newbie wheaten lover

Sandyham · 01-21-2007, 04:05 PM

Hello everyone - this seems to be a very active group! I am hoping to learn and share a lot of info and stories here.

At the end of July my family lost our beloved 13 year old wheaten terrier, Dunlop. We were devastated, and thought we would wait a few months, then explore the possibility of getting a new puppy. But a situation presented itself to us that we just couldn’t walk away from. On Labour Day we adopted a severely traumatized, terrorized, and brutally abused female wheaten named Bonnie. She had been rescued by a Toronto based rescue group in April from a puppy mill where she was kept in a cage in a barn and forced to breed every 6 months. She was in horrendous physical condition and immediately had to have surgery to remove her left ear canal and eardrum due to a serious infection. The puppy mill owner had had her surgically debarked, so she is unable to make a sound. She is a sweet gentle soul and is very slowly learning that she is in a safe place. The rescue group director told me that she was the most traumatized dog they had ever rescued, so it is a long slow process, and we know that she will never be "normal".

Bonnie does love other dogs, though, and we are planning to bring home a puppy within the next two months. Our dilemma is whether we should get a male or female. The breeder tells us that it is generally agreed that dogs of the opposite sex tend to get along better, but with such a traumatized dog as Bonnie, we wonder whether she would bond more easily with another female. We worry whether a male puppy would turn her right off when he tries to mount her. Of course we would have him neutered, but we remember Dunlop trying to mount everything that moved, and some things that didn't, before he was neutered.

I hope that some of you out there can give me your thoughts about this. I will also repost this to the appropriate forum, if someone could tell me which forum is the most suitable.

I am really looking forward to joining in with everyone in this group, about all subjects regarding our beloved dogs.

Sandy

IceyBlueSibes · 01-21-2007, 04:31 PM

Welcome aboard!

Wow, I'm so very sorry to hear about such a tragic life this poor girl had. She is very lucky to have found you! Bless you for taking her in!

As far as getting a male of female pup... are you buying from a breeder? If so, have you picked out a breeder yet? I would ask the breeder (seeing that they are the most knowledgable about the breed, considering they are a reputable one), and explain your situation.

It is true that male-female dog households tend to click better, but even that can have its bumps if it just doesn't happen to work. Keep in mind that female dogs will mount as well. As far as the mounting situation because of being forced to breed... was she physically held down? Or just the fact that they paired her up with a male every time? You can teach the male puppy that mounting is a no-no, if it comes to that.

But that is JMO. I'd ask the breeder you plan to get a puppy from, and see what they might recommend.

Best of luck! Do you have any pictures to share of your girl?

DogLover8 · 01-21-2007, 04:37 PM

Welcome to Global Paw.

It always sad to lose dog.

I agree with Icey. Some dogs just do not get along despite there gender.

IceyBlueSibes - What is "JMO"?

IceyBlueSibes · 01-21-2007, 04:41 PM

JMO = Just My Opinion

DogLover8 · 01-21-2007, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IceyBlueSibes

JMO = Just My Opinion

Thanks, Icey.

IceyBlueSibes · 01-21-2007, 04:54 PM

You're welcome

Pondwader · 01-21-2007, 05:10 PM

Welcome...
Sorry about your loss....
Wow, that poor girl, it's amazing how they come around once rescued. Slow and steady, but they really do seem to appreciate the better life they are provided with so much.

As far as your new puppy, *most* normal adult dogs naturally accept puppies, however with what your rescue girl went through who knows. As long as she is spayed and the other one is altered when it's old enough I don't really think it matters.
I've heard many say girls don't get along, but I have 3 adult girls and have never had a problem.

TinyAlbinoDancer · 01-21-2007, 06:06 PM

I'm so sorry for your loss of Dunlop. What a long and happy life he had with you!

God bless you for taking in little Bonnie. It isn't every owner that can take on a dog with problems and be patient and loving enough to walk through it with the dog. You must have a heart of gold.

