Could we get another dog?

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shadowboy

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OH and I have always wanted two dogs, and a change of job / move will mean we have more free time and less time driving too and from work. So we are thinking about another pooch. BUT Tassy comes first and we dont know if getting another dog would be unfair on her. She doesnt like females so it would have to be a boy and we would like a pup. But based on the fact that she is nervous around other dogs would it be unfair?

She does play with friend's dogs but obviously doesnt live with them. feel free to be honest and say no if it would be unfair!!!
 
My big lad is very nervous round other dogs but we got 2 puppies 3 weeks ago. He was awful the first week but now is in heaven. I think as long as you can separate them (crate?) for the first week or so and supervise for a good while, then there shouldn't be a problem.:)
 
see we were thinking about baby gates etc seperating them when we were apart but wondered if at her age (8) it would be too stressful. I would love it if she could have a home buddy
 
Brig (dog in my sig is his brother that was PTS) is 7. He has always been nervous of other dogs since being attacked by a GSD as a very tiny pup.

He is marvellous with the new pups, maybe because they're a lot smaller than him and play lots, dunno. I think it would be nice to have a friend for your dog, it just takes time to get them accustomed to one another.
 
thats really good to hear! We have hope- we now need to think about a suitable breed and breeder who breeds dogs with balanced temperaments. :)
 
We used to have a rescue border collie many years ago who was very nervous and frightened of just about everything. When she was about 4 we got a springer spaniel puppy and our collie came on in leaps and bounds. It totally transformed her and was great for her confidence. She was much happier and more relaxed with her friend for the rest of her life. She lived to about 17. I'd say go for it, but pick for temperament.
 
I don't think 'unfair' would be the right word but Tass sounds like she doesn't suffer fools gladly, put it that way.
You've given her a home at an age and of a breed where many others would have said 'sod this' and thrown in the towel, and you have been working through her issues with other dogs, which is fab and I would hate for you or her to be set back by anything.

I would be very careful in selecting the age and breed of dog and maybe a slightly older male - still an older puppy/youngster - would be better rather than a baby puppy, (feel free to tell me to feck off and mind my own business) from a rescue or from a breeder, if he hasn't made the grade for work or show - as if Tass decides an annoying baby puppy has pushed their luck too far, she could do a lot of damage whereas and older male could stand his ground and probably be very good for her :)

Personally speaking I would go for another large working type breed just for the sake of safety (rather than a small, fluffy prey type :p)

Like I say JMO and you can tell me to feck off :p
 
We added a second dog in January--a mellow pug male, age 6, to go with our sweet but dominant BT female, age 7. She likes most dogs, but not all, and she generally doesn't get along with unspayed bitches, so we knew a male would be the right choice. It couldn't have worked out better. They share toys, food, a bed, our attention, no problem, and they sort of keep each other in line, in different situations.

I would visit your nearest reliable rescue to find the right match :)

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CaveCanem said:
I don't think 'unfair' would be the right word but Tass sounds like she doesn't suffer fools gladly, put it that way.
You've given her a home at an age and of a breed where many others would have said 'sod this' and thrown in the towel, and you have been working through her issues with other dogs, which is fab and I would hate for you or her to be set back by anything.

I would be very careful in selecting the age and breed of dog and maybe a slightly older male - still an older puppy/youngster - would be better rather than a baby puppy, (feel free to tell me to feck off and mind my own business) from a rescue or from a breeder, if he hasn't made the grade for work or show - as if Tass decides an annoying baby puppy has pushed their luck too far, she could do a lot of damage whereas and older male could stand his ground and probably be very good for her :)

Personally speaking I would go for another large working type breed just for the sake of safety (rather than a small, fluffy prey type :p)

Like I say JMO and you can tell me to feck off :p
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not at all! OH ideally wanted a rottie or rhodesian (spelling??) ridgeback- but Im not sure about this combo with Tass as they are quite dominant headstrong breeds. Hmmm...its not something that will happen untill after xmas as we are moving soon and want Tass settled in our new home first.
 
we have a 15 year old rescue dog lab cross who is abit grumpy due to having been badly treated before we got him, altho he is much more mellow now. We got another rescue dog a year ago - a 4 year old schnauzer poodle cross and she's given hm a new lease of life. In fact we have just got another rescue dog jrt cross 8 months old and they are all fne. The old dog just takes it n his stride. So i would say go for it, I wish we had had two dogs together years ago
 
Just so you know Ridgebacks can be idle buggers and given the choice don't do rain and cold:rolleyes: - so not an ideal match when you need to get your Mally out for some excercise!:)

My friends Ridgeback has to be literally thrown out when it is cold and wet and also has quite a thin coat so needs a coat/fleece on to go out for any time. She can however sleep for England!!:D:D:D
 
aww really? he wants something he can have more fun with as Tassy is getting older and cant really handle more than 2 hours at a time- she just flags on walks if they are too long- although she loves to run around and chase birds and she's not arthritic or anything- im totally happy with this but my OH loves Mountain biking and running- and Tassy cant do this (we were told she could when we got her - but she just sits down and flaggs behind when we go out with the OH's brother and their dog (spaniel).

So really the new dog would be more for the OH as I love Tassy more than I could ever have imagined and although I would love another dog- Tassy is my huge, hairy number one.
 
My friends ridgey will just sit down and refuse to move :rolleyes:- it can be after just a few minutes if she really doesn't want to go out! :eek::D:D

I don't think she has ever walked as far as 2 hours in her life!!:eek::rolleyes::D

You have to remember thet Ridgey's were essentially designed to sleep in the African sunshine with the occaisional burst of activity.:D
 
slinkyunicorn said:
My friends ridgey will just sit down and refuse to move :rolleyes:- it can be after just a few minutes if she really doesn't want to go out! :eek::D:D

I don't think she has ever walked as far as 2 hours in her life!!:eek::rolleyes::D

You have to remember thet Ridgey's were essentially designed to sleep in the African sunshine with the occaisional burst of activity.:D
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I have just told him, and he looked a bit dissapointed as they are lovely looking dogs, more research needs to be done I think ...
 
shadowboy said:
BUT Tassy comes first and we dont know if getting another dog would be unfair on her.
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Unfortunately the dogs will sort it out between themselves - you may find your current dog becomes bottom of the pack :( We found this when we got a second - we tried to make our original dog top by feeding first, loves first etc, but it just created fights. As soon as we decided to leave them to sort it out and number 2 dog became number one things are much more peaceful.

If you get a second just remember that your number one dog may actually be happier being number 2 - please don't force it like we tried :(

2 dogs is no more bother than one so got for it!

You will find that your dog become less dependent on you for affection - it comes accross at first as if your dog is p*ssed off, but they're not - it's just that you are no longer the centre of their universe - and that's a good thing :)
 
Go for it. All our dogs for the last 35 years have been rescue dogs, and have often come with all sorts of baggage regarding other dogs. But they have always come to love the new dog in their lives. As one dies, it is replaced so that we have two - at least- always.
Dogs are pack animals. Another dog can give them the comfort that no human can, AND lick their ears for them. And you won't feel such a heel when you go out without them.
Give it time and patience and I'm sure you won't regret it.
 
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