Advice on new household addition please!

[bk_blue]

OK OK, now I know I have said previously that I wouldn't be looking at getting another pet anytime soon... but things have changed here for me, for the better, sooo... I have found a lovely girl. She's a 5yo black and tan Dobermann called Roxy, desexed, the owners have her full history (which I had a good look at today and will also call their vet tomorrow), vacc till January. She is very placid (not much of a watchdog apparently) and good with other dogs (they also have a Boxer). She was lovely to me today, extremely friendly (more so than my own dog LOL). The owner is giving her up as she's just had a baby and doesn't have time to exercise her anymore and wants to make sure she gets the attention she needs, also can't take both the dogs and a pram out at the same time. She's been obedience trained as well. Both the dogs looked really healthy- shiny coat, nice weight, friendly, had sun and shade and kennels and lots of water, obviously they are being cared for. They've had a few enquiries about her but so far I'm the only one they have "approved of". Anyway we've arranged to meet at the park on Sunday so she can meet BK and decide whether she likes him (I know he will like her!), see how they go together for a few hours. I've almost made up my mind that I'd love to have her but it depends on how it goes. I have ummed and ahhhed about getting another dog for about a year now- 2 dogs aren't much more trouble than one, both of them will like the company, and both my parents have given consent to take her with me if I have to move home again so I don't have to worry about where she will live if I have to leave my current house. I am just worried about introducing her and BK to each other at home, not only will she be sad about leaving her home but she will have to deal with Blitz :drinking: :D Neither of them have crates but I can put them in different rooms (I don't really want to leave them alone together for at least a few weeks). Does anyone have any tips on settling in a new dog? I've read stuff over the net and have previous experience with moving BK and Rinny into the same household (though they knew each other for a year prior), but if anyone has stories for me or advice (good and bad, all is welcome) I would love to hear it. Thanks guys... :)

[Carolk9s]

Sounds like a promising situation! How old is BK again? She will probably lay down the law to him. When I decided to bring Brittany home, she was just an 8 month old, if anything I thought Jesse might be rough on her. Ha! She thoroughly whipped his butt for about 4 days, just rough play mind you, he would run to me! I finally got his message and told him it was ok for him to kick her tail now and then. Heck she taught him how to fight dirty and that he'd better keep his legs tucked under him or she'd bite them! Letting the dogs meet at a neutral place is great, if there is a fenced dog park where they can run loose together would be even better. Hope it works out for you and BK and the 'new girl'.

[mouseatthebusstop]

:) she sounds nice. I have only introduced puppies to an older dog each time it went alright. Alice was about 4 months old Poppy 6 years then later Paddy and Gladis 11 weeks Poppy 11 years each time went well.
As you said don't leave them alone untill you are sure they are friends :)

[bk_blue]

Carol, BK is 7 and has been top dog for the last 3-4 years, before that Rinny was top dog over him. Roxy is top dog at her house too, though I am hoping everything goes ok. BK is pretty dominant but usually doesn't try anything on the females, it's the boys he likes :roll: He will probably try and boss her round though I've been saying for ages he needs a strong woman! I also wanted a Dalmatian or a Dobe and I know that male Dobes usually do not get along with other males (this is from the DPCA FAQ and also from my own experience with Scott's Dobe Fred, though there are probably numerous exceptions). The health issues associated with Dobes kind of scare me, but most dogs mutt or purebred will have some sort of health problems as they get older and both our purebred dogs (cocker and basset) were very healthy up until the end. We will be meeting at the park where you can have the dogs off lead, so I am crossing my fingers hoping everything is going to go well!

[Rowie-the-Pooh]

Gooood Luck BK!!!! :D Hope all goes well! :D

Gees, Bk, your dog is sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo handsom! I can't get my eyes off him(have been looking at piccies!) :D

[bk_blue]

Oh thanks Rowie :D

You can have him if you want LOL, I can do you a special deal :lol:

[eggrolyn1223]

Tell us how everyhting goes!!!
If it's not too late.. :-?

[Carolk9s]

BK is one handsome dude, hope all goes well at the first meeting betweem him and the Dobie gal.