All of our best wishes to you and Bonnie in continuing to work through things.

As far as a puppy, I assume Bonnie has been around puppies or other dogs before? I would expose her to other friendly dogs and see if male behaviors do scare her or if she just blows it off. A puppy or a Wheaten that's smaller of either sex would *probably* do fine with Bonnie because she'll feel able to defend herself adequately, coupled with your training and correction efforts with the other dog. But my suggestion would be to just try her with other dogs you know to be friendly and socialized (and healthy of course).

Welcome, welcome to you and Bonnie!

Looking forward to pictures.

***Rivsky*** · 01-21-2007, 07:56 PM

Welcome to GlobalPaw and I'm sure Bonnie is so grateful that you found her and gave her a good loving home.

I think it depends on the personality of the pup more so than the gender - as Icey suggested speak to the breeder you are looking at getting the pup from and they should be able to help you select a pup that is best for your situation - by the sounds of it probably one that isn't too "in your face" (if you get what I mean!!)

roman · 01-21-2007, 08:42 PM

wow that is sad that you lost your other wheaton and now your new one was truamatized by the puppy mill and such

i have a 6 year old wheaton named max here is a picture:

and i also have a 8 month old maltese -points to avatar-

Crossfire Bulldogs · 01-21-2007, 10:01 PM

Hello and welcome Sandy.

I'm so very sorry to hear of your recent loss but also happy to hear that Bonnie is now with you.

I'm sure more of our members will have their own words of advice but as for me, I really couldn't say whether a male or female would be better for Bonnie, I'm one of those people that would have to really know her true personality as issues personally to be able to decide but I wish you the very best of luck in finding a friend for Bonnie that fits well into her life.

***Swiftwind*** · 01-21-2007, 10:05 PM

Hi Sandy, welcome to Global Paw!

I'm really sorry to hear about your loss, it's never easy losing a pet. I think it's really wonderful that you were able to give an abused dog a chance at having a proper life with loving owners. Good on you!

Shadowkins · 01-22-2007, 01:28 PM

Bless your hearts for taking Bonnie in and offering her a well deserved loving home.

Fuzz Puppy · 01-22-2007, 02:24 PM

Hi! Welcome to GlobalPaw!

I'm really sorry for your loss too, though. Hoipe you enjoy the list and yes it is active.

PawNclaws · 01-22-2007, 06:03 PM

Welcome to GP. That poor, poor thing ; so sad she had to go through that. But she is very lucky to have found you.

01-21-2007, 04:05 PM	#1 (permalink)
Sandyham Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 1 Rep Power: 0	newbie wheaten lover Hello everyone - this seems to be a very active group! I am hoping to learn and share a lot of info and stories here. At the end of July my family lost our beloved 13 year old wheaten terrier, Dunlop. We were devastated, and thought we would wait a few months, then explore the possibility of getting a new puppy. But a situation presented itself to us that we just couldn’t walk away from. On Labour Day we adopted a severely traumatized, terrorized, and brutally abused female wheaten named Bonnie. She had been rescued by a Toronto based rescue group in April from a puppy mill where she was kept in a cage in a barn and forced to breed every 6 months. She was in horrendous physical condition and immediately had to have surgery to remove her left ear canal and eardrum due to a serious infection. The puppy mill owner had had her surgically debarked, so she is unable to make a sound. She is a sweet gentle soul and is very slowly learning that she is in a safe place. The rescue group director told me that she was the most traumatized dog they had ever rescued, so it is a long slow process, and we know that she will never be "normal". Bonnie does love other dogs, though, and we are planning to bring home a puppy within the next two months. Our dilemma is whether we should get a male or female. The breeder tells us that it is generally agreed that dogs of the opposite sex tend to get along better, but with such a traumatized dog as Bonnie, we wonder whether she would bond more easily with another female. We worry whether a male puppy would turn her right off when he tries to mount her. Of course we would have him neutered, but we remember Dunlop trying to mount everything that moved, and some things that didn't, before he was neutered. I hope that some of you out there can give me your thoughts about this. I will also repost this to the appropriate forum, if someone could tell me which forum is the most suitable. I am really looking forward to joining in with everyone in this group, about all subjects regarding our beloved dogs. Sandy
Sandyham Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 1 Rep Power: 0

