Dogs

[Flip]

I have one dog now, and for a while I've been toying with the idea of adopting a second dog. My dog (chow shepherd mix) is seriously my best friend and sometimes I wonder if it would be right for me to bring another dog into the "pack". She's about 6 give or take and and was about 8 months when I adopted her from the wake county spca. She's very well socialized but wants to be the alpha female when around other dogs. She sleeps with a kitten at night and loves other dogs especially puppies because they love to play and there is very little threatening about a puppy to her anyways. I grew up around shepherd/herding dogs and have no concern of behavior or training as they have always been my responsibility. My biggest concern is upsetting my bond with Onyx (current dog). The two attached pictures are of Onyx and Diego is the rescue dog that has me thinking a second dog would not only be good for me but Onyx as well.

 

[RoverLee]

Dogs look nice and all but to me they are permanent babies

 

[FIVESPDDISCO]

Dogs look nice and all but to me they are permanent babies

How dare you !

 

[LRflip]

Ive had my GSD Rusher for a little over 2 years now. Late last year, I picked up another stray GSD and tried to bring him in and let them start to bond. Both male, both intact. The new dog I brought in loved attention and had no table manners...Rusher hated that and they fought until I removed the new dog from my house. It was heart breaking for me. I don't think that it would be that bad between a male/female. But, I wouldn't recommend it with a male/male. Just my 2cents.

 

[flyfisher11]

Go for it. We adopted a rescue dog this summer to hang with our golden "Gentleman Jack". Her name is Juno and she has been a blessing. She's a border/Corgi mix.

Cheers,

Mike

 

[ArmyRover]

We have two dogs. The first one we got Scout is a chow/husky mix. A wonderful loving friendly dog as long as she sees no aggression towards my family. Very protective puppy. When she was two we got Bailey our Walker Coon Hound, also a very friendly loving dog.

Scout exhibts the Alpha female traits to the extreme. If she see's anything that Bailey does as misbehavior a beat down follows. For the most part it's controllable, until recently. Bailey has decided she needed to fight back and lost a piece of her ear before I could pull them apart.

Scout is friendly with all other dogs and people and only exhibits this behavior in regards to her house mate Bailey.

If I had it to do over again Scout would be our only puppy.

 

[Flip]

I'm really leaning towards trying to adopt him tomorrow, my biggest concern is training a puppy on my current work schedule. At one point and time I used to take Onyx to work every day but through 4 GM's and a change in ownership things aren't quite the same. IF I could convince them to let me take the pup to work I think I really would pick him up tomorrow.

 

[Andrew Homan]

Do it!!!!! You won't regret it.

 

[Ed Cheung]

They should be fine, they might fight a little at the beginning, but will sort things out among themselves. I used to have 2 golden, one is gone now 2 yrs ago, then other one adopted when she a 2 yrs old and now she is 9. Last April, I adopted a Husky, he is 85lbs and the golden don't seems to be very comfortable with him, properly his size. Then pick a few fights once in a while, and she lost a major battle few months ago and now I don't see them fighting anymore.

 

[DiscoJen]

Dogs are pack animals so I don't think Onyx will be too upset. And it sounds like you are more than doggie-capable to handle the challenge of a 2 dog (and kitten) household. It's a good feeling to be a part of saving another life, and I can't imagine my life without my many furry friends. Plus a second dog will help lower your heating bills...endless snuggle possibilities.

 

[Blueboy]

My biggest concern is upsetting my bond with Onyx (current dog).

yes, this will change as with a new member in the pack you will have to share your time.

why do you want another dog?

especially as it has only been the 2 of you till now.


Jaime

 

[Blueboy]

Then pick a few fights once in a while, and she lost a major battle few months ago and now I don't see them fighting anymore.

you have a problem in your pack.

again, why did you want another dog??


Jaime

 

[Flip]

I dont really know what sparked the idea but I have a tremendous amount of free time at work and regularly look at the rescue sites and the available animals. Up until two days ago I had never felt the need to see them in person and when Diego's picture popped up I went by (monday) but they had changed hours and were not open. So Tuesday is my day off and I was riding around doing errands and just kind of ended up at the shelter. Well something just clicked but I brushed it off as he's a puppy and cute and any puppy could have that effect on me. Then I told my g/f o btw I went to the spca today... "no you didn't we have to go back I want to see him!" so we went back and that was the icing on the cake I think. I know things will change but I would hope for the better. My hopes and goals would basically be to give her someone other than my g/f's kitten and dog (her dog is very human oriented) to bond with. She loves the companionship of other animals and I work alot so it seems like a good solution.

 

[Ed Cheung]

you have a problem in your pack.

again, why did you want another dog??


Jaime

Yeah, the female golden is a bit of a problem, she don't like dogs that are her size or larger than her. She even pick a fight with 3 street dogs that are her size. I try to get her to play with others but haven't success, she just like to be with human. She did get along with the other golden (gone), but the new Husky also try to play with her but she just walk away. Anyway I can change that?
I got the Husky because I don't want to have just the golden by herself at home while I am at work.

 

[lynchee]

I am going through the same thing. I think that if you have the time and are putting this much thought into what is good for the dog, then you will be OK. Lots of people get dogs 'because they want them' and never think about the time that they(the dogs) will need.

Good luck with the now dog

 

[Street]

Get him if you really think you have the time to make everyday of the dog's life fun and enjoyable. I've had my German Shepherd since October and couldn't be happier. Can't believe I got a purebred, and papered German Shepherd like him for $20.

Even if I am taking him out to the park at night when it's 15 degrees outside and the winds blowing 20+ MPH just so he can play with his basketball.

 

[bmohan55]

It will change things between you and your current dog and double the mess in the house but it will be worth it, kinda like raising kids!