introducing a new pup into the household.

[KRISSIE]

hello, I hpe I am posting in the right thread.

Here's my situation, I recently lost one of my beloved dogs & I have decided I would like to get another Rotti, now there is only 1 problem, I have another dog here a 4 year old rotti who is normally not dog friendly with dogs in the street, she was fine with my other dog who passed away but she has known him since she was 8 months old . I went to see my Vet the other day & told her I wanted to get another Rotti & she told me to get a puppy & a male, because my other Rotti is a female & she will probably accept a puppy much easier.

Does anyone know what is a good age to get this pup, I found a Rotti in a shelter in Yonkers , he is 7 months old. I don't know if that is too old or should I get a younger pup. Also any suggestions on introducing the two of them? .

'Any suggestions or ideas appreciated. Thank you ...

[godfreyc]

I don't know how quickly you have to move on this since the other dog is in a shelter but 7 months is still a pup and if it's a male I don't see that it would be a problem. If you have crates then it wouldn't be too hard to introduce them. Or even get help from a friend. First day home I would keep them seperated one of them in a crate at all times and maybe in a different room, just to see their reaction. If there's not a lot of snarling and nashing of teeth you could probably introduce them while they are both on a lead. I doubt the pup will be the problem so your 4 year old should probably remain on a leash while pup is around. It shouldn't take long unless she's very dog aggressive. When you see she's not trying to hurt him let her off but there will probably be a couple of scuffles until they work it out.

[KRISSIE]

Thanks Godfreyc for the advice, I do have a large crate here, it is Brandi's old crate so I can use that. I am going to the shelter tomorrow to see the dog , I am bringing my son with me who is 2 years old to make sure this puppy is Ok with kids ( they claim he is real sweet & lovable so I don't think that will be a problem just Brandi). I really want to save a dog thats why I'm going to shelters . I just want to make sure I introduce them properly. I really want another dog & I hope Brandi will accept one.
Thanks

[godfreyc]

Since your son is two keep in mind that a 7 month old in a shelter probably has no manners so he may be too rough but training will solve that and he should be young enough to adapt really quickly. I think Brandi will do well with a young male, there's always the exception but usually it works.

[thoradopter]

Dear KRISSIE,

I think it's wonderful you want to save a rottie from a shelter to help cope with the loss of your beloved pet Brandi. We did something similar when our first dog Sammy (rottie/GSD X) died from hemolytic anemia about 15 months ago. He was about 9 and we had adopted him from a no-kill shelter when he was 1yo. When he was about 4 we adopted Sienna when she was about 1, also from a no-kill shelter. She became 'dominant' over him, but they got along very well and she was depressed when he was gone. About 6 weeks after Sammy died, we got a call from a rottie rescue group whom we had contacted (knowing we wanted to adopt a rottie or rottie X), that there was a 12-15 month old pure bred rottie in a kill shelter who had only 5 days. Thus, Thor joined our home. Sienna also became 'dominant' over him, but they too became companions. The only significant contention was over food, so each had their separate food and water bowls on opposite sides of the kitchen, and we always fed her just before him. That worked fine, although if there were choice tidbits, her hair would piloerect and she would let out a low growl. We just kept our eyes on them and would stand between them during such competition for morsels. Thor never really contended with her in those situations. They would ride happily in the car together.

When Thor had to be put down for terminal cancer in June, Sienna again became depressed and we will be getting a male rottie puppy soon. Your vet is absolutely right about gettin a male. Given the age of your child, I hope you will always watch your son's ineraction with the rottie pup. The crate is a good idea as long as your son learns he has to keep his fingers out of it. In our experience, the dogs we adopted from shelters seem to really appreciate finally having a loving home. But you do have to think of your human family first.

Please let us know how things work out. By any chance is the pupply in the Yonkers shelter named Chulo? He was on Petfinders, so I'm just curious. Good luck and I hope sharing our experience has helped. Linda

[KRISSIE]

Yes Linda, it is Chulo that I am interested in. I found him on Petfinders too.

