Advice on a new dog.
Discussion
The wife and I have recently decided to get another dog. We already have a 6 yeard old Staffy/Dutch Shepard cross. We got her from a rescue centre in Manchester after she was found wandering the streets, about six months old, and we've had her since she was around 8 months. She's a small medium in size and is warry of larger dogs. Sadly she was badly mauled by my MIL's new dog last september, but has been fine with dogs smaller than she is. Prior to that inccident she was happy around most dogs of all sizes. She is full of energy and loves cuddling up to the Wife and I on the sofa.
So what would be the best age, sex and type of dog to get to go alongside our present dog?
So what would be the best age, sex and type of dog to get to go alongside our present dog?
Generally speaking, a dog of the opposite sex is usually recommended. I've had two females together (with males also) but in my experience, there is more likelihood of females taking a dislike to each other. So I would go with a male.
In terms of age, I'd say this depends on what you want for your existing dog. You say that she is full of energy, so do you want a dog she can play with? If so, you might want to go for a similar age or younger (although obviously, it will also depend on the energy level of any new dog). If you'd like a calming influence, you could go for an older dog, but you need to be sure that they would be able to cope with your existing dog's energy levels and not get grumpy.
Type is harder to answer. If you say she is wary of larger dogs, go for a similar-sized or smaller dog. Otherwise, type/breed really depends on your lifestyle and personal preference.
Why not visit a few rescue centres and discuss options with them? You can then take your dog to meet potential matches to see how they get on. I've done this with all my dogs - you can usually tell fairly quickly whether they are likely to be okay together.
Good luck with your search
In terms of age, I'd say this depends on what you want for your existing dog. You say that she is full of energy, so do you want a dog she can play with? If so, you might want to go for a similar age or younger (although obviously, it will also depend on the energy level of any new dog). If you'd like a calming influence, you could go for an older dog, but you need to be sure that they would be able to cope with your existing dog's energy levels and not get grumpy.
Type is harder to answer. If you say she is wary of larger dogs, go for a similar-sized or smaller dog. Otherwise, type/breed really depends on your lifestyle and personal preference.
Why not visit a few rescue centres and discuss options with them? You can then take your dog to meet potential matches to see how they get on. I've done this with all my dogs - you can usually tell fairly quickly whether they are likely to be okay together.
Good luck with your search
bexVN said:
Just questioning do you think another dog will be the right thing for your current dog?
With the right dog, yes. Thats key though, it has to be right for all three parties. We're not rushing in.moorx said:
Why not visit a few rescue centres and discuss options with them? You can then take your dog to meet potential matches to see how they get on. I've done this with all my dogs - you can usually tell fairly quickly whether they are likely to be okay together.
Thanks, its highly likely we will get another rescue dog, so finding one that our current b
h can get on with will be key.That's good, the right one will definitely find its way to you esp as you are prepared to take time . Don't think you can go wrong with the suggestions made but obviously priority has to be that your first dog will cope ok (which I am sure she will) Good luck! Hope we see new doggy pics soon
. Don't think you can go wrong with the suggestions made but obviously priority has to be that your first dog will cope ok (which I am sure she will) Good luck! Hope we see new doggy pics soon Last Sunday, we spent most of the day trawling round the rescue centres of North Yorkshire. Didn't get very far with the Dogs Trust, they had no dogs that could live with another dog. Next up was Blue Cross who had a lovely lurcher-cross called Patch, who got on very well with other dogs. We went for a walk with him and whilst he was a nice dog, there seemed to be no connection with us. No spark as it where so, we asked for our names to be added to the list of people interested in him just incase. Then we went to our third and last visit of the day.
We arrived at Jerry Green rescue home in Thirsk, and it appeared shut. However we finally found the way in. We chatted to the staff about what we were after, mainly a dog that could get on with and live with our dog. They introduced us to another lurcher-cross called Raymond. Straight away he was over and sniffing us, coming after attention and cuddles. My wife instantly fell in love and we decided to reserve him then and there after spending some time with him in a play pen.
Saturday coming we're taking Pepper, our Dutch Sheppard-Staffie cross to Thirsk so they can meet. Assuming all goes well and they can get on with one another, Raymond will be ours a few weeks after.
Some pics of Raymond here:
http://www.jerrygreendogs.org.uk/RehomeADog/ShowDo...
We arrived at Jerry Green rescue home in Thirsk, and it appeared shut. However we finally found the way in. We chatted to the staff about what we were after, mainly a dog that could get on with and live with our dog. They introduced us to another lurcher-cross called Raymond. Straight away he was over and sniffing us, coming after attention and cuddles. My wife instantly fell in love and we decided to reserve him then and there after spending some time with him in a play pen.
Saturday coming we're taking Pepper, our Dutch Sheppard-Staffie cross to Thirsk so they can meet. Assuming all goes well and they can get on with one another, Raymond will be ours a few weeks after.
Some pics of Raymond here:
http://www.jerrygreendogs.org.uk/RehomeADog/ShowDo...
