Pros and Cons of getting a second dog...

[SistersofPercy]

Viper201 said:

I find it really interesting how dogs react like this together. If you don't trust young Nev at this stage put him in the pen but in the same room, then there is no separation anxiety. That way he'll have the company without the destruction. It worked with our dark destroying terrier. You must be able to secure the door with a plastic bag tie, rubber band or similar? Or simply push the pen with the door against furniture so he can't get out.

That’s the thing, the pen is in the same room! Their beds are pretty much side by side separated by the fence but Neville does not like the fence one iota. He’s fed in there, it’s mostly open when we’re in the house and he’s happy to snooze in the area etc, but when it’s closed he will howl the house down. Spent an entire day this week waiting outside the door for quiet moments to go in and reward but they are very few and far between.
He actually sleeps in a fabric pen at night by the bed and is perfectly happy in that, he just really does not like the fence.

I might sit outside and camera watch in short spells and see what they get up to. There are improvements every day between them so hopeful they will be happy together eventually. You can actually see the blue of Murphs bed in this so they really are side by side, just fenced.

[Viper201]

Ha, the little terror. Fences can cause issues. You often see a dog reacting at a gate or fence but when the dogs can meet they calm down. Longbottoms are wilful little sods so you'll be on your toes for a while. Maybe a radio playing in the background to mask some sounds and give him company?