Bringing home another puppy...

[Ckimba99]

Hey guys,

So, I currently have my little guy Rosco, he's 6 months old, love him to death... But I've recently been thinking, I want another puppy...

Thing is, I'm currently in Orlando, FL... Was going to school here, but I finished that and now I'm going to be moving to Seattle, (I know, big move) so I don't want to get him here, because that would just be too much for him to handle...

So.. with that said, I'm either thinking about getting a Boxer, German Shephard, or another Rottweiler... either way, male... But, I was curious, are there any guidelines you should follow with this? I've heard so many things about having to get a puppy that's not the alpha so they can mix well, but I just don't know.... Anyways, any information would help.. Thanks!

Corey

[Dieselpup]

You are smart to wait till you move and settle in before getting another little pupper. The move will be a bit stressful for Rosco, and you will probably need to give him lots of reassurance by way of continuing with his normal life--eg. training, walks, etc.

This is what my experience has been regarding acquiring another puppy. Busta, is a very dominant aggressive male (he's settling down well, though). When he was 11 months old, I acquired a White German Shepherd bitch at 9 weeks. I kept the two separated because Busta was too rough with her, and I wanted her to be a competition obedience dog, like Busta.

Raising two puppies--that's what you will be doing--is possible, but I must warn you it isn't easy!!! You will have to divide your time between training and socializing ROsco and your new baby, and you want to make sure that the two dogs recognize YOU as the alpha.

I understand your wanting another puppy. They are just too darn cute, but don't make a hasty decision.

Also, you may be starting a new job, so think about your sleepless nights as your new puppy wakes you up at 1:00am, 3:00am 5:00am to go pee, and Rosco's general restlessness for the first few days/nights.

As it stands now, I'm raising an 8 month old white German Shepherd bitch and a 9 week old White German Shepherd bitch, plus training Busta. I'm preparing the older white shep and Busta for trials in December. I'm a college lecturer and I'm on vacation, so I have the time, but it ain't easy.

Hope this helps

[hokisteph5]

My advice on another puppy would be to wait until Rosco's older, preferable 2+ years old, and I would advise that you go with a female.

Before finding this site, I did some research and it suggested the male/female combo works best when adding a new puppy, but didn't really advocate the age factor. For various reasons (in hindsight, none of them really good), Samson was 8 months old when Gretchen arrived as a puppy.

She started off as my mom's dog, but since I work from home I was able to let her out of her crate during the day. When she was about 5 months old, I became responsible for her care and training. Both have been fairly easy dogs to train, but I still feel that Samson's training suffered, as did Gretchen's because my attention was divided.

I've been alternating their training classes as refreshers since they both passed their CGC tests, I've been maintaining the NILIF approach, and love them even more now that they're both pretty much through the teenage phase. Samson turned 2 around late April/early May of this year and Gretchen will be 2 on 11/4.

Can raising 2 puppies be done? Of course, but you also have to look at the quality of how they'll be raised. When it comes to raising two males or females close in age together, do a search of the forums and you'll get a lot of real world anecdotes of the issues that can arise.

[AngelBunny]

Exactly why do you want another puppy?

You already have one.

Getting another puppy isn't a good idea (it's hard enough to successfully socialize and train one Rottie puppy, never mind two), but you won't have any problems finding someone to sell you a puppy of any breed you mentioned.

But, you don't want a puppy from such people.

Why?

Because good, COE, responsible breeders won't sell you one of their puppies because you already have a puppy. Good breeders put their hearts and souls into their dogs. They want responsible homes for their puppies. The way you'll prove yourself responsible is to do a stellar job with the Rottie you already have.

Your reality is the only "breeder" who will sell you a puppy, given your circumstances, are of the BYB vareity.

I've had Rotties as my only breed of dog since 1984. I'd no sooner get two puppies at the same time than I'd think of flying to the moon. The amount of work required to successfully raise this slow maturing breed into a good canine citizen is enormous.

And, since you have a male, your puppy really won't be mature, mentally and physically, til he's about 3 yo.

[keller27]

I would also check with the breed bans up there in Washington State. Maybe there is something here on the dissussion forum on Wa. Hate for you to find a place and then find out that you are not allowed to have your Rottie.

[Shelby427]

I would wait a few years until getting another puppy. It's very difficult to train and socialize two at the same time. Please take the advice given. You don't want to kick yourself later when they are driving you crazy and have no manners.

[jlaack]

I hope you have decided AGAINST another puppy for a long, long time. Also, Seattle is a fine place for Rotts and Pits. PAWS is VERY active there as is another group opposed to BSL. We lived there for a while.

[RiggersMum]

Hi there:

My bf and I just got a new puppy - Rottie cross - and we also have a 1 year old Lab. It is VERY hard. We totally forgot how much work it actually was to train a puppy. Not to mention the fact that both dogs want and need your attention. Not to mention that the Lab is acting up because he is trying to figure out what the heck is going on.

[debbiej]

I've been away a while. checked "new posts" and the first two are by Ckimba99....
one with subject of aggression getting worse, second about getting new puppy.
HUH???

[rottcrazed]

Just looking at this too - scary situation. I would LOVE an update.

Kristi

[NEED OF ADVICE]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO please dont get another dog u cant handle 1

[jlaack]

Sorry I think I "re-opened" the thread! I just wanted to make sure that a new addition wasn't/isn't still in the hopper!!!