I called the shelter today to find out more about him but the man on the phone told me to call back tomorrow to speak to someone who knew more about the pup. so what I'm gonna do is call my Vet ask her if she thinks 7 months is to old & then call the shelter to talk to someone. If my Vet gives me the Ok & the shelter gives me the Ok with young children then I will be taking a trip to Yonkers tomorrow to meet him. You see I would really like to save a pup from a shelter but because of the baby I really need some info on the dogs background , I cannot have a dog who shows any aggression towards kids so I might end up going to a breeder, My hubby spoke to a someone tonight who has some real young puppy's up for adoption & I will be able to meet the parents & check out their dispostions, which is a plus.
If it was just me & my hubby I would go to a shelter in a heartbeat ( I would probably even get an adult Rott) but because of the baby & Brandi their is alot more to consider. Also as I said Brandi is dog aggressive , she was Ok with my other dog but he was here first & she has a dominent personality so maybe a baby rott ( like 8 -12 weeks)would be better. I am gonna call my Vet & speak more to her about this. I want to make sure that I make the right choice for my family , for Brandi & for the new puppy.

What do you think?

[thoradopter]

Dear KRISSIE,

Glad to know its Chulo- he really looks like a nice rottie. I sent you a PM. Linda

[KRISSIE]

Hi Linda I tried to send you a PM but your mailbox is full so I will just post it here.


Hi Linda, I don't mind you asking me questions , they are good questions & you are right their is alot of factors to consider.

To answer some of the questions. I am a stay at home Mom, I do attend school 3 nights a week but someone is always here because of they baby. The younger puppy's are from a breeder & the parents are there to meet , I didn't ask to see medical records but if I decide to go see the pups I will. To be honest I would like to get the older pup because I feel he will be a little more independent & ready to start his training. With the younger pup's I have to wait awile . I called my Vet this morning & she gave me the OK to get either age but she did say she wants to see what-ever dog I get Immediatly to checkout his health, which I agree with.
The younger one is still with the MOm & I would tell the breeder I would rather give him a couple of more weeks with his MOm before I picked him up ( they are 6 weeks right now, & I feel that is to young to be taken away from Momma).
My hubby is also more in favor of Chulo because he is older, probably easier to train & we like the idea of saving a dog & giving them a second chance at life. I am waiting to call the shelter now to speak to them about Chulo, minutes seem like hours right now, I have to wait till 11:00 am when they open & it is now 10: 50 am....LOL.
At this point we are leaning towards Chulo, I will let you know what happens....Thanks for everything.
Your Friend, Krissie

[Soapie&Buddy'sMom]

When I brought in my second dog, Buddy a rottie-lab mix, I went to the pound alone first and chose him. He was nine months old. Then I came back with Soapie, my (at that time 6 1/2 year old chow terrier mix, female) and they met at the shelter. I think it was very important that they met THERE and not at home.
Also it was helpful to see them get along right away, Soapie doesn't get along that great with every dog (she's not a fighter, more of an ignorer) and she and Buddy started playing right away.

Now I have a third dog, Miller, an 8 year old purebred yellow lab rescued from a family with a new baby who wanted to get rid of him, and he gets along okay with Soapie and Buddy, but he doesn't ever play with them. :( I think it's because he was never around other dogs until such a late age.

GOOD LUCK KRISSIE!!

[KRISSIE]

Thanks Soaphie.

Well everyone, I have some bad news regarding Chulo, I just got off the phone with the shelter. It turns out that Chulo is no longer 7 months old ( that notice was posted last year), he has been sitting in this shelter for a year & he is between 1-1/2 -2 now, which is not good for my situation, i must have a pup. Also the woman who brought the dog in did have a kid with her & Chulo seemed fine with her kid but the woman claimed that Chulo was a stray ( which the shelter believes was a lie, she just didn't want him aymore). They said they do not know for sure how Chulo is with other dogs & kids. They said he is a sweet dog but for my situation the risk is just to high.
I feel bad about this
:( , , it is so sad to think he has been sitting there for a year with no knowledge of where he came from. ....:( .
I really hope he finds a home .

[Soapie&Buddy'sMom]

Could you still give him a chance, he is still a pup until 2 years old, right? Maybe? For some reason he really caught your eye...

