Best a singleton or get puppy?

My Lexi isn't crazy about other dogs when we are outside of our house. She never hurts anyone, but will chase them out of her space or let them know she'e not interested in their "rude" behavior. With Pyper, however, whole different story. She lets that puppy kick her butt. Even if she doesn't want to play Pyper keeps pawing at her until Lexi gives in and...game on! I think dogs are meant to be with other dogs...(and loving people, of course!)
 
I would agree, not all dogs love puppies. I have a few girls who absolutely don't care for them. They wouldn't hurt them, but they want nothing to do with them until they get older. Ember, and Athena are the only two of my girls who will humor puppies... and my goofy male, Caleb, will play with puppies all day long.
However, I don't think Sca will be upset to not be the one catching the toy. I have one girl like that. She just merrily chases along after everyone else, and seems to think it is just as much fun as the ones who will catch the toy. She doesn't seem to care that she isn't getting it. And, you've already tried him around new dogs, and he doesn't seem to have a problem with them. You really should be fine bringing a new puppy into the house.
 
Sheep, I commend you for really thinking this through. Here's my 2 cents worth.

My DH and I agonized years ago about adding a puppy to our house with our first Sheltie, Skye. Skye was just a perfect dog (for us) and we didn't want to mess that up. Finally, when she was 13, we got Asta. It was the best thing ever. It perked Skye up no end. And Asta was not a dominant puppy, she played very gently with Skye. Skye LOVED to manipulate her with toys, etc. We ended up wondering why we waited so long, but then we wouldn't have gotten Asta, which I can't imagine.

Now, we wouldn't be without two dogs. It sounds like Sca is such a good candidate for a brother or sister, and it will keep him company when you are at work, etc.

I say, go for it, but do your research on breeders, or consider a rescue!

Sharon
 
I always thought Cadbury would be a complete push over with a pup, but over certain things he stands up for himself now Merlin is about, though it is easy to see who is the boss here:wink2:

That being said, I like a house of harmony, so I am in charge of everything! Lol! Cadbury is a horror for outrunning Merlin to a ball or just taking it off him, so sometimes he gets grabbed by the collar and made to sit while Merlin gets fetch time. Same with food, they eat side by side but neither is allowed to touch the others' bowl until they both finish, look at me and wait until I say 'swop'.

There have been a couple of moments due to my error or misjudgement, but nothing major and the guys get on very well. Probably because they know they can run to me to resolve all arguments. The best one was when Cadbury got hold of Merlin's favourite meerkat toy. Merlin made a terrible din and desperately came to find me, in a panic - any one would think Timmy was down that ole well again and Lassie was on holiday! Of course all was solved when I ordered Cadbury to drop meerkat and replaced it with a less precious toy. You could see the relief visible in Merlin's eyes!:lol:
 
Wow, you've show great insight into your choices here.

I can only speak from my own experience. Take it as you will:

I got Bacca at 8 weeks old. Perfect pup, house trained fast, but constantly nipping at me, not matter how much I exercised him. He loved to play fetch and would bring it back everytime.

But I decided that Bacca needed a playmate. Or maybe I succombed to the forum and decided that two had to be better than one. I dunno. Anyway, Indy came home.

The two play and wrassle together constantly. All they want from me is hugs. Playing ball and fetch is a non-starter now. they just steal the ball from the other and run away. I'm at a loss.

But then someone posted the ideas of bubbles on the forum! And I think that's the way I can play with my boys again.,

All to say, that the addition of another to the pack, definitely changes the dynmanic. For me, it was all good. I needed to have another dog to take on some load. But that was my preference.

If your heart sings for another, then got for it. If not, than you and Sca will be live one and enjoy life as you live it. He'll be happy either way.
 
BarbV said:
Wow, you've show great insight into your choices here.

I can only speak from my own experience. Take it as you will:

I got Bacca at 8 weeks old. Perfect pup, house trained fast, but constantly nipping at me, not matter how much I exercised him. He loved to play fetch and would bring it back everytime.

But I decided that Bacca needed a playmate. Or maybe I succombed to the forum and decided that two had to be better than one. I dunno. Anyway, Indy came home.

The two play and wrassle together constantly. All they want from me is hugs. Playing ball and fetch is a non-starter now. they just steal the ball from the other and run away. I'm at a loss.