01-21-2007, 04:31 PM	#2 (permalink)
IceyBlueSibes Eyes = Mirror to the soul Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Jupiter, Fla. Posts: 7,757 Blog Entries: 1 Rep Power: 273	Welcome aboard! Wow, I'm so very sorry to hear about such a tragic life this poor girl had. She is very lucky to have found you! Bless you for taking her in! As far as getting a male of female pup... are you buying from a breeder? If so, have you picked out a breeder yet? I would ask the breeder (seeing that they are the most knowledgable about the breed, considering they are a reputable one), and explain your situation. It is true that male-female dog households tend to click better, but even that can have its bumps if it just doesn't happen to work. Keep in mind that female dogs will mount as well. As far as the mounting situation because of being forced to breed... was she physically held down? Or just the fact that they paired her up with a male every time? You can teach the male puppy that mounting is a no-no, if it comes to that. But that is JMO. I'd ask the breeder you plan to get a puppy from, and see what they might recommend. Best of luck! Do you have any pictures to share of your girl?
	__________________ Sheiba, Denali, Ike, Nitro (Siberian Husky), Kelso (GSD x), Lugar (Boxer/Pit x), Willah (Shepherd/Husky x), Tibby, Cheech, Chong (Chihuahua), and any foster we have in the house! 9 Kitty cats!

01-21-2007, 04:37 PM	#3 (permalink)
DogLover8 Collie owner Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 3,032 Rep Power: 110	Welcome to Global Paw. It always sad to lose dog. I agree with Icey. Some dogs just do not get along despite there gender. IceyBlueSibes - What is "JMO"?
	__________________ -Dave-

01-21-2007, 04:41 PM	#4 (permalink)
IceyBlueSibes Eyes = Mirror to the soul Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Jupiter, Fla. Posts: 7,757 Blog Entries: 1 Rep Power: 273	JMO = Just My Opinion
	__________________ Sheiba, Denali, Ike, Nitro (Siberian Husky), Kelso (GSD x), Lugar (Boxer/Pit x), Willah (Shepherd/Husky x), Tibby, Cheech, Chong (Chihuahua), and any foster we have in the house! 9 Kitty cats!

01-21-2007, 04:54 PM	#6 (permalink)
IceyBlueSibes Eyes = Mirror to the soul Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Jupiter, Fla. Posts: 7,757 Blog Entries: 1 Rep Power: 273	You're welcome
	__________________ Sheiba, Denali, Ike, Nitro (Siberian Husky), Kelso (GSD x), Lugar (Boxer/Pit x), Willah (Shepherd/Husky x), Tibby, Cheech, Chong (Chihuahua), and any foster we have in the house! 9 Kitty cats!

01-21-2007, 05:10 PM	#7 (permalink)
Pondwader Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Ontario, Canda Posts: 335 Rep Power: 81	Welcome... Sorry about your loss.... Wow, that poor girl, it's amazing how they come around once rescued. Slow and steady, but they really do seem to appreciate the better life they are provided with so much. As far as your new puppy, most normal adult dogs naturally accept puppies, however with what your rescue girl went through who knows. As long as she is spayed and the other one is altered when it's old enough I don't really think it matters. I've heard many say girls don't get along, but I have 3 adult girls and have never had a problem.
	__________________ http://www.lakesongoes.com http://www.oes.org

