Adding another dog.....

My FSIL's sister has a puggle - the pup is about 6 months old and her sister is fed up. The kids want no part of it, her DH works 6-7 days a week and she can't handle it with 3 kids. The youngest just turned a year old and he's all over the place - you can't leave him for a second......

She wants to get rid of it and of course, my heart is breaking and I want to take him before he goes to a shelter. However, my issue is Cosmo. He's 85 pounds and he is 6 years old - he's used to being the only "baby" in the house and isn't ever around other dogs. When he was around my in-laws dog he was a little aggressive (humping, playing, etc).

Should I take the dog for the weekend to see how it goes? If its going to affect Cosmo I won't keep him but I do have to try.......

Any advice/tips????

Re: Adding another dog.....

I would say take the dog for the weekend and see how it goes with the both of them together.

I have two dogs and at first it wasn't easy, because my older dog hated the puppy, but it took about 3 months for them to get adjusted to each other and now they love being around each other.

Re: Adding another dog.....

Definitely try it out. You may be surprised, many dogs like having companions, esp if they used to your children, they can def tolerate babies if you know what I mean.

That is terrible they got this puppy they could not clearly handle. I would definiltey absolutely give it a very good try if I were you. I bet you will be surprised how good your dog reacts. Does your dog generally get along well with other dogs?

Re: Adding another dog.....

True aggression is much more serious than that, Cosmo is probably just establishing a natural pack order. Totally normal dog behavior. Especially when one dog is on the other dog's turf.

The real danger signs are all-out fights, serious and frequent food or toy aggression.

Our 65 pound Lab has played with a 15 pound Pug and they had a great time together. The Pug came to Brinkley's turf and was much smaller so the natural order was that the Pug was submissive - he didn't put up a fight and everything was fine. Just some submissive postures like the Pug on it's back and Brinkley towering over him. No one got hurt, and we're getting them together again.

An entire weekend will give you a chance to see how they react after the initial excitement wears off. Make sure you bring some of the puggle's items like a crate or bed to make it feel more secure especially at night. And some of it's normal food too.

Let us know how it goes, I think you're doing a great thing by considering it! I hope if you don't feel it's a right fit that they can find a good home for it. Poor guy, losing his family.

Re: Adding another dog.....

OMG Lori you are insane but you have a good heart I hope it works out!!

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Definitely try it out! Make sure the first meeting of the dogs is on neutral ground though. Meet somewhere and then bring the dogs in the house simutaneously. Walk them around the block together first and then walk in the house. It will be less threatening to Cosmo that way. Also, if they don't get along on neutral ground, they aren't going to be friends in Cosmo's territory. Good luck!

Re: Adding another dog.....

Do you live close enough that you can introduce them for playtime at all before putting them together for the whole weekend? That way it won't be someone "brand new" for your dog when he comes to stay for a longer amount of time?

A lot of people also say to always introduce two new dogs on neutral territory - a park or somewhere, rather than your home or the IL's, so the dogs will be less territorial/defensive.

When/if you take the dog for the weekend, be prepared to be at home nearby the whole weekend to help facilitate their introduction, break things up if they get too rough with their posturing, give extra love and reassurance to both of them, etc.

And a story: When DH and I got our second puppy, the first one wanted no part of it. She fought with him and was unhappy and wouldn't let him play with any toys, and we actually stayed up the whole first night to keep them separated. It was really bad. I cried over it, thought we'd made a huge mistake. But sure enough, it slowly got better (very slowly... it took a few weeks, and DH had to work from home to monitor them for a while), but they started getting used to each other, tolerating each other, playing together, and eventually ended up the best of friends. It just took a lot of work. I hope things will be MUCH easier for you - I'm telling you this not to worry you, but to illustrate that even in an extreme case that started out horrible like it did for me, you can still have a happy 2-dog family in the end.

Good luck!

Re: Adding another dog.....

I think my Bruno was 6 when we got Vito as a puppy.
Bruno was not interested in Vito for a few months.
Now they play together and sometimes even snuggle.
I feel like Vito gave Bruno a boost of youthful energy to keep up with him.
Good Luck!

Re: Adding another dog.....

I think trying it out would be great! My 4 lb Pom LOVES my parents 65 lb dog whos 7. They get along great an dplay. I love watching them together. Maybe your dog will like it!

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OMG you know what I would say. I definitely think that you should try it out for the weekend to see how it goes. Good Luck!

Re: Adding another dog.....

I hope it works out

Its a great thing you are doing.

Re: Adding another dog.....

My sister in law is looking for a small breed dog, if the person you know really wants to give the puppy away and you choose to not take him/her in, let me know! My sister in law is actively searching right now! Thank you!

ETA ...
I understand your concern by the way. I always wonder how adding another dog will impact my current one. Lola craves constant affection and I am not sure I could divide the affection in half for another one lol BUT my husband and I really want another dog. I am sure if we did get one, Lola would adapt, adjust, and get along great with the new addition. Whatever you decide, I think your family will adjust.

Message edited 12/2/2009 11:36:39 AM.

Re: Adding another dog.....

I think you need more than a weekend to see if they get along. I introducted a new puppy 4 months (at the time about 25 lbs, now 50 @ 7 months) to my 2 year old (12lbs) dog and the older one wanted NOTHING to do with the pup for 2 months. There was no aggression in the begining but there was no bond. Now they LOVE each other.

Re: Adding another dog.....

Thank you all so much for your input!!!

We're going to pick up the pup on Monday. He's a 4 month old puggle who I hear is absolutely adorable. I haven't seen any pics or anything, just a brief history.

We're going to go while the kids are in school so we can come home and take both dogs for a walk aka neutral ground. Cosmo is definitely going to try to make sure the pup knows that this is "his pack" - he's VEEERRRRY protective of Neil and I.

We'll keep him for a week and see how it goes. I know its not a lot of time but if it upsets Cosmo in any way I won't do it. Cosmo is my baby and he's my main concern. Of course Neil and I have already started tossing around names and my mother is ready to commit me

We do want another dog and if we have the chance to give this little guy a home why not. Its the perfect situation and perfect timing. My DH is home for the winter so we'll both be around to train him and do what is needed.

I'm nervous and excited at the same time. I'll definitely take some pics ...... this should be a riot.

Re: Adding another dog.....

The fact that the puggle is still a puppy is a good thing! Adult dogs tend to be more tolerant of puppies, but some cannot stand puppies, so you might consider leaving the puppy separate from Cosmo when you can't supervise them. Just to be safe!

Best of luck! I hope it works out for you guys. That would be so great!

Re: Adding another dog.....