But then someone posted the ideas of bubbles on the forum! And I think that's the way I can play with my boys again.,

All to say, that the addition of another to the pack, definitely changes the dynmanic. For me, it was all good. I needed to have another dog to take on some load. But that was my preference.

If your heart sings for another, then got for it. If not, than you and Sca will be live one and enjoy life as you live it. He'll be happy either way.
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It was me with the bubbles!! :) its funny though I have 5 that just delight in playing ball with me...in fact my arm gets tired after awhile!!:lol: but they all take somewhat a of a turn (ok its more of who ever gets it first) in grabbing the ball and bringing it back to me...

Mine all get along with each other amazingly well, there is never any squabbles here...maybe because I step in before it would get to that point? Im not sure, or maybe its how they are...I had to laugh at Megans (tofu pup) post about the boys wanting the girls to do all the thinking and just go along for the ride...that couldnt be more true here!! Mia is the brains of the operation and we say it every day...although she often leads them to getting into some sort of trouble by her opening a gate or scheming something...:lol: I personally think its her way of weeding out the pack numbers!! :) LOL!! She's trying to kill off the boys! LOL!

I think everyone going from one dog to two has this thought and taking into consideration the current dogs feelings and not wanting them to be pushed aside..I can say with my own experience that its always gone over well and once you see them light up and its like they found their long lost buddy :)
 
Yep Sca does happy REAL well Barb :lol: he is passive but not meek and just kind of goes with it all the time.

Thanks for the input people and UPS Merlin now Sophie :cool:
 
From the sounds of it, Sca will be happy with whatever you decide.

Rachel's boy Grizz is like that. He loves everyone and everything. He will lay down on the ground and let puppies crawl on him. He also loves to play ball. He happily will run all day after the ball.

However, if Diva is about Diva must get the ball everytime. If Grizz looks like he might get the ball Diva barks at him and tries to scare him off the ball. At first Grizz, just let her and would happily run back and forth with Diva after the ball. Now, that he is used to Diva's dramatics, he ignores her and goes about his game. If he gets the ball first Whoo! and Diva is ticked the whole way back. If he doesn't no big deal. Seriously so laid back over the deal. Porter was the same way. I think it is easier to match up those guys than the intense ones.
 
tofu pup said:
I do think that some dogs, especially the males, actually enjoy being not-the-boss. They don't think, "Geeze, I keep getting henpecked by these girls, this is rough!" or "Aww, I never get the frisbee like I did when I was by myself". They seem to think, "Hooray, I don't have to make the decisions anymore!" or "Man oh man, I love having these girls around!" :wink2:

When we brought Mark home, he was the only male at our house, and he was immediately made low man on the totem pole... here was this young, zippy, little-bit-macho intact male, and the girls basically saw him as theirs to beat up on. They'd shove him around, chase him down, flip him over, and generally make a fool of him at every chance. And honestly (and I know my dog), he loved it. Those girls told him where to go and what to do, and he'd say "yes ma'am!" He was always a very confident, happy dog (and a successful stud dog), so I don't think he felt "bad" about it in the least. It's a dog thing.

What I'm trying to get at is that I think that a puppy for Sca sounds like a really great idea. As much as you adore him, and as well as you care for him, there are certain nuanced social interactions that he can only get with a canine buddy. Even if he does end up being bossed by the new puppy, he'll be a-OK with it (and if/when he isn't, he'll make a nasty face and some loud noises and the puppy will learn not to push that particular button). I say go for it.
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Mark sounds so much like Beckon. He just loves being bossed. But when we got the chickens, he was thrilled to have his "girls" to take care of. I agree -- Sca would probably love a little buddy!
 
Justicemom said:
From the sounds of it, Sca will be happy with whatever you decide.

Rachel's boy Grizz is like that. He loves everyone and everything. He will lay down on the ground and let puppies crawl on him. He also loves to play ball. He happily will run all day after the ball.

However, if Diva is about Diva must get the ball everytime. If Grizz looks like he might get the ball Diva barks at him and tries to scare him off the ball. At first Grizz, just let her and would happily run back and forth with Diva after the ball. Now, that he is used to Diva's dramatics, he ignores her and goes about his game. If he gets the ball first Whoo! and Diva is ticked the whole way back. If he doesn't no big deal. Seriously so laid back over the deal. Porter was the same way. I think it is easier to match up those guys than the intense ones.
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and we just got clearance from the party house.... just no 2 month trips to Kwajalein or I owe the folks big :lol:
 
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