[Smooshie]

Best of luck with the new addition! Hope all goes well with the introductions...she sounds like a wonderful dog :D

[Bensam]

Good luck with the meeting - it's harder to cope with these things with your dogs than with your kids, at least the kids tell you what they feel, easier than trying to read 'doggy body language'. Altho dogs are sure easier as teenagers :roll:

[Shannon_C]

As much has i hate saying this but why do people have dogs if there just going to give them up because they are having a baby, they should think about that before making that decision of having a dog in there life that will live upto 10 to 12 years old or longer (Its a big commitement)
but anyway im glad that Roxy as found a permanent home where she can live out her days being happy with you, it will feel strange to her at first being in a different house and so therefore she will probably need time to settle in, keeping both dogs in a seperate room is ideal....they will need time to get to know each other but i also think it would be wise to get a crate for her to get used too, (something she can call her own with some toys when your not there) obviously moving from one house to another she will be needing your company to make her feel more comfortable in her new surroundings as it can be quite stressful for some dogs but saying that Roxy might be different :) hope so!
I hope you understand what i am saying, trying to make it as easy has possible for both of you.

GOOD LUCK!

I have ummed and aard about having another dog, a Bullmastiff
but i have to wait as i already have three dogs and my hubby wouldnt like it if i had half a dozen Bullies running round the house lol.
Well when that time comes i am going to have a rescued one, possibly a female and maybe get a male Bullmastiff puppy later from a breeder......whatever happens i want to make it has easy has possible when introducing both of them so i might get the pup first, but who knows. That won't be for a while yet, we need a bigger house :(

[bk_blue]

Thanks Shannon :) I know what you mean, but at least I get to benefit from it all in the end! I'm not about to pry into their private life to find out why they had a baby if they had dogs who needed lots of attention and exercise, if it was planned or not yadda yadda, but I look at it like this: they are the ones missing out and I am the one hopefully gaining a great dog in the process :wink: just hoping it all goes smoothly tomorrow.

[Guest Anonymous]

I`ve done this many times over the years, and it can be a delicate situation, but I`ve always managed to make it work out!

What you have to remember first of all is that all animals can smell/sense your emotions...If you are overly excited, or nervous they`ll sense that, and react accordingly. Stay as calm, and relaxed as you can !
Even if they begin to "excersise" their authority over one other, don`t panic, or over react ! It`s absolutely normal for one,or both of them to try and establish dominance , and if you, the pack leader, stays calm, more often than not it stays as no more than flexing a little muscle.

Introducing dogs while on leashes can also lead to agression...They feel trapped. I know it`s a leap of faith, but try to introduce them off the leash.

Then there`s feeding time, and their bowls. When you bring the new dog home for the first time, take the food bowl away. That`ll probably be a hot spot for arguments. For the first while be sure you put down your present dogs bowl first...This is in respect of his place in the hyarchy, and won`t put him in a position where he feels he has to prove his dominance again. Do the same thing with the toys.

Most of all, be sure you spread the love evenly, and offer lots of it, but be firm as well. A loud sharp bang when tensions build usually does the trick.

I`m not sre about you locking them in separate rooms for the first couple of weeks. Bring the new dog home say on Saturday morning so you`ll have two full days with them...after than they should be settled more or less, and be fine to leave alone. (Fingers crossed!) Of course you`ll have to be your own judge on this one after seeing how it goes.

I hope this helps! And, if all goes well...Congratulations on the new addition ! She`s a lucky dog !

Annie
http://angusandphil.tripod.com

[Guest Anonymous]

K, that photo is absolutely priceless! I`ve got albums full of pics just like that one, and I treasure every one, and every moment they remind me of. Dogs are for life....Having a second child is difficult too, but do you put the first born up for adoption to make life easier !?! Then again, the new mom is doing her very best to assure that she finds her a good home...Unfortunately, that`s not always the case.

Annie

[Shannon_C]

K absolutely beautiful, who gets to have the bone first (in the background) ? :D


bk as you know leaving both dogs in the same room together would simply be looking for trouble, they need time to get to know each other while your at home with them....the bond won't happen in a day. As i mentioned both dogs having there own rooms at night and when no-one is home is the best option as you never know what could happen when two dogs meet for the first time.
Maybe putting Roxy's crate in a room that you use most would be benificial as both dogs would be able to see and sniff each other without any harm done...she shouldn't be left in there all the time, this is simply a way of making it easy for you instead of struggling with both dogs on leashes which as Anne said is not reccommended as it causes aggression.
You could try muzzling them both to see how they react towards each other (i know it might sound cruel) but it will prevent any biting and saving your hands if there was a fight. MUZZLES do have to be used properly though and not left on too long.
I dont have to tell you about giving your first dog more attention, you already know :wink:
If there are any problems between them say (NO) in a firm voice.
Does your other dog have the run of the house ?
What i do at all feeding times is give each there meal and call the eldest first, then the second and so on, they know they have to sit and wait before i tell them to eat which as worked wonders....i never allow them to just dive in and gobble the lot.

