multiple dogs

[cowdog]

Hi all,
I guess this question would be for those who own multiple pets. I have been seriously contemplating bringing another pet (dog) aboard. Ky (my current pooch) is a very loyal, and extremely well behaved dog, she is very attached to me as I am to her. Most ppl I talk to tell me if I do bring another on, that this would change ky, like not minding me as well, and she would feel somewhat betrayed, maybe become jealous of the new addition.
what do you guys think???

[Ritz459]

It all depends on Ky herself. When I brought home my new pup, my two older dogs didn't stop minding me as well, didn't love me any less, and didn't feel betrayed. Rose gave me a "What in the heck is this thing doing on my property?" look, but she got over it.

My two older dogs, Blackie and Rose, are 12 and 9 and they had been the "only" dogs for their whole lives. They are also butt heads around other dogs.

While Blackie and Rose only tolorate Chloe, it didn't dampen my relationship with them at all. Rose and Chloe get into spats at times over toys and such but they aren't too severe and I don't let them around each other unsupervised.
If Ky is the kind of dog that loves to play with other dogs and enjoys romping with buddies, it shouldn't be a problem. While there might be a few snags, they should be able to be worked out. Let Ky meet any potential new housemate and make sure she is okay with the new dog first before bringing it home.

[cowdog]

thx ritz, Ky absolutely loves other dogs, thats the main reason I'm thinking so seriously of getting another, I guess my main concern would be of her picking up any bad habits the new one might have. ky doesnt really have any bad habits, I am lucky there i know, she was a diamond in the ruff. But I guess that would be more on me as far as training the new one "parenting" if you will.
do you see any pros, and cons, as far as teaming her up with another female, or male. Ky is fixed, and the other would be also, beings I would get him or her from a rescue facility..

[Doglover1988]

Well the best pair is a male/female pair. Females tend to get into spats a lot. (I say this even though I have 4 female dogs) If you want another female the best thing to do is get it as a puppy so that they bond better. Getting a male though, they are more likely to get along. I would let them meet too before bringing a new dog home though just to make sure they get along.

[cowdog]

do you think females still get into their little spats as much when their both fixed, I've always heard that it mellows them a-bit. The only con I have with the male, female thing, is exactly that...boys will be boys, and the horn dog issue always comes into play lol!! She does get angry when other males she is around try to mount her.

[Doglover1988]

Well all of mine are fixed. My dog Lucy probably matches your dog the best in personality (they both have aussie in them) She gets along very well with all the other dogs they constantly play ect..Another one of my dogs Maggie will start a spat if one of the dogs accidently steps on her. Really it depends on the dog but if your dog is very friendly and the other female you bring in is very friendly it should be no problem! Like I said I have four females and hardly any spats at all. Some may think i'm crazy though. lol

[calgal]

I have three females and not a single squabble. I don't think it really matters what sex you have or even the breed. If there are any problems, it can be worked out. Your the alpha, not them.

[cowdog]

Originally Posted by calgal

I have three females and not a single squabble. I don't think it really matters what sex you have or even the breed. If there are any problems, it can be worked out. Your the alpha, not them.

i am the alpha lol!!!

ok im sold new addition coming soon

[Doglover1988]

Yay! You must post pictures. Make sure though to let them meet on neutral territory. I couldn't imagine just having one dog now that I have had multiple dogs. They really do keep each other company and keep each other happy when I can't be there for them. Good luck!

[cowdog]

Originally Posted by Doglover1988

Yay! You must post pictures. Make sure though to let them meet on neutral territory. I couldn't imagine just having one dog now that I have had multiple dogs. They really do keep each other company and keep each other happy when I can't be there for them. Good luck!

the rescue shelter has an area where they allow you to meet n greet with your other pets, they have a couple of cattle dogs comin in this weekend, so we'll see (fingers crossed)

[Jamila]

How exciting.
I have three dogs and two are females and one is a male. I had Fallon (from a pup) for about two years before I got Talena. Talena was a pup when I brought her into the family. Fallon showed she was the boss of Talena but Talena doesn't mind one bit. Ultimately I'm the head honcho. When I rescued my Male Lucky (3 years ago next month) he was near 2 years old and intact...YIKES! I fixed my girls right then and there and just recently got Lucky where he was able to be fixed (he's been sick, long story). I have had no problems with them getting along. I think as long as you and your dog pick out the new edition everything will work out fine. Oh and as far as picking up bad behaviors....I have had the opposite happen. Mine like to try and out do each other on the good behaviors. One sees it and the other has to do it too.
Don't forget we like pictures

[Swiftwind]

I have two dogs, a male and a female. Before we got Abby, we had another pup (a male), and Harley got on like a house on fire with him. When our pup passed away we got Abby, and Harley has always been a bit grumpy towards her, but we know deep down they are like loving siblings. So, they way two dogs interact with each other really depends on both of the dogs' personalities and circumstances (eg a neglected dog is more likely to be either super submissive or very aggressive).

I'm sure your new addition will be a positive thing, though, and I can't wait until you post some pictures up.

[Ritz459]

I have two females and a male, and honestly my two females have gotten into "fights" at least three different times (once when I couldn't call off the older female and actually had to physically seperate the two). Chloe hasn't gotten into a fight with Blackie yet, although I have to make sure food is non existent when they are around each other.
A couple of years ago when my trio consisted of Blackie, Rose, and a neighbors female Malamute, it was again the two females that would get into squabbles. Blackie and the Mal got along wonderfully and never fought (except over food).

All in all, I think it really boils down to dominant and submissiveness. Blackie and Loupie were both dominant dogs, but since they were of opposite sex they got along okay. In Rose and Chloe's relationship Rose thinks she is dominant, but Chloe also thinks she is and there is a lot of posturing and things that would be fights if Rose didn't have such a good recall.

Good luck picking out a new addition! It really is loads of fun.

Oh, and Chloe is full of bad behaviors. LOL Blackie and Rose haven't picked up on any of them because they've been well trained. I just wish Chloe would pick up on their GOOD behaviors, but alas, it is not so.

[Sentry]

We've always had multipal dogs and they all got along. I just reinfoced the older dogs possition. Feed them first, treat them first and the other dogs just fell in line. We have a chihuahua,JRT, a two year old mastiff and a 4 monbth old mastiff pup...3 males 1 female in that order too. Our mastiff that is 2was unsure of the pup and we just gave them thier space and in a month, they now get along way too well,LOL what a wrecking crew running through the house,LOL Can't wait to see the next addition!!! Good Luck!

[Punkygirl0101]

I don't know whats its like to not have more than one dog, I have always had more than one dog.

But we do sometimes have issues with our female, mainly Charlotte..>She gets jealous of Lucy. I am working on it (My mother is making it worst by holding Charlotte and baby talking her WHILE she is growling at Lucy.). Its her I need to train!!! They have gotten in their share of fights, but nothing serious. Other than that, I don;t have any aggression issues with my dogs, and there are 11 of them!