01-21-2007, 06:06 PM	#8 (permalink)
TinyAlbinoDancer Always room for one more Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: CA Posts: 2,580 Rep Power: 166	I'm so sorry for your loss of Dunlop. What a long and happy life he had with you! God bless you for taking in little Bonnie. It isn't every owner that can take on a dog with problems and be patient and loving enough to walk through it with the dog. You must have a heart of gold. All of our best wishes to you and Bonnie in continuing to work through things. As far as a puppy, I assume Bonnie has been around puppies or other dogs before? I would expose her to other friendly dogs and see if male behaviors do scare her or if she just blows it off. A puppy or a Wheaten that's smaller of either sex would probably do fine with Bonnie because she'll feel able to defend herself adequately, coupled with your training and correction efforts with the other dog. But my suggestion would be to just try her with other dogs you know to be friendly and socialized (and healthy of course). Welcome, welcome to you and Bonnie! Looking forward to pictures.
	__________________ ~Karen Missie~Trixie~Little Guy~Ollie

01-21-2007, 07:56 PM	#9 (permalink)
*Rivsky* Super Moderator Super Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: South Australia Posts: 3,793 Blog Entries: 6 Rep Power: 141	Welcome to GlobalPaw and I'm sure Bonnie is so grateful that you found her and gave her a good loving home. I think it depends on the personality of the pup more so than the gender - as Icey suggested speak to the breeder you are looking at getting the pup from and they should be able to help you select a pup that is best for your situation - by the sounds of it probably one that isn't too "in your face" (if you get what I mean!!)
	__________________ As a member of Global paw staff my opinions are not necessarily those of the website or the owner.

01-21-2007, 08:42 PM	#10 (permalink)
roman Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: New York Posts: 1,209 Rep Power: 71	wow that is sad that you lost your other wheaton and now your new one was truamatized by the puppy mill and such i have a 6 year old wheaton named max here is a picture: and i also have a 8 month old maltese -points to avatar-
	__________________

01-21-2007, 10:01 PM	#11 (permalink)
Crossfire Bulldogs Sourmug Mom Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Snuggled Between The Snorts & Snores. Posts: 7,844 Blog Entries: 3 Rep Power: 285	Hello and welcome Sandy. I'm so very sorry to hear of your recent loss but also happy to hear that Bonnie is now with you. I'm sure more of our members will have their own words of advice but as for me, I really couldn't say whether a male or female would be better for Bonnie, I'm one of those people that would have to really know her true personality as issues personally to be able to decide but I wish you the very best of luck in finding a friend for Bonnie that fits well into her life.
	__________________ Get more out of Global Paw. Check out these great features. Global Paw Book Club -- Art Classes -- Woof Review I would rather have a mind opened by wonder than one closed by belief. ~ Gerry Spence As a member of Global paw staff my opinions are not necessarily those of the website or the owner.

01-21-2007, 10:05 PM	#12 (permalink)
*Swiftwind* Believe in Yourself Super Moderator Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: NSW, Australia Posts: 5,784 Blog Entries: 3 Rep Power: 206	Hi Sandy, welcome to Global Paw! I'm really sorry to hear about your loss, it's never easy losing a pet. I think it's really wonderful that you were able to give an abused dog a chance at having a proper life with loving owners. Good on you!
	__________________ Get more out of Global Paw: Art Classes / Blogs / Book Club / Photo Gallery / Woof Review As a member of Global paw staff my opinions are not necessarily those of the website or the owner.

01-22-2007, 01:28 PM	#13 (permalink)
Shadowkins Shadowkins Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Saskatchewan,Canada Posts: 2,726 Rep Power: 129	Bless your hearts for taking Bonnie in and offering her a well deserved loving home.
	__________________

01-22-2007, 02:24 PM	#14 (permalink)
Fuzz Puppy Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 388 Rep Power: 70	Hi! Welcome to GlobalPaw! I'm really sorry for your loss too, though. Hoipe you enjoy the list and yes it is active.
Fuzz Puppy Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 388 Rep Power: 70	__________________ All dogs are loving. They just show it in different ways.

01-22-2007, 06:03 PM	#15 (permalink)
PawNclaws Labrador Crazy Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: North West Posts: 1,930 Blog Entries: 2 Rep Power: 112	Welcome to GP. That poor, poor thing ; so sad she had to go through that. But she is very lucky to have found you.
	__________________

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