Advice needed about possibly adding another Rottie....

[Terrie]

I got a call yesterday from the woman we board Payton with. She asked if we would be interested in a sweet Rottie girl. Here is what I know about her. She will be 2 y/o in Jan. weighs about 91lbs. she's spayed and chiped up on all of her shots, I don't know about hips or eyes but being that she's young and not shown I don't know if those have been checked yet. She is well behaved and has been through extensive obediance classes. She's a big fan of agility as well, as she holds the record at the kennel for most times around the course without a break The family is relocating and can't find a place that will except rotties, it's breaking their heart. She gets along great with other animals and with small children, there is a 2 year old little girl in the family. I had questions about whether she was used to a fenced yard, is she crate trained, what level of obedience has she gone through etc....she was going to ask the owner and get back to me.

Here is our situation. We had a little girl in July, she's 12 weeks old. Payton, our male neutered Rott, turned 5 in August. He's healthy, happy and gets along with everyone and every dog he meets. We do not have a fenced in yard yet, we either walk him or he goes on the lead that is anchored in our yard (please don't spam me we are working on fence and with a new born in the house it's hard to walk him all the time) I have a FT job and work Mon-Fri 8-4pm hubby works FT 7pm-3am....we do this so that our daughter doesn't go to daycare which makes someone always home. Ok I think that's all.

So I guess my questions are..am I nuts for even considering this? How many of you have added a young dog to an old dogs home and not had problems? Am I taking on too much with both working FT and having a young baby in the house? Of course my hubby and I are going to sit down and discuss the extra expenses involved in adding another "mouth" to feed etc. I guess I am wondering how hard it will be on Payton and will I be lining myself up for a disaster.

Thanks for any advise/imput you can give.

Terrie

[Patty1231]

Opposite sex and age difference is good. I added 4 yo Perle to 18 month Rocco and, after an initial 2 weeks of Perle trying to eat Rocco, no problems and they're the best of friends now. You know well how much work a rottie is so I guess only you can determine if another is do-able with a 12-week old baby. Remember, your baby is going to be up and into everything before too long. I also work full time (8:30-5/M-F) - no hubby - my son is in college but attends a local campus so he can coach so is living at home.

[AngelBunny]

Has the female's family contacted the dog's breeder about taking her back?? Responsible breeders will do this.

The fact you have a male and this new dog is a female is a positive. So too is the fact your boy is 5 yo and the girl is 2 yo. It's also a good thing the girl had been thru obed--I asume you know this for a fact?? And her agility training tells me she's used to looking to humans for direction.

The only potential rub is see is is the fact you have such a young child. There's a huge difference in a dog's eyes between a human who's 2 yo and one who's 12 week old to the degree the dog doesn't see them as one in the same being; just because a dog is fine w/ toddlers doesn't necessarily translate the dog will be good with a very new baby. However, with common sense and vigilence, it's likely the girl will become fine with your baby.

We have two females, so I would not be one to call another "nuts" for acquiring another dog--especially when the person is doing her homework and thinking the matter thru!

[Bucky's Mom]

Originally Posted by Terrie

Here is our situation. We had a little girl in July, she's 12 weeks old. Payton, our male neutered Rott, turned 5 in August. .............We do not have a fenced in yard yet, we either walk him or he goes on the lead that is anchored in our yard (please don't spam me we are working on fence and with a new born in the house it's hard to walk him all the time) I have a FT job and work Mon-Fri 8-4pm hubby works FT 7pm-3am....we do this so that our daughter doesn't go to daycare which makes someone always home. Ok I think that's all.

So I guess my questions are..am I nuts for even considering this? ............Am I taking on too much with both working FT and having a young baby in the house? ........I guess I am wondering how hard it will be on Payton and will I be lining myself up for a disaster.

Thanks for any advise/imput you can give.
Terrie

She sounds like a nice dog but you sound like your plate is PLENTY full. A 12 week old baby still sleeps a LOT........................a 12 MONTH old won't be so easily appeased. So you will then have a One year Old Toddler, a 6 year old Rottweiler, a 3 year old Rottweiler and still be working full time on alternate schedules to avoid daycare? - Sounds like a recipe for exhaustion and divorce to me.
But maybe you know a "dogless" person who would make a new good home for that girl.
JMHO

[Patty1231]

One other thing I might add is that if you are busy and unable to walk your current dog all the time, how are you going to walk another? These dogs need daily exercise. Just another thought to consider.

