second dog?

[Dodgers]

hello, me and the mrs are thinking about getting another dog, but before we make any decisions i would like to get some opinions of you people. At the minute we have a 9 month old male GSD he's a lovely dog, really friendly. When we go out on walks he loves to play with any other dogs out there but i think because he is so big the other dogs tend to be a bit frightened. The majority we come across do have a go at him, but he has never had a go back. The only thing that puts me off about having another dog is that he is quite jelous of anyone else that gets my attention, especially kids for some reason. He's not aggressive in any way shape or form he just sort of nudges the other person with his nose lol. Anyway do you think if i bought a pup they would get on? i know it is hard for you to say as you dont know him, but im talking about the breed itself are they quite tolerant to other dogs or should i totally forget this idea? also depending on your answer to the above question what breed would you suggest getting my mrs wants another GSD but i want a staffy or a lab or a collie anyway sorry for the long post and thanks for repling
Adam

 

[bubbatd]

I'd let him get over the puppy stage .... give it a few months... have you thought of a rescue ?? This way you can see how they get along before adoption is final.

 

[Fran27]

If he likes other dogs, it would probably be ok. Make sure you have them meet first, as Bubbatd suggested. Lots of people say it's better to wait until the first dog is past the puppy stage, personally I didn't, and I have no regret at all, but it depends a lot on how your dog is, and if he's mostly trained or not. Keep in mind that if you get a puppy, he will immitate the first one, so you really need him to be housetrained, and know basic commands at least. The other reason for this is that it can be a handful if you have to train two pups at once. Our 7 months old pup was done with his training (we really only care for basics), so it wasn't a problem to get another one. Just make sure you have lots of time to spend with both. And be ready to have two crazy pups playing in the house too

But if you want an adult dog, it's probably going to be easier, without having to worry about training another puppy.

 

[Zoom]

And remember to introduce them on neutral turf, like a dog park or a parking lot. That way your GSD won't feel that a stranger has just invaded and the new dog won't feel as overwhelmed coming into an established territory.

I agree with Bubbatd: Wait until your dog is a bit older and then look for a rescue that's out of the young puppy stage.

 

[Irish]

I also agree with Bubba. Letting them meet first tells a lot. When we decided to get a 2nd dog, the first one we introduced Bear to lunged at him and tried to bite him. Needless to say, Bear didn't like HIM much. But, the 2nd dog we introduced him to - you could tell right away they liked each other. They sniffed and wagged their tails, no growling or anything. That dog is now laying at my feet, Bear's best friend.

 

[AmberwayGSD]

I think you should get a female.You would have a better chance of them getting along rather than if you get a male.Yes everybody else is right with the rescue being your best bet.Help out a dog who really needs a good home.

 

[Susi]

Hi Adam,

I have two RR´s and they get on very well together.
Althought you might not want to hear it or wait, please wait until he is at least two. he is then more stable and he is nearly grown up. He will teach the pup alot of stuff that ýou have taught him through training. Ashiki was 2 and a half and I had very little work with Charu. Ok the usual dog obedience but the does and donts in the house and with other dogs Ashiki taught her.

She was very rough with Charu when we first got her, and I thought she was going to eat her up, I didnt interferr and they are now the best friends. Charu knows her place within the pack.

Think about it

Susi

 

[Fran27]

I have to disagree that you have to wait until the dog is 2. But it totally depends on the character of your dog. I know my puppy was bored all day, so he spent his days sleeping, only playing for 2 hours in the evening. He had no interest in playing with me most of the time and just looked totally bored. I wasn't able to take care of him every hour of the day either. What kind of life is that for a dog? He loved playing with other dogs when we were going out. So I got another pup when he was 7 months. Now he's much happier, runs around and plays a lot more, and he has yet to teach any bad habit to my new pup - on the contrary, the pup understood he had to go out to pee in one day, and he's much easier to train overall (and he chews and plays with his toys).

I agree though, it's better to wait if the pup seems happy alone and/or has bad manners. It's just not always the case. Sorry if I'm insistant, but seeing everyone say you need to wait until the dog is 2 years old makes me feel like I am totally irresponsible and that everyone is sounding like my mom...

 

[Susi]

Hi Fran,
If you make more effort to play and train your dog then it wouldnt get bored.

I am sorry that I am so frank but you were as well.

But everyone has to know what they want or do.

