you have the time, and your Rottie is settled, then there is no reason not to - however I would making sure I could stay at home with them for a few weeks at least, is this feasible? :)
 
If you're out at work, who will be supervising the dogs? Personally, I wouldn't leave 2 dogs alone together if I didn't know them both really well and had seen them together over a period of weeks, or days at the very least. They have the opportunity to fight (regardless of gender) and/or teach each other all sorts of things.

I echo the comment about bitches that don't like each other. Most of ours were bitches (often 4 living together at a time) and we rarely had any problems. There were 2, however that disliked each other more and more each day. If 2 bitches go for it, there's just no solving the problem and one has to go. On the whole though, it's usually fine.

Could you not have some kind of doggy day care until she's grown up a little and you've got to know her better, before you get a 2nd dog? Is that a possibility?
 
There's almost a sense of "if its not broke don't fix it" with your situation..........

i.e. if you introduce another dog, then there will inevitably be a time of re-adjustment. Your pup is going to feel insecure, and you might find she reacts aggresively to the newcomer and/or possesively over you as her existing pack leader, and the new dog will in turn need to adjust to the situation.

I would never ever leave a new combination alone for even ten minutes, let alone a few hours. You simply don't know what could happen, your house/things could get totally trashed but more importantly you could have a massacre basically if you are not totally 101% sure about the two dog's you are leaving together. You may need to consider introducing crating them, yes I realise that's a sticky topic on here but for some dogs it actually works as it gives them a place of safety. But you will need to be introducing this NOW with your rottie pup if this is something you feel may offer you a solution in future. Please note: crating should NOT be used for putting dogs for a prolonged period of time - certainly not for the four hours that you would be at work for. It might help when you introduce the "new" dog to give them both a place of safety whilst at the same time being aware of the other dog's scent & presence in the close vicinity.

Are you due any holidays/time off? So you can spend time introducing the two dogs, if that is the way you decide to do. Bear in mind that if you do go for an older rescue dog it will have issues of its own and unless you're prepared to take on whatever those are, best not to go there.

We've always found that opposite's work well, i.e. dog & bitch. We're currently going through the pain of introducing a rescue bitch to our existing terrier. I work from home, so can be here more-or-less when I need, and I tell you what, it is bleddi hard work!!! You need to be constantly on the watch to see what is happening. The rescue we had wasn't really trained for toiletting so we had several piddles and poo's in the house for the first week, plus our existing little dog, having already lost his pair bond, then had to get used to the interloper. We are still facing a few challenges but hopefully we will get there!! Phew. Its exhausting. So be prepared for this.

I personally think dogs as pack animals thrive on company, like horses basically, but there are some dogs who are quite happy being the only dog. If you are going to introduce another dog to yours, you need to do it carefully and sensitively - and whilst I support the ethos of rehoming a rescue they really are a huge commitment and you don't always know what issues you will have to deal with.

With our new dog, we were able to see her in her foster home first; which was really helpful - and essential, in my view. So if you are looking for a rescue, then this is an important, nay, vital, point to consider.
 
Just to say, I debated about a second dog for ages, having had a one-dog household for 7 years. I felt like the right dog might be a confidence giver. The new dog was 18 months and despite being shot down in flames by one or two people on here for getting another, they settled straight away and are a great pair together. The young dog gives the older one confidence, and he's much more relaxed with her around. To introduce them, I took "old" dog for a walk (he was mine before I met OH so is bonded to me more strongly and I didn't want any jealousy) while OH brought along the new dog so we all met on neutral territory. I was amazed - no barking, nothing. This from an older dog who barked at everything before, having been attacked by a springer and left permanently defensive. We all walked quietly back to the house and they've never looked back. It can be done, you just need to be attentive and let the dogs dictate the pace.
 
Thank you all so much for your replies!! If we go ahead with the second dog they will have 2 seperate rooms, albeit next door to each other, for the first few weeks whilst we establish how well they get along. we also have a cameral linked to our phones which sends us a notification anytime there is any kind of noise made by the dog which will definitely put my mind at rest also.
She is quite happy being the only dog but at the same time she loves the company of others when friends bring their dogs round or seeing them out and about which has made me think a lot about how I really do think she would like a companion.

Definitely a lot to take on board here and think about, thank you all so much for your replies :)
 
if you get a second dog .get them to meet on neutral grounds first.take them for a walk together and establiah ground rules as soon as new dog comes into house.i have 7 bitches living together.few of them are spayed some are not as they are breeding dogs.good luck finding another dog.x.
 
That's good advice re neutral ground.

We have spoken to the dog trainer who is helping us with her and she has advised waiting until she is 6-9 months minimum so that she doesn't bond more with the new dog than us, we need a firm relationship with her first which makes a lot of sense.
We are going away in September so we have decided that as soon as we get back we will start looking as she will be 10 months then :)
 
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