Looking at getting dog no.2!

shakencat

Any advice will be greatly received!

I have a lab x who is almost 2, and am looking for a play mate as she is very needy.. looking to let her live a little more!

we foster from time to time and she's forever out the back playing with the new friends, so i think its time we allow her to get a play mate..

any ideas on type etc?

there are pups in a pound in water ford, doberman/red setter..
unbelievably cute...
I want to rescue, not buy....


heres the lady looking for a friend herself,
i should sign her up to tinder! hahahaha

YesPlease

She is absolutely gorgeous!

Would you think about getting an adult dog? Just because if she's a bit needy & you get a puppy is there a chance the puppy would just copy that behaviour?

She's a lucky dog gonna be getting a permanent friend!

aonb

+1 for the gorgeous #1 dog! She looks so healthy/happy!

Lucky you getting another pet - and great that shes well socialised with your previous fosters. There are pro's and con's for getting a pup vs a grown dog. If your lab x is an energetic girl, there will be lots of rough play if you get a puppy... do you have the time to train a puppy... puppy might cost more than a grown dog, with vacc's/neutering/other issues... On the other hand, there is nothing quite like having a puppy around the place If you are going to adopt rather than buy then probably best thing is to see what is available in the shelters - a grown dog would provide an instant playmate - as long as personalities were compatible. You would know what you are getting rather than a puppy that might have a mix or unknown breed in there. A dog would probably be better than a bitch since #1 is female? Lots to think about, since you have a needy dog already, I would do some serious research before you adopt - make sure that the shelter knows that your dog is a bit needy, and you want to ensure that #2 is compatible/good mix.

Good luck, and let us know how you get on

shakencat

i feel safer with getting a puppy so i know they will be compatible... this would mean personalities wont clash!

My other half is working from home for a few months, so yes, this is why its the time to get a second, rather than when we are both working longer hours and wont have the time to train!

We put the work in when it came to Raven, we would do the exact same with the new edition!

We have a pup in mind, and have been in contact with a shelter, i never wanted a male dog ( for no reason, my mam just always had female dogs as our family pets! )

I'm just a bit up in the air, as exciting as it is, it will be hard for a while!!

and I'm worried if raven dislikes the new pup - what happens then!!

Nody

You are aware that female / female pairings is the one most likely to fail and have aggression, right?

aonb

Its funny how we stick with what we "know" - Ive never had bitches, always dogs - two bitches can be an issue I believe, but I have a friend with 3 bitches, that rarely have a problem, another friend has 2 bitches, again rarely a problems... it all depends on personalities I guess. Raven is happy with visiting foster dogs, so sounds like she is well socialized, and its a good time with your OH at home to have a puppy... as you say, all up in the air - exciting times!

scarepanda

Hey!

We got our second dog only a few weeks ago! We have our first dog 3 years in September and decided that it was the right time to get number two.

We ended up getting a male pup, I was a bit apprehensive at first because like yourself our first dog is a bitch and we always had bitches at home. He's also a rescue. He's by far a lot harder work than our first dog, not sure if it's because of his breeding, background or because he's a boy! His breed does have an impact though.

Our first dog is a gorgeous kind, caring, well mannered dog, but one thing that's really come to light is how patient she is with him. There also starting to play with each other which is fantastic!

There's times I wonder what we have let ourselves in for, especially when he's hyper, but don't regret it for one minute getting him. Right now I'm lying on the couch with the first dog asleep on her chair and the pup asleep on the floor underneath me and it's bliss!

If ye feel it's the right time to get number two, then go ahead. Your dog might sulk at first but she'll appreciate it in a few weeks and you'll wonder how she ever managed before on get own!

Speak to the shelter, explain your first dogs personality and they will match you with a suitable dog, whether a pup or adult. One thing to note if going for an adult, speak to the ACA staff who work in the kennels with the dogs, they will know the dogs and will be able to give you the best information on what the dogs personality is really like. Dogs can suffer badly from kennel stress and what you see on a visit is not always what the dog is really like or what it will be like once its finds a suitable loving home.

Best of luck!

shakencat

Nody wrote: »

You are aware that female / female pairings is the one most likely to fail and have aggression, right?

I've heard this, but mam has two bitches, no problem, and my brothers dogs stay in mams during the day, thats four bitches in the one house every day with dad.

the odd normal growl, thats bout it....

tk123

shakencat wrote: »

I've heard this, but mam has two bitches, no problem, and my brothers dogs stay in mams during the day, thats four bitches in the one house every day with dad.

the odd normal growl, thats bout it....

Not to be cheeky but is your heart set on one of these female pups in the pound - before people go to the bother of taking time to give you advise? It's just that there's threads like this all the time that go on for pages, OP ignores advise and replies they got the cute puppy and then a few months later comes back for advice when things don't work out..
.

