Going from a 1 to 2 doggie house?

[crazycanuck]

Hey,

I know many of you are two doggie households so you might be able to help us. Did you go from a 1 to a 2 dog house? How did the first dog react? Did the dogs take much time to adjust?

We'd like to adopt another doggie (from the same place we got Yukon) but we're not so sure yet. We're still asking ourselves if we deserve another doggie? We're not bad people but umm we are a bit too nice to yukon in terms of food..she's a bit plump

We paid a visit to the doggie refuge yesterday & after a few hours of discussions with one of the trainers we were introduced to a really lovely 2yr old Stafforshire Bull Terrier. He's been there for 1yr and when we went to find check him out, he was in his kennel's sheltered area minding his own business. I feel a bit sorry for him..

We did a test with both dogs in an open training area & neither killed eachother..which is a good sign!
We know we'd have to bring the doggie home in the car on his own and spend the weekend seeing how the two adjusted.

Any ideas?

[ilima]

I have two, both females the same age (now almost 14). The first was planned and then six months after I got her, the second one was dumped in my neighborhood. I think two years would have been better for the spacing.

They used to play with each other a bit more when they were younger, but it was never an everyday thing. Even though they can be bratty to one another (okay, the border collie is a brat to the mutt), I do think they are bonded to one another. The mutt to the border collie more than the other way around, though.

I have heard that dogs of opposite sexes get along better. So the fact that you're considering a male is probably good. There was a period of time where I separated my two dogs when I left them alone because they were fighting; it lasted about a year or so when they were about 8-9.

[jesvetmed]

I hope that this works... I always hate to see those poor souls that are in the shelters for so long -- what a waste of their short lives! PLEASE try him and let us know if it works out!

Excellent that they have a trainer that can give you some good advice on introductions. Read a lot and be prepared to spend some time and effort. But in the long run, it's almost always a good thing to add another dog to the household. (Having said that, we are only a ONE dog household right now -- we rent, and went with a cat instead of second dog due to space). Some day, there will be more than one! (don't tell my current dog that... she thinks she is the ONE AND ONLY in our world!)

[sundial]

We did a test with both dogs in an open training area & neither killed eachother..which is a good sign!
We know we'd have to bring the doggie home in the car on his own and spend the weekend seeing how the two adjusted.

Any ideas?

CC, has a staff member temperament tested the bull terrier? That will help determine how the dog will react around other dogs, cats, small children, men or women. Once you have an idea of the dog's temperament, let them spend some time together in a neutral territory, like a park. When you have determined that the dogs are compatible, set some boundaries at home. When you first arrive at home, make sure all the toys and food are put up so that there isn't a scuffle. I would advise getting a crate for the terrier so that he can feel more secure and safe while you give the other dog time to adjust to a new pack member. Feed the dogs in separate locations and make sure the dogs don't get testy around toys and beds. If they do, separate them for a time out. Make sure they understand you are top dog and that you won't tolerate any territorial issues.

Most rescues will have a 2 week honeymoon period in which they are on their best behavior. After that, you will begin to see their true colors. If you have access to a basic obedience class taught by a reputable instructor (and one that uses positive reinforcement techniques), I would advise that. The dog will become more socialized through a safe and positive environment and you will learn to become the alpha mom.

I have used these techniques with success to integrate fosters into my pack. At one time I had 4 dogs in our little pack and have never had any dominance issues.

I hope this helps and good luck with the adoption. It sounds like he is waiting to become a part of your family.

[crazycanuck]

ilima-we heard that getting another female dog would just cause more issues

Jes-we'll be looking into some private doggie training and some sessions run by the RSPCA.


Sundial-yes, the doggie refuge(www.dogshome.org.au) tests the doggies upon arrival & each one has a profile. Also, on each kennel there's a sign stating what home, dog etc they'd be suited to. If interested, one must complete a 6 page questionnare!

I do know that when we adopted Yukon, there was a family that came at the same time to look at other ones and thier experience was a bit different. They wanted to have a look at a particular dog but the staff said no as it wasn't suited for children under the age of 10.

If we get the doggie, we're purchasing another doggie bed, toys, dishes & blankets so there won't be any fighting . The gent @ the dog refuge also suggested that Ian work from home for a few days post adoption to keep an eye on things.


We shall keep thinking! Thanks for your ideas!!