Best to let them meet outside of the house. Even a calm dog can act up if another dog comes into its house...
If you're concerned at all about them getting on... Take old dog for a walk somewhere neutral (not where it always goes for a walk), have wife walk up along-side you (not face-to-face) and just walk the two dogs side-by-side like that until they have "accepted" each other and are looking forward rather than trying to socialise.
Then when they're used to being beside each other in the neutral location, it will be so much easier for them to be friends.
We introduced a new puppy to our 4 year old dog last year... He couldn't really cope with it and was very stressed for the first few weeks. They are now best friends and inseparable - so it's worth persevering
Good luck!
If you're concerned at all about them getting on... Take old dog for a walk somewhere neutral (not where it always goes for a walk), have wife walk up along-side you (not face-to-face) and just walk the two dogs side-by-side like that until they have "accepted" each other and are looking forward rather than trying to socialise.
Then when they're used to being beside each other in the neutral location, it will be so much easier for them to be friends
.We introduced a new puppy to our 4 year old dog last year... He couldn't really cope with it and was very stressed for the first few weeks. They are now best friends and inseparable - so it's worth persevering
Good luck!
Good luck with your visit tomorrow. Hope everyone gets on with each other. I'd agree with all of the advice offered. Just try to arrange for you and your wife to spend lots of time with each dog in turn so that Pepper gets used to that when Raymond comes home. If you have a jumper or jacket which gets a good whiff of Raymond on it, let Pepper "find" it when you've got home.
Well it appears its not to be.
Seems Pepper has been an only dog for too long. They walked ok alongside one another down a country lane near the rescue centre, both on their leads. However when we got back to the centre and we let Pepper off inside a play pen with my wife inside, whilst Raymond stayed on his lead outside. The sniff's quickly turned in growls and showing of teeth, mainly from Pepper. My wife was rightly devestated, but its clear its not going to happen for us and Raymond. We are thinking of going back and trying again, but only if their behavourist thinks it a good idea, and will be there on site as well this time.
I think that Pepper would be better with a much younger dog than Raymond, and one who was not as big.
Seems Pepper has been an only dog for too long. They walked ok alongside one another down a country lane near the rescue centre, both on their leads. However when we got back to the centre and we let Pepper off inside a play pen with my wife inside, whilst Raymond stayed on his lead outside. The sniff's quickly turned in growls and showing of teeth, mainly from Pepper. My wife was rightly devestated, but its clear its not going to happen for us and Raymond. We are thinking of going back and trying again, but only if their behavourist thinks it a good idea, and will be there on site as well this time.
I think that Pepper would be better with a much younger dog than Raymond, and one who was not as big.
Sorry to hear that 
.
But if you feel that Raymond is a good fit, you should trust your own instinct over Pepper's and try to persevere (on the condition that rescue centre will take Raymond back after a couple of weeks if things don't improve).
You said you got Pepper from a rescue centre, so who knows what kind of feelings/memories she has about them. Any dog would be overwhelmed suddenly finding themselves surrounded by the smells of 100s of other dogs! That includes Raymond - you won't know his true personality until he is home and in a routine.
If YOU think they're a good match and you're able to keep them separate in the house for a gradual introduction (rather than just plopping them in a room and letting them fight it out!) then I would still go for it. Give Pepper more attention than Raymond, feed her first, play with her first, etc. They should soon settle down unless they have a major clash of personalities, which you won't know until Raymond is out of kennels.
Just to add - a smaller/younger dog will not make as much difference as you think. If anything, the added hyperactivity could stress Pepper out more. Our 4 year old dog gave the new puppy a nasty bite the first week he was there (puppy was acting silly while older dog was eating). They're now inseparable - they cuddle into each other to sleep, the pup fetches toys for the other one to play with and they get upset if you separate them!
.But if you feel that Raymond is a good fit, you should trust your own instinct over Pepper's and try to persevere (on the condition that rescue centre will take Raymond back after a couple of weeks if things don't improve).
You said you got Pepper from a rescue centre, so who knows what kind of feelings/memories she has about them. Any dog would be overwhelmed suddenly finding themselves surrounded by the smells of 100s of other dogs! That includes Raymond - you won't know his true personality until he is home and in a routine.
If YOU think they're a good match and you're able to keep them separate in the house for a gradual introduction (rather than just plopping them in a room and letting them fight it out!) then I would still go for it. Give Pepper more attention than Raymond, feed her first, play with her first, etc. They should soon settle down unless they have a major clash of personalities, which you won't know until Raymond is out of kennels.
Just to add - a smaller/younger dog will not make as much difference as you think. If anything, the added hyperactivity could stress Pepper out more. Our 4 year old dog gave the new puppy a nasty bite the first week he was there (puppy was acting silly while older dog was eating). They're now inseparable - they cuddle into each other to sleep, the pup fetches toys for the other one to play with and they get upset if you separate them!
Edited by bigbob77 on Tuesday 3rd November 10:26
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