New fila puppy?

[Angelbears10]

Cane is 14 months. I have been thinking about adding a little girl into the mix(not for breeding). Is it better to do it while he is younger or should I wait until he is older?

What kind of trouble am I setting myself up for? Cane is spoiled rotten, has never been around other dogs, except when he was a small pup and he tried to jump all the full grown filas at a fila get together. He is also never left alone, he has terrible seperation anxiety. If we leave my son comes over to babysit. I don't think he is going to be very happy at first but do ya'll think he will accept a new family member.

I would really love to try my hand at a rescue but I'm afraid I'd be asking for trouble if I brought an older dog in. Any thought here?

Thanks Robin

 

[Paige]

I would suggest getting your dog's current issues under control before adding another dog to save yourself from a massive head ache. It would suck if he influenced your next one to have bad seperation anxiety too. That's just my two cents.

 

[Laurelin]

I agree with Paige BUT I got a new dog while having another that had separation anxiety. In my case it helped my dog with SA immensely. I'm not saying it will and in many cases it doesn't, but for us, Summer is much much much calmer having another dog to stay with plus the desensitization I've done.

Have you tried desensitizing him to you leaving? Or even talked to a vet about meds? (They didn't work for Summer but I know other SA dogs that have had a LOT of help from meds) Also, I'll Be home Soon is a really fantastic read for those of us dealing with SA.

What happens when you leave him?

 

[JennSLK]

I agree. You really need to work out Dog #1's issues before adding another one.

 

[Romy]

Have you considered fostering a puppy or older dog to see how he handles it? It might be a good way to see how having another dog around affects his separation anxiety. Some dogs with SA respond very positively to having a dog friend around when their humans are gone. And like has been mentioned, some rub off on the new dog.

That way if he does get upset about another dog in the house you're not stuck returning a puppy. Worst case scenario, you might have to crate and rotate until your foster is adopted or find a new foster home.

 

[Renee750il]

The fostering is a good idea, but since this is your first Fila, I'd definitely suggest a YOUNG female, or one with a softer than type temperament. It's really a matter of meeting the dog and seeing how it goes.

Filas tend to be happier with another dog. They have a long history of living and working together.

One thing to remember with "separation anxiety" in a Fila is that these dogs LIVE to be with you. Expect some. They learn as they grown, and 14 months old is well old enough to be given a job, per se, when you leave. I've always told mine, "watch the house" or "watch the car" when I leave. Being charged with a task FOR you is the next best thing to being with you.

 

[filarotten]

Each of mine have had, or has, seperation anxiety. I make sure to tell them to watch the house and I'll be back, each time I leave. It is hard for them to understand that they can't always go with me. Filas live for you, and you only.

I agree with Renee, (as usual ) a young female and/or possibly a softer temperment might be a good idea. Cane may be a little jealous at first, he has been the only baby in the house, however he should adjust quickly and enjoy his new playmate.

It is a requirement to keep us updated on the progress with pictures and daily postings when this occurs.

 

[Paige]

I agree with Paige BUT I got a new dog while having another that had separation anxiety. In my case it helped my dog with SA immensely. I'm not saying it will and in many cases it doesn't, but for us, Summer is much much much calmer having another dog to stay with plus the desensitization I've done.

Have you tried desensitizing him to you leaving? Or even talked to a vet about meds? (They didn't work for Summer but I know other SA dogs that have had a LOT of help from meds) Also, I'll Be home Soon is a really fantastic read for those of us dealing with SA.

What happens when you leave him?

It made Spanky's SA better but also worse. If I took Bandit out of the hosue without him he'd flip out even harder.

 

[filarotten]

I really doubt you will find a Fila, that does not, or has not, had, SA at some point in it's life.