Getting a second dog, advice?
Discussion
A question for the masses.
We have Collie who is just over a year old, just finished her first season and will be "done" at the vets in about 8 weeks.
She's pretty well trained with a decent recall.
I'm considering another dog, probably another Collie. Any advice or experiences of introducing a second dog, when is a good age and were there any effects on the original dog?
We have Collie who is just over a year old, just finished her first season and will be "done" at the vets in about 8 weeks.
She's pretty well trained with a decent recall.
I'm considering another dog, probably another Collie. Any advice or experiences of introducing a second dog, when is a good age and were there any effects on the original dog?
We had one dog at about 2 years of age and then got another 12 month old from a rescue centre 4 years later. It has really given the old boy who is now 11 a new lease of life and I like the 'tag team' approach of overlapping them (in fact I am thinking about getting a third to settle in before the old boy passes on (which I pary won't be for a few years yet). I personaly couldn't stand the pain of losing 2 within a shortish period so the age gap is more about me than them.
We introduced a second dog into the household to keep our first 'company' during the day. Both males. We got our second (18 month old Lurcher/Whippet cross) from the Dog Trust and the required the dogs to introduce themselves on neutral ground, not bringing the second dog into the firsts (jack russel) territory as he would feel the need to defend it. We introduced them both off the lead in a large penned field. Off the lead as if either of them were on the lead the may feel threatened and therefore aggressive.
They got on suprisingly well but we had to be careful to watch them when we returned home. They have had some pretty nasty fights trying to establish the pecking order, no damage but lots of fur flying and loads of noise. This lasted for a few months but expected and to some degree neccessary. They have settled now and get on for the most part very well.
I'm by no means an expert but this was my experience
Hope it goes well
They got on suprisingly well but we had to be careful to watch them when we returned home. They have had some pretty nasty fights trying to establish the pecking order, no damage but lots of fur flying and loads of noise. This lasted for a few months but expected and to some degree neccessary. They have settled now and get on for the most part very well.
I'm by no means an expert but this was my experience
Hope it goes well
I had a Collie/Alsatian x, and got a Tibetan Terrier about a year later when the Collie must have been about 8 years old. The Tibetan Terrier (she wasn't actually a TT, just a mutt that looked a lot like one) was very passive, and I had no problems after the initial "What are you doing in my house?" from the Collie, which took no longer than a week. After that, they were very much Mother/Daughter, and if the TT misbehaved, all I had to do was give the signal to the Collie, who would reprimand the TT. Although the Collie was slightly put out by a younger/more sociable/attention seeking dog, while the Collie was quite quiet having been abused before I got her, it was great, and they seemed to understand each other. They never fought. I miss them.
So, yes, do it. I think that females are far more receptive to this sort of thing than males, and having two dogs is so much better than having just one, in my opinion.
So, yes, do it. I think that females are far more receptive to this sort of thing than males, and having two dogs is so much better than having just one, in my opinion.
We have three b1tches, five, four & three years old (GF was a serial puppy buyer!) and they complement each other perfectly.
The eldest is 'the boss' and has the biggest personality. Middle dog is very laid back and placid and is often 'bullied' by the other two. Youngest dog is a combination of both, if she could be arsed she would be the boss!
They work very well together and cover pretty much every doggy personality. I'm certainly glad we have more than one even if you do end up with a 'dog train' following you about the house!
The eldest is 'the boss' and has the biggest personality. Middle dog is very laid back and placid and is often 'bullied' by the other two. Youngest dog is a combination of both, if she could be arsed she would be the boss!
They work very well together and cover pretty much every doggy personality. I'm certainly glad we have more than one even if you do end up with a 'dog train' following you about the house!
Great idea, but I would never recommend two b
hes anything less than 5 years apart! You may be lucky, like raf_gti, but if you are unlucky they will fight (and it is not unheard of for them to fight to the death if no-one's around!) Two dogs is usually fine, but a dog and a bh is easier to manage (especially if one or both are neutered).
As far as breed is concerned, just be aware that two collies could just drive you bonkers herding each other and you up all the time! However, I do agility and know lots of people with a whole packs of them (some of them have 10 or more) that seem to get on OK (in public anyway)
Purely from the point of when they get much older, might be wise to have a bit of an age gap - unless you intend to keep introducing a new one every 5 or 6 years (like I have!!!)
hes anything less than 5 years apart! You may be lucky, like raf_gti, but if you are unlucky they will fight (and it is not unheard of for them to fight to the death if no-one's around!) Two dogs is usually fine, but a dog and a bh is easier to manage (especially if one or both are neutered).As far as breed is concerned, just be aware that two collies could just drive you bonkers herding each other and you up all the time! However, I do agility and know lots of people with a whole packs of them (some of them have 10 or more) that seem to get on OK (in public anyway)
Purely from the point of when they get much older, might be wise to have a bit of an age gap - unless you intend to keep introducing a new one every 5 or 6 years (like I have!!!)
I've done this a couple of times, always with bhes and not had problems. Lots of good advice above but is also add that you should help them set the pecking order by siding with the older dog more. Feed it first and take its side more if they do squabble. I used to take toys and bones off the younger dog and give them to the older one at first. Seemed to work for me
hes and not had problems. Lots of good advice above but is also add that you should help them set the pecking order by siding with the older dog more. Feed it first and take its side more if they do squabble. I used to take toys and bones off the younger dog and give them to the older one at first. Seemed to work for me
Introduce them on neutral ground. I don't know about collies too much, but i'd expect your first one to expect to be top dog. If you think that will be te case, then make sure No.1 dog gets first everytime, even if the No.2 dog jumps and rips your face off as you walk in the front door, and No.1 dog is chucking up in the kitchen, still make sure No.1 gets the first bit of attention. (etc etc etc)
It seems a little harsh, but it's a reality and in the long run would; A) not confuse the dogs, and B) be much easier.
I would hope at only 12 months old, No1. would be fairly welcoming.
It seems a little harsh, but it's a reality and in the long run would; A) not confuse the dogs, and B) be much easier.
I would hope at only 12 months old, No1. would be fairly welcoming.
It's very difficult to give categorical advice, as all dogs are different, but generally try to get different sexes or both neutered, a puppy is often seen as less of a challenge to the established order than a more mature dog, although they can be a irritating if all they want to do is play with the grumpy old hound who wants to sleep, if possible start the introductions on neutral ground but not for too long as they will have to settle at home sooner or later, not sure whether siding with the older dog is always going to be right, as some would rather not be "alpha" dogs.
Still think getting different sexes and ages is the best starting point, but our 3 bhes have always got on, the previous 2 bhes and 1 dog always got on, loads of stories of success and failure from clients, hope you fall into the success category.
Still think getting different sexes and ages is the best starting point, but our 3 b
hes have always got on, the previous 2 bhes and 1 dog always got on, loads of stories of success and failure from clients, hope you fall into the success category.MX7 said:
GreenDog said:
you should help them set the pecking order by siding with the older dog more.
Top advice. Absolutely. 
Two Collie dogs are less work in my experience than one.
Fair to say always had Collies - working dog stock, and they've packed up well regardless of sex.
To some extent you have to sit back and let them work that out, the puppy will fall into the submissive role as a rule, at least until older.
The younger dog will quickly shadow the older, so it's important that your in the right place with the existing dog as they do learn from the older.
Fair to say always had Collies - working dog stock, and they've packed up well regardless of sex.
To some extent you have to sit back and let them work that out, the puppy will fall into the submissive role as a rule, at least until older.
The younger dog will quickly shadow the older, so it's important that your in the right place with the existing dog as they do learn from the older.
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