Advice please (multiple dogs)

[Urika]

I am interested in getting another dog, but it will be about a year from now. More than likely it will be a rottie bitch. Diesel will be almost two.

For those of you with multiple dogs.... what is the best way to introduce them?

Has anyone had any major problems with dogs of the opposite sex?

Right now, I think Diesel would do well around a pup. My neighbor recently purchased a 9 week old lab. Diesel is very careful around him, it's almost as if he tiptoes around him. He'll lay on the ground and allow the pup to jump and play with him.

Any advice would be appreciated and I have not made a firm decision yet.

[majicka]

I have 3 dogs. My house is a total mad house. I introduced on neutral territory. Bruno and Brazen were super socialized to the point where any type of dog could walk into our house and it wouldn't matter to them. Bruno as big as he was, was always super gentle around pups.

Brando who unfortunately isn't super sociazlied was a different case. Meeting on neutral ground didn't really matter. He wanted no part of Happy. Well tough tooties. The next day they were playing like old friends. Brazen was like oh, another puppy. been there done that, I'm going back to bed.

I've never had issues with same sexes, but my female is spayed and my 2 current males are neutered. Bruno was my only unneutered male and I never had issues with him w/ neutered and unneutered males, females spayed or not.

One thing you have to be sure of is to supervise play and make sure the puppy bonds with you more than he bonds with Diesel.

I love having a multi dog household. My dogs always have someone to just be a dog with. It's triple the work, but also triple the fun.

[tugger5000]

Male and female shouldn't be a problem. We didn't do a proper introduction (neutral ground, etc) because Dante is so outgoing, we brought Aedia in, let her sniff around, met Dante (just over a year old), he started to play, and she "revoked" his puppy privelege.

They've been inseperable ever since...

[bigbzeus]

Opposite sex is not a problem!!! They will actually get along together very well. If your dog is good with pup. I would not have any concern at all :biggrin
But like others was saying(I fogot to asked) Would you will have the quality time training the second pup, after training the first one? takes alot of work.
I remember when I first own my brung my puppy home, he was 3 months old and few weeks later I brought a second one home, he was 1 years old(thinking that they will be too lonely.. this is a wrongful thinking) And they were nuts and had a very very very hard time training them.(My 2 dogs died of seizure and diabetes) I really regret not being able to spend qualities time with my other 2 dogs, not being able to give them the right training they were suppose to get.


Goodluck~

[Judi W]

I am not a believer in the neutral ground theory, but regardless, bringing in a puppy is not the same thing as introducing adults. Any sane mentally stable adult should be perfectly fine with a little pup regardless of where met.

The question to consider is will you have time to continue on with the older dog in his career of learning and do the puppy.

[Patty1231]

Originally Posted by Judi W

The question to consider is will you have time to continue on with the older dog in his career of learning and do the puppy.

This is a big one! The amount of time involved with training and exercizing a second dog is a real issue. I introduced Perle (at least age 5) to Rocco when he was 18 months. I couldn't imagine working a puppy into that scenario - but that's just my situation (I work full time). The walks alone are a major time committment because they really should be walked individually so bonding, training, and play can be had with you on a one-on-one basis.

[Canadianrotti]

I thought having a second dog would only be a LITTLE more work, boy was i ever WRONG!!!!! Having a second dog is a lot more work. It is very difficult to train the pup, as the older dogs want to get in on the fun, she is always stealing their toys, eating their food, etc, etc. This means that there are no more bones for the older dogs to chew on freely, and their teeth are suffering.......the list goes on.

As another here said, getting a second dog to keep the first one company is doing it for the wrong reasons. Think about why you want to add another dog to you home.

Will I ever have 2 dogs at the same time again? Absolutly!!! I love the way they play together, and how they have now bonded and work together, and it makes my life more intersting (hahahahaha)

[bigbzeus]

Being able to have them get along is GREAT!!! but if not which one of the 2 will you give away??? R u sure they will have a the same thinking or treat them the way you would???

[Urika]

Originally Posted by Judi W

The question to consider is will you have time to continue on with the older dog in his career of learning and do the puppy.

Yes, I will. That's also the reason I would like to wait awhile before getting another pup. Diesel is doing great right now by himself and I (and I think he does too) enjoy taking classes with him.

[Urika]

Originally Posted by Patty1231

This is a big one! The amount of time involved with training and exercizing a second dog is a real issue. I introduced Perle (at least age 5) to Rocco when he was 18 months. I couldn't imagine working a puppy into that scenario - but that's just my situation (I work full time). The walks alone are a major time committment because they really should be walked individually so bonding, training, and play can be had with you on a one-on-one basis.

Over the next year I will do some serious thinking before I make my final decision. My husband already gave me the go ahead. I work a total of 12-15 hours a week, if that. So, I have a lot of free time.

[Urika]

Originally Posted by bigbzeus

Being able to have them get along is GREAT!!! but if not which one of the 2 will you give away??? R u sure they will have a the same thinking or treat them the way you would???

If I had to answer right now "which one would you get rid of"? The answer would be the new pup.

Why should they think the same? They are two separate dogs? Hopefully, the new pup will adjust and obey as well as Diesel does.

I'm not sure if I understand your last question. Are you asking would I treat them the same?

[Judi W]

To me, it is as much the learning that takes place taking that first dog as far as it is possible to go as it is the amount of time. Expanding them that far and beyond is how you learn the possibilities and answer the "what have you done with what you have" question because that is where the answer of what you are going to do with the next dog lies. Seeing the potential that lies within this wonderful breed.

[Urika]

Originally Posted by majicka

One thing you have to be sure of is to supervise play and make sure the puppy bonds with you more than he bonds with Diesel.

I love having a multi dog household. My dogs always have someone to just be a dog with. It's triple the work, but also triple the fun.

Thanks for the heads up. You sound very happy about your dogs.

[RottieGirl86]

I got an adult rescue dog when Athena was 18 months. Max was an estimated 2 years.

Only issue with him was he was not housetrained. He had a few accidents but other than that, he's been a gem. As the lady at the kennel ( he was at a outdoor kennel that the humane society had fostering him as a temporary means) He's a true gentleman. I have to agree.

They met on nuetral ground, but I don't think Athena would have cared. They are wonderful playmates. Mid-wild dog antics, Max will stop if I call him. I really lucked in when I got him.

He has a few issues - touch sensitivity on his paws, etc. So, he gets his nails done at vets - sedated as yet. My vet & I are working on it.

So, if the work of a puppy doesn't appeal, I'd suggest looking at rescue - but make sure it's a true fit into your house.

Best of luck.

[onthedl74]

Okay so I have 4 dogs right now...3 males and 1 female and we have been fostering a pit male...(Don't tell animal control) The only problem we have is our english bulldog does NOT get along with 1 of our male rotties..He actually will attack him if given the opportunity. The other dogs were not introduced on neutral ground, but we did not just throw them together either. In the beginning we always supervised their play time in the yard and made sure no one dog was trying to dominate the other. The first few months were rough but now they all act like they were raised together....all except that stubborn Mack!