It is a lot easier if a dog is fixed on you and not the other. They get up to mischieve and then you wonder why.

I would always do the same again. I am thinking of getting a third RR and I will wait until she is also over two.

Susi

 

[Fran27]

I was trying, he would just look at me and not move - I tried fetching, I was going on the floor with him, he would come give me a cuddle then lie down again. We went to puppy and basic training classes, and spent more time training with him every day. My husband was playing with him for over an hour in the evening as well. But as I said, I can't spend every hour of my life paying attention to the dogs either, and even if I was spending time with him over 3 hours a day, he still seemed bored.

Also, it's a misconception that a new dog will bond to the other dog more than you. If you do it right, it won't happen. It involves not leaving them together all the time, training the new one seperately, feeding them seperarely, playing with them seperately etc. Of course if you leave them together all the time and ignore them, the new pup won't bond with you. But that will happen no matter how old the other dog is. Age has no matter at all with the problem!

Funny, for such a bad owner I get the attention of Tips anytime even when he's playing with Boris, I'm the one he follows around and not Boris, and it's a breeze with him, because the only issue we have with him was one that Boris forgot a long time ago (barking).

So, do it the way you want but don't go tell me I was irresponsible when you have no clue what I do with my dogs, and stop spreading misconceptions just because it's 'the way you did it'.

 

[Adrienne]

I think if you are ready for it go for it! I have three dogs in my home and they all get along famously. Gunnar, my youngest, it strongly bonded to me even though he could bond with the other two dogs. He loves to play with them of course but is happy as heck to play with me. Just make sure you take the time to train each one individually, away from the other. I also agree that you should first see how they get along on neutral turf, before you make a committment to get the new pup. Most likely there won't be any issues since your pup is still fairly young, he should be more than happy to accept a new pack member and teach it the ropes!

 

[Susi]

Fine Fran,

I tried to be polite about it, but never mind.

You seem to be an expert with dogs so I will leave you to believe it.
Susi

 

[Susi]

politness

Hi fran,

I was only trying to be polite, and didnt want to upset you.

I can now see that you are the overall expert in things having two dogs, so I will leave you to believe in it.

susi

 

[Fran27]

I'm not, and never pretended to be, but not more than you. I haven't seen any valid reason to wait until the first dog is 2. So that he's better trained? Well, some dogs have good manners way before that. So that he's calmer? Why does it matter? Puppies are more adaptable than adults. I personally would think it would be harder to get a new dog when you have an adult dog. So that you don't have to train two puppies? Very good reason, but my first knew all the commands I wanted to teach him, was housetrained, and trustable alone in the house when he was 5 months.

I've read a few times that people advise to wait for the first one to be older, but I have yet to see any other reason than 'so he has better manners'. If your dog has decent manners at 8 months, what's the problem?

My point is, every dog is different. Some will never accept another dog, some will have no problem with it, some feel lonely when they are alone in the pack, some can't be left alone in the house until they are 3, some are reliable at 5 months... Only the owner can know when it's the right time to get another dog.

 

[Susi]

Fran,

smile

Susi

 

[Susi]

Hi fran,

another thing if you have a translation mode in your computer then translate this

Der Klügere gibt nach.

No its not rude its just a wise saying

Susi

 

[Dodgers]

Thanks for all the replys everyone, any other forum i have posted on i was lucky to get one lol. I wasnt planning on getting another pup for a good couple of months yet anyway, as i have a few things that need doing first what is the reason you say to wait 2 years? i mean one of the main reasons for getting another dog would be a mate for buster from a when he was a pup there has all ways been someone in the house but now my brother is of age to leave school and get a job so he will be on his own allot more and when we are out like i said in my previous post he gets attacked allot by other dogs no one seems to want to play with him poor lad lol. anyway like i said thanks for all the repys and here is a pic of him

 

[Adrienne]

Hi fran,

another thing if you have a translation mode in your computer then translate this

Der Klügere gibt nach.

No its not rude its just a wise saying

Susi

The more intelligent one gives way...Love GERMAN!

 

[Fran27]

It's just a tad rude Susi. Thanks for calling me stupid.

But yeah I would be interested in hearing good reasons to wait until the first dog is 2 year old too. I'm always willing to discuss when people actually use arguments.

 

[Susi]

Seeing that there is a translator of german how about this one:

Du hast Recht, und ich habe meine Ruhe.

Susi