Apart from the muzzling, (as they have all been bought up from pups) mine have been bought up this way! :D

[Smooshie]

K that is the sweetest pic!. I couldn't imagine my son growing up without a dog to snuggle and play with....My little guy and Loki are practically inseparable :D

Oh BK!...its Saturday!!! are you all set for the big meeting tomorrow?? :D

[bk_blue]

Great picture K!! :D

Thanks guys for all your advice. Unfortunately it's not going to happen... I got a phone call as I was at obedience, the uncle of the owner has finally agreed (at the last minute :-? ) to take Roxy. Maybe it's for the best, he has lots of land for her to run around on and they will still get to see her. It was kind of strange as I got an SMS only this morning to confirm if our meeting was still on. Oh well, what can you do...? I will however keep all this in mind as I tentatively search for another dog... :(

[Bensam]

As you say, probably for the best, but to get so close, it's very disappointing for you. :cry: Who knows, if it is a last minute decission by the uncle you may get another call later if it doesn't work out. Then again there might even be a better one for you waiting in the future.
Whatever will be, will be!! I've been waiting all morning for an email from Dogo, now I can go do some work. :)

[Carolk9s]

[quote name='K']Not really related but just wanted to point out that people who don't keep thier dog with their baby miss out on great photos like this one!



OHMYGAWD! K! I thought we knew you! The absolute horror! Proof positive of the vicious killer SAINTS! Gobbling that childs face right off! Oh, or is it the innocent looking blond chewing the saints face off? Maybe I'm looking at this wrong. Don't let yer young dogs see this, it's just too too raw! 8)

OK, really now I just love it! Very cute, bet nobody bothers that kid when her cuddle bear, um..protector is around.

[Carolk9s]

[quote name='K']Not really related but just wanted to point out that people who don't keep thier dog with their baby miss out on great photos like this one!



OHMYGAWD! K! I thought we knew you! The absolute horror! Proof positive of the vicious killer SAINTS! Gobbling that childs face right off! Oh, or is it the innocent looking blond chewing the saints face off? Maybe I'm looking at this wrong. Don't let yer young dogs see this, it's just too too raw! 8)

OK, really now I just love it! Very cute, bet nobody bothers that kid when her cuddle bear, um..protector is around.

[Guest Anonymous]

bk_blue napisał(a):

I have found a lovely girl. She's a 5yo black and tan Dobermann called Roxy, desexed, the owners have her full history (which I had a good look at today and will also call their vet tomorrow), vacc till January.

Oh hey, welcome to the wonderful world of Dobermans! <VBG> Poor little girl, to have her family decide that she suddenly didn't fit into her life. As you said, their loss is your gain.....her's also!

Introducing adult Dobes. Hmmm, I haven't done that too much. Mason was a pup when he came into our household. Whitney has been introduced to many other Dobes but, she's also a very experienced therapy dog and used to meeting and working with a wide variety of dog partners so her reactiona aren't really the norm.

The best way to introduce them would be if you could find some fenced "neutral" territory. Not your yard.....nothing that either dog would feel the least bit protective about. Yes, it would be best to do this offlead but, if you can't find a fenced neutral area, I'd sacrifice the offlead to use neutral territory.

I don't know if you have crates but, if you do I would feed in the crates for a while until the dogs were accustomed to living together.

[Guest roo]

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[Hobbit]

K - is that your little blonde headed baby girl? She's a doll.

[Guest Anonymous]

Well, BK, I believe that everything happens for a reason. I just hope you are not too sad for not having her.

K....I LOVE those pix...especially Bobbi and baby....... :wink:

[corgilady]

Helllllloooooo can't anyone see? No child sleeps that much....obviously the KILLER DOGS have shaken her to death....somebody call child protective services :lol:

K those are GREAT PICS.... you need to have them put on a magazine cover or something.