Advice about getting second rottie

[Gome]

We have been thinking about adopting a second rottie but aren't sure how our first rottie will feel. She is the centre of our attention and is quite used to being the only (amd very spoiled) rottie. She is almost 3 and as it is, and she is almost a little 'jealous' of me when my husband comes home and doesn't immediately acknowledge her. She doesn't show aggression but clearly wants his attention. I am worried she will be jealous or feel neglected and get depressed if we get another dog. Since she is female, I have heard that rotties get along better with the opposite sex....and would a puppy or older rottie be better since they would be completely different for her and not seem as threatening to her as a result? What do you think about a new addition, and how did you get your first dog to adapt to a second?

[AngelBunny]

Gome:

Only get a second dog if you and your husband want another dog. A dog can live a perfectly, happy, content, perfectly satisfactory life being the only dog in the house.

I recommend the second dog be the opposite sex--two dogs of the opposite sex generally have fewer issues getting along than dogs of the same sex.

If you want to train a puppy, get a puppy. If you want somebody else's rugs to have been soiled & somebody ele's stuff to have been chewed, get an older dog.

Have you thought about making dog #2 a rescue?

We have two bitches of our own, and always have a foster in residence. We typically only foster males to make things easier on our girls. The dogs get along because we demand they get along.

[TrishB]

Gome,

We're in the same area so I thought I'd forward you this URL: Adopt-A-Rott http://www.adoptarott.com

If you're considering an adult dog, these are the people to contact. If you're considering a boy, they do have some males that are accustomed to other dogs! Please consider them.

As for how your girl would feel - please understand that there may be some 'who's higher on the totem pole' discussions. That's just nature! :) But most dogs when introduced slowly, on neutral ground (try in the park) tend to love having a buddy! Also be sure that you spend individual time with each dog so that you can maintain the bond you have, and develop the new one with your new boy.

I'm sure Adopt-A-Rott will have some techniques for you as to how to make the introductions. :)

Please let us know what you decide to do! :D

[CarolineS]

There are pros and cons to getting a second. I have a 7 1/2 year old female, Maggie, and recently was given a 10 month old female, Dresden. I've had Dresden for four months now and things have gone relatively smoothly.

Maggie loves to play and I do enjoy seeing her running and playing with Dresden. Dres has given new life to the old girl. The downside is that Dresden is young and Maggie is a little arthritic, so sometimes I have to step in and stop Dres from bugging her when she's had enough.

I don't think Maggie was ever depressed or felt left out. I've made a real effort to treat Maggie as the alpha dog of the two and to reinforce it every chance I get. She gets fed first, she gets let out first, she gets walked first, she gets patted first, etc, etc. Dresden doesn't resent this at all and patiently waits for her turn for whatever's going on.

I've had to make a real effort to spend individual time with each of them, especially so Dresden bonds with me more than Maggie. I do Dresden's obedience work and on-leash walks alone. If I decide to do an off-leash run in the fields with them, they go together so they can play. I occasionally take them for car rides and into town separately.

I've found that two dogs, especially with one being a young one needing training, are more than twice the work of owning one older well-trained dog. There are days when I feel everything I do is related to dogs and nothing else. I'm sure this will change as Dresden's training comes along.

Truthfully, I do sometimes miss the very quiet special times Maggie and I used to have. It's impossible with a pushy young dog in the house. On the upside, the two of them get along very well and seem to enjoy each other's company for the most part. Dresden is very sweet and very lovable. She is a lot of fun to train and she has a ton of enthusiasm. She's totally different from Maggie, so things are never boring. ;)

There are days when I wonder if I was nuts to get another dog and there are days when I'm out walking with the two of them and think there's nowhere else I'd rather be.