Advice Please

Gingerbird

Gingerbird

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27 February 2006
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Hi all,

Haven't posted in here for years so apologies for just jumping in asking for advice.

I just wondered when all you one dog owners decided to get a 2nd what the considerations were?

I have the most adorable JRT, he's 4 and he's been with me since he was 4 months old. He is the perfect, take anywhere, do anything with dog and we adore each other.

However I have been given the chance to take on a 6 month old JRT cross bitch. She's so sweet to look at etc but I haven't met her yet.

I just want your advice about if and how your relationship changes with one when you get another.

Any comments at all appreciated xx
 
My best advice is don't expect them to be best buds from the start and don't force them to be best buds, give it time. Let each of them have their own space, be prepared for the odd grizzle and don't be freaked out by it.

My two fellas (had one of 3.5, I owned him for three of those years, added a four month old pup earlier this year) are not bosom buddies but I have the time and space to make it work.
The young dog immediately slotted in 'above' him (B has always needed if not craved leadership) so I would not try and interfere too much if the pecking order changes (with yourself at the top, obviously!)
My older dog was only alone for about two months, we had his sister before that, but the dynamic has definitely changed. I do try and treat them as equally as I can.

Pups can be boisterous and annoying and an established dog may get fed up - do let the older dog have an escape route.
Do be prepared to have to train the younger one separately too.
 
We had Daisy our Springer who is now 13 - We had her when she was older (5) we got Honey 2 years later a 8 weeks old pup - Daisy really wasnt too impressed at this pup who chewed on her ears and jumped all over her.

Even now Daisy still tell her off 6 years later - tbh i think its the age gap - Daisy was grown up by the time Honey came along, and had always lived on her own even in the home she had before us.

They did play and cuddle though :)

We are on dog number 6 now though.....:o
 
I got Yellow Dog when Bear was 8 and she hated him! He adored her tho and she learned to tolerate him and in her grumpiness towards him she taught him excellent manners. When Sandy arrived (after Bear died) she slotted right in with Yellow Dog and the two have always been friends from the starts :)
 
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