Second dog - breed thoughts?

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Discussion

Cheib

23,110 posts

174 months

Saturday 3rd October 2015
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Bonefish Blues said:
Vet's opinion is that it's not as clear-cut as that wink

It was one of the things we explored as an option.

Interestingly he also stressed that if we got another dog since the elder would be dominant, we should exercise the second separately for a while so that they wouldn't be recessive whilst out with Dexter.

All in all we're still undecided.
The Vet that treated ours was pretty adamant that it was clear cut! And it definitely worked with ours. Also not sure about the younger dog being recessive, I think that is much more down to individual dogs.

moorx

3,480 posts

113 months

Saturday 3rd October 2015
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Cheib said:
Also not sure about the younger dog being recessive, I think that is much more down to individual dogs.
Absolutely it is down to individuals. There is no guarantee an older or existing dog will be dominant. I've had older and younger dogs that were 'the boss'. Mostly, though, in my experience, the females - whatever age - have been in charge (as it should be wink)

Cheib

23,110 posts

174 months

Sunday 4th October 2015
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moorx said:
Cheib said:
Also not sure about the younger dog being recessive, I think that is much more down to individual dogs.
Absolutely it is down to individuals. There is no guarantee an older or existing dog will be dominant. I've had older and younger dogs that were 'the boss'. Mostly, though, in my experience, the females - whatever age - have been in charge (as it should be wink)
Sounds like the OP needs a new Vet....

Bonefish Blues

Original Poster:

26,428 posts

222 months

Sunday 4th October 2015
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OP wasn't at the appointment so for clarity has closely questioned the spouse of the aforementioned.

Said spouse has clarified that their Veterinarian stated that if there was an existing dog in the household there would be a greater propensity for this dog to be dominant so to avoid this the recommendation was for separate exercise until said order was established.

Members of the Jury, the question at hand is can the OP retain the services of said professional?

Apropos of neutering, advice was clear, as indeed was OPs own research, that it sometimes works, sometimes doesn't.

Any breed thoughts?

bexVN

14,682 posts

210 months

Sunday 4th October 2015
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Dominance is only likely to occur if the dog has a propensity to it anyway.

I declined getting a second dog for my first dog Jimmy because he was so incredibly submissive. Even my friends dog who I would look after pushed him around a bit and my friends dog was a laid back pushover!

Now, Bryn our current dog, whilst still submissive has a bit more 'gumph' so whilst I don't believe he'd try to dominate I don't think he'd be pushed around in the way Jimmy would have been (he wouldn't want to fight etc though)

moorx

3,480 posts

113 months

Sunday 4th October 2015
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Bonefish Blues said:
OP wasn't at the appointment so for clarity has closely questioned the spouse of the aforementioned.

Said spouse has clarified that their Veterinarian stated that if there was an existing dog in the household there would be a greater propensity for this dog to be dominant so to avoid this the recommendation was for separate exercise until said order was established.

Members of the Jury, the question at hand is can the OP retain the services of said professional?

Apropos of neutering, advice was clear, as indeed was OPs own research, that it sometimes works, sometimes doesn't.

Any breed thoughts?
smile If you have confidence otherwise in your current vet's clinical abilities, there is no particular reason to change vets. If I were looking for behavioural advice, I would not necessarily consult a vet. There are other professionals with better knowledge and experience in this area.

With regard to breeds, I'm not convinced that another dog will necessarily prevent attacks by other (out of control) dogs. I've had similar dogs attack one of mine when I've had two, three or four dogs. If you do want another dog, I think breed choice depends more on your lifestyle and experience balanced with personal preference.

Autopilot

1,298 posts

183 months

Monday 5th October 2015
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Surely the highest priority for you is to find another dog that your current dog can live with happily, so why not let the dog do the choosing?

Could you look for a rescue dog and introduce them?


BOR

4,697 posts

254 months

Monday 12th October 2015
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Cheib said:
OP...why don't you have your dog neutered? Ours started started getting attacked when he was about ten months old...we had two or three very nasty incidents and after he had to have stitches in a bite wound we decided to get him done. Attacks stopped straight after.
I assume this would work by reducing the male doggy smell ?

My whippet boy was attacked a few months back when he was about 10mths old. Completely unprovoked, within seconds of a german shepard seeing him. This has meade him somewhat fear aggressive. We did wonder about getting him neutered, but I was reluctant, in case it confused this problem while we are still working on it. Our vet wasn't convinced it would alter his attitude either.

But he has just started becoming saucy with lady dogs, so we are trying the neutering implant.

Will report back if it has any positive (or even negative) affects.