Ashbx

aonb wrote: »

Its funny how we stick with what we "know" - Ive never had bitches, always dogs - two bitches can be an issue I believe, but I have a friend with 3 bitches, that rarely have a problem, another friend has 2 bitches, again rarely a problems... it all depends on personalities I guess. Raven is happy with visiting foster dogs, so sounds like she is well socialized, and its a good time with your OH at home to have a puppy... as you say, all up in the air - exciting times!

Agree, I have always had bitches and never had any issues! I have two at the moment and they have never came close to fighting!

Cows Go µ

About the bitches being together being an issue, it really depends on the dogs. I've got girls only, never have any issues. My mum has a mixture of all sizes and genders. The girls all get along except for two who would do that I'm taller than you thing when one of them is in season, the rest of the time they are great together but once hormones get introduced everything gets a little crazy. She has two boys who are best friends, do everything together until there is a bitch in season and they can barely even be in the same room together. And she has a boy and a girl where the girl hates him for no obvious reason, and he completely ignores her.

Then again, I just got a puppy and the breeder said that all of her boys get along even when there is a girl in season but she has one girl who is never ever allowed to be left with another girl because she will fight.

It completely depends on the dogs, some girls don't like other girls, some girls don't care, there are even some who dislike boys. You can never really tell until you have them together. Though I do think neutering helps as when they are in season that's when all the problems seem to start and once they start they can be very hard to fix

Melendez

This post has been deleted.

Roaster

Nody wrote: »

You are aware that female / female pairings is the one most likely to fail and have aggression, right?

I've 4 lurchers, all bitches,never had any aggression problems.

kylith

I think it's not so much that bitches are more likely to be aggressive to each other but that if they do fall out bitches are less likely to get over it and be friends again.

aonb

kylith wrote: »

I think it's not so much that bitches are more likely to be aggressive to each other but that if they do fall out bitches are less likely to get over it and be friends again.

a bit like us humans then?!?!

kylith

aonb wrote: »

a bit like us humans then?!?!

I'm saying nothing

shakencat

tk123 wrote: »

Not to be cheeky but is your heart set on one of these female pups in the pound - before people go to the bother of taking time to give you advise? It's just that there's threads like this all the time that go on for pages, OP ignores advise and replies they got the cute puppy and then a few months later comes back for advice when things don't work out..
.

Hey, no no, my heart isn't set on anything!
Took us a while before we decided on raven, had seen a few dogs and felt no connection! sounds odd i know!

but with raven it was an immediate I WANT HER moment haha!

We still havent chosen a pup/dog,
we helped out up at <snip> (cleaning/walking/feeding) on sunday and wanted to meet all the dogs to see if any would suit...
gorgeous dogs, but none of which either of us felt drawn to...

i think ill keep an eye out but not 'Look' specifically for anything in particular!

mariecxx

that is one cute dog! makes me wish my baby was that young again and her arthritis wasn't constantly at her

dealornodeal23

I have 2 dogs a Springer spaniel and a collie x aged 5 and 7 they are the best of friends. Your dog is gorgeous and please get her a playmate. You never have to worry about her being alone in the house

shakencat

dealornodeal23 wrote: »

I have 2 dogs a Springer spaniel and a collie x aged 5 and 7 they are the best of friends. Your dog is gorgeous and please get her a playmate. You never have to worry about her being alone in the house

thats one of the reasons also,
I'm back to work now.. she's not alone, i can get home at lunch etc, but i think a friend would help

tk123

My advise would be to be careful and maybe foster rather than take on a puppy from the pound - unless you know it's history and can see at least one of the parents to suss them out. My dog has issues - maybe saying he's needy is more polite lol but when I added a second dog I was very very careful because I needed one that was the opposite to him in a lot of ways. When I picked my pup (she's 2 now) I chose the most laid back lazy pup but more importantly I was there to see the mum - was she calm or skittish etc etc. I picked the right pup for us anyways - she is laid back and pretty bulletproof...but I did a lot of work socialising say her around noises that freak my other dog out - I'm just over 5 foot so couldn't afford to have 50-60kgs of golden retrievers freaking out at the end of their leads lol!! Dog #1 is still needy in most circumstances so just allow for that too.

shakencat

tk123 wrote: »

My advise would be to be careful and maybe foster rather than take on a puppy from the pound - unless you know it's history and can see at least one of the parents to suss them out. My dog has issues - maybe saying he's needy is more polite lol but when I added a second dog I was very very careful because I needed one that was the opposite to him in a lot of ways. When I picked my pup (she's 2 now) I chose the most laid back lazy pup but more importantly I was there to see the mum - was she calm or skittish etc etc. I picked the right pup for us anyways - she is laid back and pretty bulletproof...but I did a lot of work socialising say her around noises that freak my other dog out - I'm just over 5 foot so couldn't afford to have 50-60kgs of golden retrievers freaking out at the end of their leads lol!! Dog #1 is still needy in most circumstances so just allow for that too.