[Dogmama]

A few tips from the Dogmama - I've been training dogs longer than I've been riding - partly because they had not invented the wheel yet...

1. Everything Sundial said - she obviously has some experience. Temperment testing is as good as the tester - so keep that in mind.
2. Prepare to be ALPHA in your household. That means, both dogs mind YOU. I highly encourage obedience classes for both dogs. This will help curtail any arguing over territory, bones, etc.

3. Staf. bull terriers have a bad rap in general. However, if you start seeing problems, please enlist a GOOD behaviorist. I've seen them work absolute wonders - primarily by establishing who is ALPHA in the household (see #2).

4. One big question is - how good is this guy around children? Little kids have jerky movements that can be misinterpreted by dogs as threats. Dogs don't "hate children" - they're often afraid.


And, "good on you" for adopting this guy!

[sundial]

ilima-we heard that getting another female dog would just cause more issues

It depends on the temp of the dog. My 3 females live in harmony. I've fostered mostly females as well and have never had any issues. My dogs are soft correction females that understand who is in charge and I make sure not to set them up for failure.

Sounds like the shelter does a good job screening applicants. Hope to see pics of your new pack member soon.

[aly]

Right now we have 15 dogs 2 cats and a macaw in our house. 11 are foster puppies, 3 are GSDs, and a chihuahua. The chihuahua was first. Sometimes I feel bad for throwing so much on him, he's not always thrilled about all the action. The second is an older GSD. We thought the older guy was miserable when we added the 1yr old GSD girl, but it turns out that he has really bonded to her. They have all adjusted well to the mom and puppies we are fostering. We've been really lucky with adding dogs. Obviously, I vote yes for the addition (and think you already got loads of excellent advice).

I love that you're looking at a guy who has been in the shelter for such a long time. Those guys break my heart. I hope he works out for you.

Here is a pic of mom and puppies crashed out-

[Jen-Jen]

Hi- I have a 3 dog, 3 cat, and one fish tank household. Myvboys Miles and Brody just got a sister, Ciaro less than 3 weeks ago and they did just fine. I made sure that they met Ciaro on neutral ground.

The only problem I have right on is Miles and Brody are not use to sharing food and dog bones (Busy Bones) with Ciaro. As a puppy she wants what the others have and tries to take it from them as her own even if she has one of her own. Results are growls and the baring of teeth from the older boys.

The same thing happens with ice cubes, which they see as a snack. They tend to fight over those too.

[maillotpois]

We just added a now 4 month old pup to our household which had an 8 year old stud dog (he makes baby guide dogs for the blind) and 2 cats. It's been a month and it has been great. They get along very well. There is a lot more action inside and outside the house. They always want to wrestle and play fight. The older dog has not been quite as "alpha" as I would expect, especially as he is a stud, but he has always been VERY mellow. Some of the growling and not wanting to share food is perfectly normal and they need to sort it out on their own to some extent. Separating them while they eat is also a good idea.

I set up a separate fence within the stud's yard so that he and the pup can be "together but separate" during the day while I work. I am starting to let the pup spend time in the yard itself, but wanted to have a slow-ish introduction. The pup really can be a pain in the neck - he can be relentless.

Good luck!

[Jolt]

crashed out-

Too cute!!

[jesvetmed]

Aly: Oh my gosh! Good for you -- what a bunch of "fun"!!!! Enjoy the puppy breath and all that goes with it!
It will be so quiet when they all find homes!

[Velobambina]

Two dogs are easier than one.

We have three golden retrievers---couldn't imagine just having one again.

[roadie gal]

We got our second dog when the first was about 16 months old. They're both male. We took Toby with us when we went to see Cameron at the breeder's to make sure they'd probably get along. Things have been mostly good between them. Cameron bonded to Toby right away. It's like having 2 brothers. They play, they fight, they tease each other... I think both dogs are happier in the long run for having doggy company.

[Aggie_Ama]

We got our second schnauzer when the first was three years old. The second was a retired breeder that is the litter mate of our first dog's dad. We knew our first dog liked other dogs but was also a bit of an alpha dog. The breeder told me the second one was very passive and she is! At first we got them separate bowls but found they would eat out of the same one, leaving one for when the first was empty. Now they have individual beds but often snuggle into one of the two. I can't imagine Heidi (dog 1) being any happier than she is now that she has a sister, it has been a two dog household for 4 years now. Heidi even takes care of the other one now that she has gone blind.