2 Rotti's Too Much?

[VANCOUVERISLANDROT]

Hey everyone! I'm just looking for some advice/experience....

Oscar's now 9 m/o and is a great boy. We're still working on his excitement level with visitors (likes to maul with kisses/jumping up etc) and of course he's still doing his obedience training. Lately I've been thinking about how nice it would be for him to have a playmate/companion. He gets ZERO dog socialization because no one wants their dog to play with a GASP! Rottweiler. So when we come across other dogs etc, the owners bee-line it out of our area. It's really sad actually because Oscar's dying to play with other dogs and gets all upset when they leave.

Anyways, there's this rescue female that's close in age to him, has a great personality but a tad on the shy side, loves kids, cats etc and needs a good home. I haven't met her yet because I want to be 100% that this is the best thing to do for us and Oscar (if I see her and like her I'll be hooped! haha!).

So I have a few questions:

1. For members who have made the jump from 1 to 2 dogs...was there a major difference (work and hair wise etc)?

2. Is Oscar still too young for a playmate/ another doggy family member in regards to obedience etc?

3. Any chance Oscar wouldn't like her?? He's VERY spoiled and already gets jealous if the cat gets more attention than him. Or will the fact that he has a playmate override that?

4. The rescue female is fixed but Oscar isn't and we were hoping to avoid it until 18+ months old. If she's fixed will this be an issue with him at all??


Any advice, experiences would be really appreciated!

Thanks!

[Patty1231]

1) Yes, there is a major difference in going from one to two - as you might expect, EVERYTHING doubles - work, training, food costs - you name it. Keep in mind, also that your vet bills will double. These are big dogs and so are their vet expenses. Consider what position you will be in if one or both dogs need major care.

2) Yes, in my opinion Oscar is still too young - and you have a lot of work to do with him yet. And he does not NEED a playmate - you are his companion. He should be getting plenty of dog socialization in training class.

3) There would probably be a bigger chance that the new female would not like HIM. LOL! And I would suggest getting an older adult female, if any at all. Females generally take the upper hand anyway.

4) The female MUST be fixed. And I think it is good that you are waiting until 18 months to have Oscar neutered.

That said, I added my first female (an approximately 7-year-old rescue female) when Rocco was 18 months old. I had planned to wait until he was two but the right girl came along so she joined the family. She wanted to eat him for the first two weeks but, after that, they got along very well. My current female and Rocco are great together. They are closer in age (maybe 1-1/2 to 2 years apart with Rocco being the elder).

I did not decide to get a second dog to keep Rocco "company" because I knew he didn't need it. I got a second dog because I have the room and the ability to provide for two and it just so happens we all get along famously! There are so many that need homes. I do, though, recommend you wait a little while longer.

[VANCOUVERISLANDROT]

Originally Posted by Patty1231

1) Yes, there is a major difference in going from one to two - as you might expect, EVERYTHING doubles - work, training, food costs - you name it. Keep in mind, also that your vet bills will double. These are big dogs and so are their vet expenses. Consider what position you will be in if one or both dogs need major care.

Yes I've thought about these things but it's not really a major concern as it's feasible.

2) Yes, in my opinion Oscar is still too young - and you have a lot of work to do with him yet. And he does not NEED a playmate - you are his companion. He should be getting plenty of dog socialization in training class.

This was my most major concern because he's done so well and I didn't want to go backwards with his training. He doesn't get dog socialization because he has private training classes (I love his trainer!). I'm on a waiting list with a group trainer to try and get him more dog socialized BUT I don't know if I'll go forward with it. Every trainer I've found within an hour of me that offer group lessons are all TOO positive training for my liking. You're not allowed to every say "no", they won't let me use a pinch collar on him (which he's getting fitted for tonight) and when I pushed the pinch she suggested I make a "cute" scruntcy to hide it!? Also, different trainers will have different commands/ideas so will it not be more detrimental to Oscar and confusing?
3) There would probably be a bigger chance that the new female would not like HIM. LOL! And I would suggest getting an older adult female, if any at all. Females generally take the upper hand anyway.

This is a really good point and I'll def. take this into consideration, thanks!
4) The female MUST be fixed. And I think it is good that you are waiting until 18 months to have Oscar neutered.

The female is fixed, Oscar isn't.