Ye my other half is in the same mind as you.. he's weary of pups from a pound because we wouldn't know their backgrounds.

dogs also 100% change if they have been lucky enough to find a home after the pound.
so when you see em in a pound they have a different personality to when you actually take them home and they relax.. and become themselves

tk123

shakencat wrote: »

Ye my other half is in the same mind as you.. he's weary of pups from a pound because we wouldn't know their backgrounds.

dogs also 100% change if they have been lucky enough to find a home after the pound.
so when you see em in a pound they have a different personality to when you actually take them home and they relax.. and become themselves

I get that dogs change but they can also inherit behaviours from their parents that will not magically sort themselves out after a few weeks or even years without intense training.

ShaShaBear

shakencat wrote: »

Ye my other half is in the same mind as you.. he's weary of pups from a pound because we wouldn't know their backgrounds.

dogs also 100% change if they have been lucky enough to find a home after the pound.
so when you see em in a pound they have a different personality to when you actually take them home and they relax.. and become themselves

The simple solution is to take a dog from a rescue that operates a fostering program. The dog will have been living in a full home setting and, aside from a little bit of re-adjusting over a day or two, you will have full knowledge of the normal behavior of the dog.
Just like with people, just because you know the parents does not mean the offspring will develop an expected personality.

shakencat

So this happened...

Bandana boy

More details please !

tk123

The head on him lol! I love rotties... almost as much as retrievers

Knine

kylith wrote: »

I think it's not so much that bitches are more likely to be aggressive to each other but that if they do fall out bitches are less likely to get over it and be friends again.

This above. I have terrier bitches living together, however I am very careful.

Let me mention from bitter experience bitches can live together for many years & suddenly fall out & then can never be in the same room together. Not only that but fighting bitches can actually kill each other. They don't back down the same way males do.

I have an extremely well socialised Border puppy who for the moment happily lives with 2 other bitches. She absolutely hates her litter sisters who regularly visit.

If I was looking for pets, I would definitely add another male to your family rather then a bitch.

aonb

Hey just noticed Ralphs tail is not docked? He is such a gorgeous boy - is he very young or just small (or Raven is big)? Love the little face! How is he settling in?

shakencat

Hi Guys!

He is 4 months old and only 20kg, he is about 10 kg underweight...
Also, Raven is quite big too.. shes 40kg! not a pick on her either!!

Its going well.. Ralph was rescued in Kilkenny, he was found with barbed wire wrapped around his neck and was wandering the streets for 2 weeks before he was taken to the pound, this is where we got him..
Broke my heart to think he was on his own at such a young age.

He is brilliant.. lovely temperament and very very smart..

Raven is still getting used to him, as all of a sudden our attention isn't solely on her!

We have him for foster for the time been.... once she settles we will adopt

I love him already and we are teaching him tricks etc like he is our own..

She is getting better day by day with Ralph, every day she is progressing, this morning he creeped into the bedroom and she wagged her tail to see him! BIG STEP!!

Main thing we are doing is making sure she still gets her walks each day, still sleeps upstairs on the landing, he is currently kitchen bound due to house training!!

But i think raven likes this for her own space.

We give her some time out times too.. ill go into the tv room and have her with me.. and my other half will bring Ralph into the back room and do training, or simply just hang out, so they both have their own time..

I love the idea of her having company though...

shakencat

aonb wrote: »

Hey just noticed Ralphs tail is not docked? He is such a gorgeous boy - is he very young or just small (or Raven is big)? Love the little face! How is he settling in?

Yes!

Full tail!! like a whip!

jimf

poor little pet I sense a vey happy ending shakencat u have a good heart lucky doggies old and new

shakencat

I really want a happy ending
My other half is besotted too..

I get up about 7 for work each morning, and he gets up with me so he's first to open the kitchen door to see him!!!

He works from home, so dosent even have to leave his bed if he didn't want to hahaha

ElKavo

shakencat wrote: »

I really want a happy ending
My other half is besotted too..

I get up about 7 for work each morning, and he gets up with me so he's first to open the kitchen door to see him!!!

He works from home, so dosent even have to leave his bed if he didn't want to hahaha

My Shadow is literally like my and my daughters shadow. If either of us is in the room she is right there beside us. Rotties are the best EVER!!! IMO. Although he will be a big snorer!

shakencat

Hey guys!!
Just read back over this thread!!

Time has flown!!

All is well with the two besties!

Best adult decision we've ever made

(Bar a toastie machine!! Haha)

I'll try attach a photo!

shakencat

They're such a perfect couple!

volchitsa

They're so gorgeous.

I'm glad you bumped this thread up, SC, because I'd already seen pix of the two sweeties when you had a foster pup who looked just like he'd been their offspring (any news of him BTW?) but I didn't know the back story.

Really nice to read this.

shakencat

volchitsa wrote: »

They're so gorgeous.

I'm glad you bumped this thread up, SC, because I'd already seen pix of the two sweeties when you had a foster pup who looked just like he'd been their offspring (any news of him BTW?) but I didn't know the back story.

Really nice to read this.

Thats Lottie

She's up in Belfast now with two Rottweiler Sisters

Here she is with us!!







and here she is now with a new sisters


far left!