Question to add another dog

[coopersmom]

From time to time I feel like Randy is lonely for a canine companion and I think about getting another dog. When I got Randy I had two others, Cooper--a sheltie, and Suds-a border collie mix. Suds loved Randy, took to him like a mother. Cooper on the other hand was heart broken when we got Randy, and honestly never got over it. He never bonded with Randy at all. he wasn't mean to Randy, just polietly ignored him for four years. I vowed I would never hurt another dog like I had hurt Cooper when I got Randy. Randy has friends come over from time to time, two young dogs who he usually ignores. I don't know if I should interpret this as how he would react to an older dog should be adopt/rescue one, or if he just doesn't like younger dogs pestering him. Cooper was "top dog" when Randy came and I guess all the attention a 11 week old pup requires made Coop feel like he was being displaced. Believe me Coop & Suds received just as much love after I got Randy as before we got Randy. Maybe it was the male/male thing, since Suds( female) accepted Randy right away???

Any suggestions/advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[elaine2004]

I think what I would do is call a rescue group and see if you could bring Randy in to see how he would get along with other dogs. Maybe he does like being the only dog. But That's what I would suggest. This way you have a general idea if he's really interested in having a companion . Or ask if you may do a trial adoption or temporary foster home and see Randy's reaction. Good luck on your decision.

 

[BarbV]

It's a tough call....bring in a young pup that Randy can "train" or bring in an older dog "with it's own baggage".

The only comment I can make is that I was successful in bringing home another male, exactly the same age as Bacca - at the time, both were still un-neutuered.

Bacca has the advantage of being "first born" in the house, but Indy has the advantage of sheer tenacity. Before I brought Indy home, I brought Bacca to the breeder to see how they would interact. All they did was play.

And 2 months later, that's still all they do! They still wrastle around who is "top dog" - the fact is - neither of them are. I am.

The second piece of advice, is get a pup on trial. Before I brought home Indy, we brought home Ginnie (same breeder). While we'd tried them out together and it seemed like a fit, it was apparent after 1 week that Bacca and Ginnie were not going to bond. She was 3 years old. I talked to the breeder and we decided to bring Ginnie back and I took Indy instead. It broke my heart, but was the right decision.

(btw - Ginnie has now found a forever home and from I hear it doing very well!)

 

[Caro]

I do find the male/female thing works well. They both have their own roles and are the boss over certain things (eg, my female is the boss of food and more dominant outside. my male is the boss in the backyard and on the couch). They did fight a lot when I first got my female - my male was not happy about it and it did take about 9mths but they just love each other now.

My male prefers hanging with other males at the park but they spend most of their time piddling on each others piddle and sniffing (thats just the dogs not the human males!). So I think there is more likely to be competition.

Most adult dogs are not interested in puppies, and esp adolescents so I wouldn't worry about that.

Like Barb said - maybe you could do a trial. But in the end you will just have to take a leap of faith. At least Randy has had other dogs around in the past so it won't be new.

I must say I am a bit biaised - I just love watching my dogs play together.