That said, I added my first female (an approximately 7-year-old rescue female) when Rocco was 18 months old. I had planned to wait until he was two but the right girl came along so she joined the family. She wanted to eat him for the first two weeks but, after that, they got along very well. My current female and Rocco are great together. They are closer in age (maybe 1-1/2 to 2 years apart with Rocco being the elder).

I did not decide to get a second dog to keep Rocco "company" because I knew he didn't need it. I got a second dog because I have the room and the ability to provide for two and it just so happens we all get along famously! There are so many that need homes. I do, though, recommend you wait a little while longer.

The 2nd dog wouldn't only be for Oscar but us as well. This is my 1st experience with Rotti's and I'm in LOVE! My dh had 1 before and had to convince me to get Oscar, I'd never go with another breed again (I've had numerous different breeds) and I thought another would be nice. But like you've kindly pointed out, LOTS more work etc. So not sure if it's the right move for us at this point in Oscar's life. Maybe in a couple years...def. lots of thinking to do.

Thanks so much for taking the time to answer in such great detail!!

Julie

[Patty1231]

No, problem, Julie. Like you, I found it very hard to wait. Rocco was my first rottie (first dog actually) and I absolutely fell in love. You have to remember, too, that they are all different with their own separate personalities but each one is a treasure! When Perle died, it was several months before I got Skye and the house just seemed so very empty without two crazy dogs flying back and forth through it! When you're ready for your second, THEN you will probably never go back to just one. I'd have a third as a foster, if I could afford it.

[tilly]

julie, we have had rottweilers in the family for over 20 years, while living in south africa. after moving to the usa 7 years ago, we were without a dog for 2 years, and then bought sophie, a rottie puppy, aged 9 weeks at the time.
i have wanted to add a second dog several times over the last 5 years, but only now felt ready to do so. we recently got sasha, a 16 week old puppy, and in hindsight, i am very glad that we waited some years. sophie has taken to the new pup wonderfully, which i attribute in part to her being settled and secure with her place in our family.

we did not get sasha as a playmate for sophie, but because we wanted to have another dog. sophie socializes with the neighbourhood dogs on our daily walks, and probably never missed having a playmate in the house.

[GenHannibal]

I have five rotties, 3 are around the same age and the other two are 18 months apart. Having said that, I would recommend that you wait to get a second dog. There is a lot of work to do with your young male. Adding another dog that has some issues would result in less concentration where it would be needed, especially since you are a new Rottie owner. When I got my first Rottweiler, a male, I waited until I had him fully trained and settled, before we got our female. They were 2 plus years apart. We were very glad that we waited!

[VANCOUVERISLANDROT]

Thanks everyone for your replies, very helpful!
After taking into consideration some good points you all made and discussing it further with my dh, I SNAPPED out of it! haha! My dh would really like a female as well but we both know it's just not the right time and it will be detrimental to Oscar.

AND Oscar was wired out all last night, getting into mischief and driving me bonkers (brat! ) and all I could think was "I want 2?! What the hell am I thinking" Yes, yes...5 years to "re-evaluate" is sounding GREAT! haha

Thanks!!
Julie

[tpkloki]

i would recommend 2 i have 2 pups and (2 older staying with ex) and if you nip the fighting thing at the start its great, very rewarding the dogs learn from each other very quickly, of course food and insurance etc. is expensive but hey...
John.........

[gonzales25]

Hi this is my first post here but I have been around here for awhile. My wife and I have 2 Rotts both 4 Mos old males from different litters. They get along great. We had a couple of jealousy issues in the begining, but it takes a little time and they made a wonderful adjustment to each other. All it takes is a little patience and a firm voice and they bahave pretty good. Well good as you would expect from 2 four month olds

[GenHannibal]

Originally Posted by gonzales25

Hi this is my first post here but I have been around here for awhile. My wife and I have 2 Rotts both 4 Mos old males from different litters. They get along great. We had a couple of jealousy issues in the begining, but it takes a little time and they made a wonderful adjustment to each other. All it takes is a little patience and a firm voice and they bahave pretty good. Well good as you would expect from 2 four month olds

If you've been reading the posts, you would have read that having two males is not a good idea, especially if they are the same age. Having two dogs, the same sex are for the most part NEVER a good idea. While they may get along now, there is no guarantee that they will later. Yes, some of us do have more than one of the same sex, but we do have quite a bit more experience in how to deal with such situations. Many of us have to keep them separated. It takes a lot of work to make sure fights don't happen and be very aware of the signs that issues can arise. So while you feel very comfortable for the moment, be very aware that it could change on a dime.

