Considering a second dog, advice
Discussion
We have a 18 month old shih tzu (male, fixed).
SWMBO thinks he would benefit from having a friend in the house, we have reserved a King Charles Cav (3 months, also male) tonight with a view to collecting it tomorrow.
Got home and she is now having second thoughts, worried they might not get along etc etc.
Our current dog is great with other dogs, no aggression issues, was fine with a 4 month old Cocker Spaniel that we looked after for a week.
Anyone have any input, pros and cons?
Cheers
SWMBO thinks he would benefit from having a friend in the house, we have reserved a King Charles Cav (3 months, also male) tonight with a view to collecting it tomorrow.
Got home and she is now having second thoughts, worried they might not get along etc etc.
Our current dog is great with other dogs, no aggression issues, was fine with a 4 month old Cocker Spaniel that we looked after for a week.
Anyone have any input, pros and cons?
Cheers
Kimbo (the shih tzu) has never had any aggression issues with any other dogs he meets, be it at home, on their territory and when out walking (there are a good 20 other dogs on his regular walk route).
Exception being dogs that are aggressive towards him and then he just backs off and ignores them, he is really is as good as gold.
I have suggested that we take him to the shop tomorrow to meet the Cav. Personally I think it should be fine, I have seen nothing in his character in the 15 months we have owned him to suggest otherwise.
It's the other halves decision ultimately, I think he'll enjoy a 'brother' to play with.
Plus it means I get to have a marine fish tank to go with my fresh water one
Thanks for the input so far
Exception being dogs that are aggressive towards him and then he just backs off and ignores them, he is really is as good as gold.
I have suggested that we take him to the shop tomorrow to meet the Cav. Personally I think it should be fine, I have seen nothing in his character in the 15 months we have owned him to suggest otherwise.
It's the other halves decision ultimately, I think he'll enjoy a 'brother' to play with.
Plus it means I get to have a marine fish tank to go with my fresh water one
Thanks for the input so far
I don't know much about the breeds quoted / have experience of. However, having brought three dogs together over the years - and the first is a dominant aggressive rescue - I think some of my experience may help.
You haven't said anything about present sleeping arrangements etc / while you are at work etc. You need baby gates for some segregation whilst you are out. A cage for the new dog would be good and/or an indoor pen. They get used to it.
It also allows you to control the integration of the two. Food, which I guess at this stage needs to be different, can be given individually to ensure each dog gets the right food.
Both dogs need to feel equal, don't spend too much time with the new one, or allow the older one to become dominant. Over time the relationships can develop. Our eldest had now realised that at nearly 17 she has to let the young larger setter become top dog - but he still knows his limits with her !
Two dogs is not too much of a problem - three gets to be a bit more fun. Even if nothing else - one baby gate will be your best friend.
You haven't said anything about present sleeping arrangements etc / while you are at work etc. You need baby gates for some segregation whilst you are out. A cage for the new dog would be good and/or an indoor pen. They get used to it.
It also allows you to control the integration of the two. Food, which I guess at this stage needs to be different, can be given individually to ensure each dog gets the right food.
Both dogs need to feel equal, don't spend too much time with the new one, or allow the older one to become dominant. Over time the relationships can develop. Our eldest had now realised that at nearly 17 she has to let the young larger setter become top dog - but he still knows his limits with her !
Two dogs is not too much of a problem - three gets to be a bit more fun. Even if nothing else - one baby gate will be your best friend.
Why not take them both out for walks together for an hour a day for a couple of days running. Then you can take the Cav home and let it look around the house and perhaps the garden and scent a bit etc for a few hours then bring the other pooch home so he comes into a place where the other dog has already been.
But if he's not a territorial mutt then I don't see a real problem in the main.
But if he's not a territorial mutt then I don't see a real problem in the main.
ClassicMercs said:
I don't know much about the breeds quoted / have experience of. However, having brought three dogs together over the years - and the first is a dominant aggressive rescue - I think some of my experience may help.
You haven't said anything about present sleeping arrangements etc / while you are at work etc. You need baby gates for some segregation whilst you are out. A cage for the new dog would be good and/or an indoor pen. They get used to it.
It also allows you to control the integration of the two. Food, which I guess at this stage needs to be different, can be given individually to ensure each dog gets the right food.
Both dogs need to feel equal, don't spend too much time with the new one, or allow the older one to become dominant. Over time the relationships can develop. Our eldest had now realised that at nearly 17 she has to let the young larger setter become top dog - but he still knows his limits with her !
Two dogs is not too much of a problem - three gets to be a bit more fun. Even if nothing else - one baby gate will be your best friend.
Present sleeping arrangements, he has his bed in our room, generally wake up to find him squeezed in between our pillows and the headboard, snoring!You haven't said anything about present sleeping arrangements etc / while you are at work etc. You need baby gates for some segregation whilst you are out. A cage for the new dog would be good and/or an indoor pen. They get used to it.
It also allows you to control the integration of the two. Food, which I guess at this stage needs to be different, can be given individually to ensure each dog gets the right food.
Both dogs need to feel equal, don't spend too much time with the new one, or allow the older one to become dominant. Over time the relationships can develop. Our eldest had now realised that at nearly 17 she has to let the young larger setter become top dog - but he still knows his limits with her !
Two dogs is not too much of a problem - three gets to be a bit more fun. Even if nothing else - one baby gate will be your best friend.
We have a pen already from when Kimbo was young, we used that for Cocker we looked after so that is covered for both segragation and different diets etc.
I will probably come home for lunch for the first few weeks, I only work 3 kms from home so that's easy, just to makes sure no disasters.
Jasandjules said:
Why not take them both out for walks together for an hour a day for a couple of days running. Then you can take the Cav home and let it look around the house and perhaps the garden and scent a bit etc for a few hours then bring the other pooch home so he comes into a place where the other dog has already been.
But if he's not a territorial mutt then I don't see a real problem in the main.
Will suggest that, see whether it is possibleBut if he's not a territorial mutt then I don't see a real problem in the main.
Just read you are in the UAE. Is it normal to only buy dogs from shops there? Are there no breeders where you can see the pup with the parents? I would still be wary of buying from a shop TBH. The pup is not likely to have received the necessary socialisation he should have had by now to make him a happy, healthy dog.
Our Shih Tzu came from a local breeder but generally yes here they come from shops.
There are ones I wouldn't touch with a bargepole and ones that are fine and have been used succesfully by people we know.
He is from the latter, I collected him last night and all is going well so far.
He is booked in at our Vets in half an hour for a general check up.
Currently arguing with the missus over the name!
There are ones I wouldn't touch with a bargepole and ones that are fine and have been used succesfully by people we know.
He is from the latter, I collected him last night and all is going well so far.
He is booked in at our Vets in half an hour for a general check up.
Currently arguing with the missus over the name!
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