First time having two dogs.

Bullseye1

As a long time dog owner and someone who has only every owned one dog at a time what are the main issues I need to be aware of? My current girl Makena is quite shy around other dogs. She has no problem meeting and greeting but if the other dog is too lively and starts to jump around uncontrolled Makena jumps on top of me to "get her out of here":D. I have asked the breeder to pick out a suitable companion. How have you as an owner found progressing from one dog to two?

ButtersSuki

Bullseye1 wrote: »

As a long time dog owner and someone who has only every owned one dog at a time what are the main issues I need to be aware of? My current girl Makena is quite shy around other dogs. She has no problem meeting and greeting but if the other dog is too lively and starts to jump around uncontrolled Makena jumps on top of me to "get her out of here":D. I have asked the breeder to pick out a suitable companion. How have you as an owner found progressing from one dog to two?

There's a similar thread somewhere on this topic.

It's not going to be as difficult as you probably think provided you get the pairing right - this is crucial. Most "experts" say you should never have either two bitches or two dogs and should always mix so hopefully your dogs are neutered? I'd recommend getting a dog psychologist involved if you can. i did and my two are so close it's like they've been together forever and one is hyper and one is completely chilled it they totally understand and respect each others space.

Walking and feeding you'll do at the same time but you'll have to allow for some teething issues with these and general living together from both dogs sides in the early days. It will be a big adjustment for your current dog as well as the newcomer so try and cut both some slack, whilst of course remaining in charge!

The socialisation at the beginning/before you select is crucial. The breeder should be watching their interaction very closely.

Best of luck with this!

ButtersSuki

Found it...sorry, though it was longer, maybe have a look further back and see if you can find more posts on this subject:http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=84165585

Bullseye1

Well I have a female Ridgeback and the puppy is going to be male. I have explained Makenas temperament to the breeder. The last thing I want to do is upset Makena. I am a complete novice when it comes to two dogs at once.

Hooked

http://touch.boards.ie/thread/post/83399353

Not sure if that link above will work as I'm on my phone? I started a similar thread and it may have some useful info...

aonb

Is the puppy going to be another Ridgeback?


I know 2 Ridgebacks - one a complete nutter (bitch) who is v.aggressive to other dogs because shes so nervous, the other a big softie chilled out dog who plays with any/every dog he meets. All dogs have their own personalities and will react differently

I had one dog (terrier) and got a new terrier puppy a couple years ago. I found that ensuring the existing dog got some time away from the puppy was very important. I also kept the puppy in another room overnight (to sleep) for many weeks. We made sure that the existing dog was always the top dog - from the point of view of getting his food first (we fed the puppy in another room initially), got lots of extra cuddles and play time, got to sit on our laps/sofa as usual etc etc. and was never made to feel that his place in the house was usurped by the newcomer. Usually when one of us was playing with the puppy, someone else would make a fuss of and play with the existing dog.

The existing dog would sometimes put the puppy in his place - little growls or snap (never made contact) - we never chastised the older dog, just took the puppy away from him if he was bothering the older dog. (It never got to be an issue thankfully)

They are now the best of friends. Our older dog has always remained top dog - the younger dog (much bigger) will always give way to the older dog. The younger dog who isnt a quarter as intelligent as the older dog, will get worried if another dog comes near the old dog.

Could you dog sit or borrow someones dog for a weekend, to see how your girls reacts? Maybe you could have someone come visit the house with a puppy? Or could your girl visit the breeder with his puppies (when the mother isnt around!!) a couple of times to see how she reacts?

good luck in any case, hopefully she will get on great with the new arrival, and they will be the best of friends and company for each other

The Bishop Basher

As usual, we as humans over think this. They're animals, they'll be grand. That's not to say that there aren't dogs that won't get on but in general they'll figure it out for themselves and no amount of human intervention will change that.

When we got our recent pup the old fella hated her. We left them at it and 6 months on they're inseparable. We've never found it any different tbh.

No disrespect to the previous poster but if you want to waste your money on dog shrinks go for it but animals are animals and they have their own way of figuring these things out.

The Bishop Basher

As usual, we as humans over think this. They're animals, they'll be grand. That's not to say that there aren't dogs that won't get on but in general they'll figure it out for themselves and no amount of human intervention will change that.

When we got our recent pup the old fella hated her. We left them at it and 6 months on they're inseparable. We've never found it any different tbh.

No disrespect to the previous poster but if you want to waste your money on dog shrinks go for it but animals are animals and they have their own way of figuring these things out.

Valentina

I had my first dog nearly 3 years before we added the second. As the previous poster said, they sort themselves out. I have two bitches and they've never had any issues with each other. I was cautious at first as the puppy was so small when she first arrived and kept an eye on them playing but they were very good with each other. Now three years on they are the best of friends and totally inseparable. Best of luck with it, it's not going to be nearly as worrisome as you think!

Bullseye1

@aonb yes it will be another Ridgeback.

Thanks again for the advice.

Kukey

Some pups know not to get too hyper around other dogs.When my older dog died I thought my GSD could do with a companion,even though she ignores other dogs & never plays at all my old dog and her got on well together.My sister brought up a JRT pup to me one day as the owners didn't want her,so I said I would keep her for a few days & see how things progressed.If she was too hyper & jumping all over my GSD,I would have to rehome her but It actually worked out well.I have the JRT 2 yrs now & they get on brilliantly together,she will try every so often to get my GSD to play but she only has to look at her & she knows to stop.Yet with other dogs that love to play my JRT has great fun as she is hyper.They are two totally different personalities as my GSD is very serious and laid back.They are two females as well and I have never had any issues with them.:)

ISDW

Hey Bullseye, are you getting your new pup from the North West? 9 days old today? Just wondering if its a breeder I know that has a litter at the moment.

Jester144

I had a male Pomeranian cross and after 18 months I got a bitch from the same place. They are half brother and sister, and we got the male neutered.

The one piece of advice I got at the very beginning was to let them meet for the first time on neutral territory, and it really seemed to work, although this could have just been coincidence. They are inseparable too, and when I take the male out in the car on his own to the dog groomer (the bitch is very, very car sick so can't travel in the car), the female does not know what to do with herself.

From the sounds of it, getting a dog and then a bitch was a bit of a gamble, I never realised this at the time!

Bullseye1

ISDW wrote: »

Hey Bullseye, are you getting your new pup from the North West? 9 days old today? Just wondering if its a breeder I know that has a litter at the moment.

Not from Joan this time, ive seen their litter on FB. They look fab. the breeder is from Belfast. I think their dog maybe the Sire.

Bullseye1

Actually got details on the Sire

The sire is diamondridge bakari of zebrariver. He is a stunning boy with the best temperament of any ridgeback I know. He is very laid back & seems to pass that on to his pups. His father is the very famous pansa dafina from France. Boma as he is known at home is an English champion