[Mochasmom]

I have a 2 year old male and added a 9 yr old male hoping the age difference would be enough. It isn't. The older guy doesn't care but my young guy does so they are on leash when together and kept seperated otherwise.

gonzales for your sake I hope that once both boys mature (2-ish) that they still get along. It wouldn't be a bad thing to have a plan in place in case they should ever need to be separated. I suggest you do some more reading on same sex/same age households and be prepared.

To the OP, I was amazed at how much more work there was having 2 and nevermind now that I have 3!! Took a bit to work out the system but now it works. I would also suggest waiting a bit, which is what you said you will be doing anyways! Enjoy Oscar growing up!

[gonzales25]

Thanks for the concern every one but I have a little experience with dogs around 20 years so I think I will be alright. Iam well aware of the issues that could arise and I can make the adjustments as needed. My mother in law has 5 rotts and I know they can be a handfull like I said before it takes patience and time....

[LadyTexan05]

I had my girl for a while, and it was a single rottie home, when I first got inu, it was kinda rough, as my trainer said, "you are expecting too much out of him, becuase of the obedience level your female is on" however it is nice to have an older trained dog already so they won't egg on the trouble, and they teach the 'young uns' alot.
Yup the costs most certainly do double, I just got done buying 2 bags of food and 2 (24 cases) of wet food at the low low price of $192.00. EVERYTHING, two collars, two leashes, two toys, two bowls...... In a rottie training magazine they strongly suggest that you buy 2 of everything, don't expect them to share anything.......seems very petty to other "1 dog owners" around you (esp. from my friends), but it helps alot with the 'sharing and caring part'. let me see what else.........they are excellent play mates, there is less room in the car.......the words "be a fair and consistent leader" are challenged to the max..............I havent quite mastered the concept of walking both of them on the double leash, because kikyo is the alpha of the two of them she feels she has to walk in front of him and they are almost never in a complete heel. (should I even expect it?) Tons of joy and twice as many 'rottie shananigans' my biggest problem is him looking to her for guidance rather than me. But other than that I have no complaints. Good luck.

[mrs1885]

I have been so very lucky with mine, but I would not recommend it.

Bear came home and got along fine with my 2 male terriers. They were all best buddies. But I wanted another Rott. I know how you feel, I am so hooked too. We brought Roxy home and things have been great. BUT - keep in mind my dogs are adults, not puppies, and were socialized very well by previous owners. They still need some OB classes, but all has gone better than expected - lucky for me. I also asked everyones advice here and got tons of info on what could go wrong bringing in the second. I knew going into it there could be problems, and had it worked out with the previous owner that if there was a problem I could bring her back.

Hubby keeps saying he wants a puppy - and who doesn't?? There is nothing cuter. But I know we can't handle it, so I've had to say no - and that is not easy. Some day when things settle down I would love to have one, but now isn't the time for us.

The only problem we encountered that we didn't expect is vacations. We planned on taking them two of them with us, but my mother - for our 2 weeks this summer - said she doesn't want two big dogs in her house. We went thru everything and I got great ideas here, but there is no way they can go. That bothers me. We are very lucky to have found a good pet sitter with good local references and our 21 year old son will be home with them too. But, it's just one more thing to keep in mind.

I know you made your decision, but just in case anyone else is reading and thinking of bringing in another.

[VANCOUVERISLANDROT]

Originally Posted by Mochasmom

I have a 2 year old male and added a 9 yr old male hoping the age difference would be enough. It isn't. The older guy doesn't care but my young guy does so they are on leash when together and kept seperated otherwise.

gonzales for your sake I hope that once both boys mature (2-ish) that they still get along. It wouldn't be a bad thing to have a plan in place in case they should ever need to be separated. I suggest you do some more reading on same sex/same age households and be prepared.

To the OP, I was amazed at how much more work there was having 2 and nevermind now that I have 3!! Took a bit to work out the system but now it works. I would also suggest waiting a bit, which is what you said you will be doing anyways! Enjoy Oscar growing up!

As I was reading your post I gazed down in affection to my fur-monster only to discover that he was eating a pair of my socks. LOL!! ONE is more than enough right now, something to re-visit in a few years I think. haha!

Julie