Need advice on adopting second rottie

[scaliwag]

I'm a long time lurker and have obtained wonderful advice from this site.

We are considering adopting a rambunctious 4 y.o. male rottweiler (Mack) from a family who is moving and can no longer keep their dog. We have a female rottweiler will be 8 and suffers from arthritis, so she will be happy to play, but probably not as as vigorously as the male would probably like to do as he lived with another male rottie (not a litter mate).

I would like some advice on a couple of points. First, Mack is very sweet, quite energetic, has basic commands, but needs training on leash walking, stay, come, etc. I have heard that it is more difficult to train adults and would like to know if that is true and if so, how much more difficult. My girl was pretty easy and I would hope she would be an example for him, but is that wishful thinking? We would like to be able to take him hiking, but if it is too late to teach him to stay close, that might be a problem.

Second, how much more work is a second dog?

I thnk my girl would love it because she always has a blast when she stays with her "cousins" (a lab and a ridgback), but there is also the issue of whether she would have not like to share what has been "her" house for 8 years.

They had an initial meeting and there was a some polite sniffing, followed by posturing and some barking, so I also don't know if they will have more clashes in working out the pecking order and that concerns me. I was told that Mack was the submissive one, but the other male was larger.

I would appreciate any thoughts/pointers you might have.

Lorene

[brunie's mom]

They should get along fine. The only concern should be that your girl is arthritic...and when she has had enough, that she get's a chance to lay down quietly without being bugged by the younger dog.

It's true...you can teach and old dog new tricks...you should have no problems training the 4 year old dog. It will be some work for the first 3-4 months....but since the 8 year old girl is trained...some of her good behavior may rub off on him.

I would get him enrolled in obedience classes. It will help him bond to you, and may show you some new techniques to train him (clicker,equipment,etc.). I would also crate him for the first month or so, till he understand the rules of the house...and your girl has a chance to have him around but not under her feet.

You may also not be able to leave toys or bones around the house like you did before....it may start a conflict, at least at the beginning.

Good-luck!

Gina

[scaliwag]

Thank you so much Brunie's Mom!

We just brought Mack home and introduced the two. They are sniffing and getting a feel for each other. There is some posturing and noise making going on, mainly when they are both looking for attention. Do you have any advice to offer on that?

Obedience classes are definitely in the cards for Mack and me. It's interesting because my girl is totally food motivated and this guy could not care less.

Thanks for the crate suggestion--we'll pull out our crate right away. I've been told Mack is not familiar with the crate, but I hope he learns to like it!!

[AngelBunny]

Thank you for considering adopting Mack.

I'm guessing Mack originally came from a BYB because it doesn't sound as tho his breeder will step in and take him back.

My DH and I are active in Rottie rescue and only foster mature males. It's baloney you can't teach an old dog new tricks. You can teach and train a healthy dog up until the dog's death. Very often our fosters arrive at our house wild children--actrocious leash manners, countersurfers, impolite greeters of people, markers in the house, poor car manners, foolish about having nails done, et al.

A few weeks in our home, with lots of physical exercise, strict rules that are immediately enforced, and lots of positive reinforcement and training turns them into model citizens ready to be be adopted.

With Mack needing polishing, it's fortunate your girl is as smart and trained as she is. Time and again I've seen our fosters model their behavior on that of our girls'. And time and again, I've seen our girls insist that fosters straighten up and fly right--they will not tolerate pushy, rude behavior and correct fosters for inappropriate behavior. If your experience is any guide, I think you'll find your girl helpful in keeping Mack in line.

Once Mack settles and gets some good manners under his belt, I don't think you'll find a second dog much more work than one dog. What does become work is a third or a fourth dog!

The only two pieces of advice I'd offer: Make sure you give your girl special time and let her know you love her first and best. And, make sure she can get away from Mack if he insists on playing with her morning, noon, and night. At 8 she deserves peace when she wants and needs it.

Good luck. If you adopt Mack, I hope you'll let us know how you're faring.

[scaliwag]

Thank you for the encouragement and advice. I agree that Mack is from a BYB. I hope it works out with my girl, though, because he really is a sweetie.

[fostermom]

Thank you for trying to help this boy. He does sound like a sweetie. I always leash new dogs to me...it provides an easy and non-confrontational way to monitor/correct behavior, whether it be jumping up on the sofa, countersurfing, rushing out a door first, housetraining, or even monitoring initial introductions with my crew (four dogs and six cats). Usually it only takes a couple of light corrections for an undesired behavior for the dog to figure out what you want and it eliminates the need for huge confrontations (chasing the dog about the house, trying to pry the pot roast out of his mouth he just snagged off the counter, etc) as he never gets to reinforce bad behavior by engaging in it (ie you are able to correct the MOMENT he even thinks about it). Most of my fosters are adopted withing six to eight weeks and I have always been told what great housemanners they have. Remember to reinforce EVERYTHING that you want him to do.
Actually, "teaching" adult dogs is much easier/quicker than with pups or adolescents.
As to the high energy vs geriatric thing, I would carefully monitor their interactions....the one adolescent I fostered was so high energy he was only allowed to interact with my crew for brief periods as he would quickly overwhelm them. Usually females let the males know what they find acceptable (my female would "alpha roll" the adolescent male) and usually the boys are more than happy to comply. I usually am very careful with any interactions for the first few weeks until I see they are over the initial tension of working out their pecking order and they are all getting along fine.
I never allow unlimited/unrestricted interactions until I am comfortable that there won't be a problem.
It sounds as if they should both do fine together with a little monitoring on your part initially. Enjoy and good luck!

[scaliwag]

Thanks Fostermom. I know it's easier nip undesired behavior in the bud, but it sure is hard not to laugh at the goofy smile shoved in your face!!

[Weily4Life]

Thank you for considering adopting Mack.

Originally Posted by AngelBunny

With Mack needing polishing, it's fortunate your girl is as smart and trained as she is. Time and again I've seen our fosters model their behavior on that of our girls'.

The only two pieces of advice I'd offer: Make sure you give your girl special time and let her know you love her first and best. And, make sure she can get away from Mack if he insists on playing with her morning, noon, and night. At 8 she deserves peace when she wants and needs it.

In agreement here with AngelBunny. Fozzy was 4-1/2 when we rescued Greta at 14 m.o. We took both to training right away and continued at home. But, there are many times I believe Fozzy has taught Greta so much more, as Greta emulates Fozzy's behavior. Four years later, Greta still pees over Fozzy's spot.

Fozzy is calming for Greta also. Greta will get worked up about something and even irritate Fozzy, who will curl her lips a little but then lick Greta's jowl.

Right on when with ...peace when she wants and needs it. Fozzy sleeps much more then Greta.

As far as your question of more work, it can be. Activity levels are different, so you may find yourself walking or exercising Mack seperately from your 8 year old.

That said, a companion dog for your other dog can provide something that humans cannot.