[pbach]

The sex/age difference is good.

You need to ask yourself and your spouse - do you have the time and energy it takes to add another working dog into the home. Will you be able to continue the training with this girl and if she's really into agility do you or your spouse have the time and will you be able to make the commitment it takes for her to continue in this venue.

Remember you're still learning about that little angel of yours. Adding a toddler into the mix might upset the apple cart.

Best wishes in whatever you do.

Patty

P.S. If you would like to contact North Carolina Rottweiler Rescue pm me and I'll be happy to give you their contact.

[Terrie]

I would like to thank all of you for your quick and honest responses...this is just what I was looking for I need to see the big picture beyond me wanting this girl because she's loosing her loving family and she looks and sounds so sweet.

Payton gets walked daily do or die, he's gotten used to the stroller now and it's helping me drop those extra baby pounds. I just don't get a chance to walk him everytime he has to go potty.

Lisa what you portrayed is exactly what I hadn't thought about but needed brought to my attention thank you for that. And Patty as for her training she was going to ask the owner and get back to me because she didn't know what level she was at either. We do have a trainer very close to our house and I have a neighbor who will watch the baby while I did that so that's ok.

Patty I am going to PM you for the rescue info, they actually don't live in Charlotte they live in Winston-Salem right now. They aren't moving until the end of the year and are being picky about where she goes to. The kennel owner thought of us because she knows how much we love and want only the best for Payton. Maybe the rescue can help them find her a home to their likeing. I will also suggest they contact their breeder I hadn't thought about that.

You guys are the best

[SonnyRott]

Terrie -

As big as your heart sounds, I personally wouldn't do it. Your baby is the priority and even in the best of situations, there will most definitely be times that you will be exhausted and wonder what you got yourself into.

This young 2 year old girl, who loves agility, will thrive with lots of exercise and brain work. I think at this time in your life, it just may be too much to handle given that you both work full-time and are learning about the joys of (human) babyhood.

[SABELLESMOM]

Speaking as one who has nearly always had at least 2 dogs, and now 3...there's not all that much difference in terms of work feeding, pottying, and providing attention. When I take one out to our exercise yard, I generally take them all. Sometimes, I give the one some "alone time" by using the dog run for one.

Walking is a bit of a different story. The girls (Rotties) need their walks. DH and I share the responsibility. Sometimes we walk together, each with a dog. Other times one of us takes one dog at a time. The Cocker Spaniel is happy with a little bit of ball toss while he's on the dog run, if time is precious.

My friend has 3 kids, 3 dogs. One dog is elderly and stays home. She packs up the kids (bike, trike, and baby pack) and 2 (Rottie and Catahoula) of the dogs. We take our Rotties and meet at the exercise park. Sounds like a lot, but 4 adults, 4 dogs and 3 kids is quite an entourage but it works. The kids (2) either walk or ride bike, and they get tired out with just 1 mile total. Then the kids get to play on the playground. And the adults get a lot of attention over the dogs.

My friend also does agility with her Rottie. DH or grandma's watch the kids so she can have some time to do it.

You don't have to be as nutty as we are. I just wanted to show how it could work. The decision is of course yours. You will have the baby to consider.

She sounds lovely. I'm sure Payton would simply adore having her around. My girls are much adored by their friend Remington. Guys and gals with a bit of an age difference, generally do well.

[caseyjo]

Terry, I actually live in Winston Salem! I have a six month old female rottie... but I don't want another one! Casey Jo is plenty for us! Let me know if you need any help finding her a home... I work at NCBH so lots of people there!

Kristina and Casey Jo

[pbach]

Terri - please forgive me - not trying to high-jack your thread. Just noticed that caseyjo is here in Winston and works someplace really close to my heart. Since she's a junior member I can't PM her. Thought I'd try and get ahold of her through this thread.

Originally Posted by caseyjo

Terry, I actually live in Winston Salem! I have a six month old female rottie... but I don't want another one! Casey Jo is plenty for us! Let me know if you need any help finding her a home... I work at NCBH so lots of people there!

Kristina and Casey Jo

caseyjo - give my extension a call 65485 - we have something in common besides having Rottweilers.

Patty