Multiple Dog Owners?

UnknownDreamland · September 2008

Hey ya'll. As I know a few of you know, I'm going through a real rough time right now.. And as even more of you know.. I was trying to persuade my parents to adopt another dog. I'm going to brush over my issues real fast. I'll me happy to go into slightly better detail with close friends. But as this is a bit personal, health wise, it's not something I want to share with the world, ya know? Anyway.. I haven't been the best lately and the doctors and our family's counselor are concerned.. about me. But anyway.. My mom brought this up today, and I wanted to throw this at you guys. My mom was saying that she was thinking about the discussion due to be had in December.. About a second dog. The main issue regarding Bella was, and is her nervousness with other dogs. As you know, she's been attacking four times, by five dogs(once two dogs went after her). But what I noticed with her when she met my aunt's puppy(6 months old or so), was Bella was not nearly as guarded as she'd been as she was with the other adult dogs she's met. And this puppy wasn't puny. She had some APBT in her, and Bella has been attacked by three of these dogs. So.. What that tells me, is that Bella is a bit more accepting to the "younger" crowd. as long as their not jumping over her first time they meet(Sam, my aunt's dogger, was trying to jump around Bell as soon as she saw her. Bella was freaked at first, cooled down a bit, then Sam spooked her and Bella started baring her teeth, so we backed off). Result: Bella is more accepting to the puppy-like dogs. Also pointing to our thought that she has been bred before. Bella also loves our cats. I mean loves them. She tries to groom our most tolerant of the four. But.. the kitty doesn't seem to want that. Haha. =] Bella does not seem as fearful of dogs smaller than her either... I'm just curious to hear from multiple dog owners about pros and cons of owning multiple dogs. My mom can't think of any pros. I can think of quite a few. But my mom also said, she can't think of as many cons to a second dog, as getting a first dog. If that makes sense. Meaning, yes, extra cost for food, etc. But the "going away on a whim" is already a bit of an issue. Hah. So a second dog wouldn't completely affect that. Stuff like that. I know about extra costs, etc. By all means mention them though. =] Anything you maybe didn't think of before getting another dog or something.. So I just wanted some input from experienced people. And to let you know, that any "getting a dog" stuff, wouldn't be for months. I was just trying get some ideas.

BuffyBoarding · September 2008

Well i have 3... two live at my house and then one at my grandfathers... We have had my oldest (about 12) since he was a pup and have owned quite a few pups in the time we've had him... He's always accepted the pups but not older dogs. He's also been attacked by dogs that were bigger than him so he doesnt seem scared of smaller dogs. We got my brother a pup that we have now and they get along great (shelter mutt) See we're gone during the days for school and work so its nice for him to have some company while we're gone... If i were you and it was okay with your parents i would try to get something like a terrier breed so that maybe bella would have a pup to play with that she isnt scared of attacking her.

SummerMoon · September 2008

You probably know that we have now 15 dogs....

I would highly recommend, if it does happen, getting a male dog. Most of our dogs have grown up with each other, but more than one of the same gender in a single household, especially between males (neutered or non neutered), tends to raise territorial problems. A male and a female balances out the problem

Also, even if she wasn't nervous around other dogs, I would say get a puppy. And it's not necessarily the breed you get, its more the dog itself. Every dog is going to be different, no matter what breed it is. Uhmm...I think thats all I was going to say. xD If you need anymore let me know.

Zagari Wolf · September 2008

I agree with Moonlight. If you already have a female, get a male. Male/male and female/female tend to not work out the best. A lot of fights break out. It seems that your dog is a very submissive dog. I'd look around and try to get another dog with about the same temperment. I have two dogs. One male and one female. I never leave my dogs alone together. I don't trust them not to fight. Make sure you keep them crated when not home with them, at bet time, etc. Good luck with every thing, Dreamy!

UnknownDreamland · September 2008

If it worked out to get another dog, I'd crate said dog if not under supervision. No worries there. Thank you everyone. =] What are Pros/cons to having more than one dog?

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Multiple Dog Owners?

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