Soapie was in the shelter for about six months before I got her. She had mange when she was found roaming the streets of Camden NJ and it took a long time for her to get over the mange. Of course, no one really wanted to adopt her with mange.
Anyway, my point is that just because a dog has been in a shelter for a long time doesn't mean they won't make an excellent pet (I know Krissie you didn't say that, I'm just saying it now).
I do think I was lucky with Soapie because one of the workers at the shelter sort of "adopted" her - played with her, trained her, etc. In fact when I chose Soapie, the worker cried and made me promise to send pictures.

Just a thought, good luck with whatever you decide.
I hope you will not abandon a shelter pup regardless, there are so many out there. Lots of them not listed on Petfinder.

[KRISSIE]

Hi Soapie,, If I could take an older dog I would but because I have a 2 year old & a full grown rott I do need a puppy for a couple of reasons. MY Vet told me make sure we get a puppy because Brandi is not dog friendly & she will probably accept a pup but not a grown dog. Also I want a dog that will grow with my son.
I feel terrible about Chulo but I can't take that risk it is unfair to my family & unfair to him if it doesn't work.LIke I said if it was just me & my hubby I would take the chance but that is not the case.
I hope you understand I think Shelter dogs make wonderful pets , you are right , they do appreciate it but I need to be careful in my decision.

[Soapie&Buddy'sMom]

HI Krissie, yes you are right to be so careful. It is better to make the right decision now rather than attempt something with the odds stacked against it and then have a bad situation worse (Chulo having to go back to the shelter after getting a taste of home life :( )

Good luck with finding a puppy! I know the right one is out there just waiting to be brought home to your family. :)

[thoradopter]

Dear KRISSIE,

You have to make the decision you feel is best for you and your family. It's so hard not to adopt a shelter dog you've been drawn toward. Frankly, I'm surprised (and pleased) that the Yonkers shelter has kept Chulo that long. It must be that they think he is adoptable and let's hope he finds a suitable home soon if you opt for the very young puppy.

Your idea to leave the 6-week old puppy with his mother for a while longer is a very good one. There have been some threads on these Forums that have supported the notion that pups who remain with their mother and some littermates beyond the usual 8 weeks gain in socialization and taking discipline from their mother distancing herself and from littermates further working out the pack order.

Please let us know about your visit with the breeder, parents, and puppies. If you go for one of them instead of Chulo, please try not to feel guilty. If you do, one way to compensate for that is to volunteer for transport when needed on this Forum. We can't adopt them all but we can help get them to new homes. Best of luck. Your friend, Linda

[KRISSIE]

Hi Everyone, Well I went to see the puppy's & meet the parents , the parents were beautiful, in mint condition, so I came home with a pup. I took him to the Vet he is in great condition.The Vet commented on how well the pup looks. He is adorable !!!, He is so fiesty....His name is Maximus the 2nd, his dad is the first Maximus.

.
Now as for Brandi, I think she is upset with me. The first night she was growling through the gate , the second day as she was snifing him through the gate, her stub was wagging. Then I had company last night & even though I stressed that it is important not to show to much attention to Max until Brandi is more comfortable with the new situation , well my friends daughter who is 5 doesn't really understand what I was saying & was giving Max alot of attention & Brandi was insulted & mad I'm sure.
This morning Brandi was still grouchie & snapped at Max. MY heart dropped, she did not get him but still he is so small & helpless . I was very upset. Tonight she is better, she is wagging her stub , looking at him through the gate. I think I will not have company until Brandi is more comfortable, I think between the new pup & the company it was too much for her to deal with right now.I love Brandi with all my heart & I love Max , I've only had him for 3 days but I am already so attached to him . I have to make this work. I know it is gonna to take time & alot of work & I will do whatever it takes to make Brandi accept Max. When I took Max to the vet tonight, I told him what happened & he said it will take a couple of weeks for Brandi to get used to him, he said for me to put Brandi on a leash & for Tommy to hold Max & when Brandi is wagging her tail & being good to reward her with a treat so she knows that this is the correct behavior.
Of course I would also love your suggestions,the advice you have given so far is working, when Max is in the crate Brandi will go right up to him nose to nose , Wagging her tail & when Tommy was holding Max she was right near him & she was Ok but when it's the 2 of them on the floor in the same room , it's a no-no.
Do you think she will accept him in time? Any suggeations are appreciated like I said I will do whatever it takes to make this work.Thanks...................
P.s. How do you paper train, I forgot it's been so long.