For those of you with more than one dog

[Chinchilla_Girl]

Oh and when I get my Newfie...She'll go with me to work and be crated when I'm not home until she's old enough to stay out of trouble

[Denise]

Mandie, good to see you girl! I am so glad you responded to my thread. I was hoping you would. I appreciate all the advice given so far. I got some responses on the Pit Bull forum I belong to and one individual said owning two dogs goes beyond the extra care and expense. This person said I need to have 1 on 1 time with each dog separately otherwise the two dogs will get bonded with one another and I will lose my "alpha" role.

[Chrisanne]

Everyone has their own opinions of course.. but I think s/he's full of bull.

I have 4 dogs, and I guarantee you I don't have one on one time with each of them each day. They do get one on one, just not from me. There is NO mistaking who the alpha is in my house. It's ME.

[Spiritus]

Getting two puppies at the same time can be difficult in this way. Raising a puppy is a lot of work. Raising TWO puppies is like have four toddlers in the house. It is very difficult to raise two puppies at the same time and give them the individual attention they need. It is very easy for two puppies to bond to each other over the people in the house, because a lot of times, the people are TIRED and just let the puppies exercise and entertain each other But getting a second dog should not be a problem if the original dog is an adult, and already knows the rules and the fact that you are the leader . I have four Belgians, and yes, they all get their one on one time with me every day...

As for upsetting the alpha position? I think that "alpha" is used way too often, and more often than not, inappropriately. My dogs listen to me because I am their LEADER, and I show that to them by my actions and my expectations on a day to day basis. There is a difference between dominating and leading. I choose to lead, where-as I see the "alpha" mentality is more of a dominating mentality.

[Chinchilla_Girl]

Quote: Originally Posted by Denise I got some responses on the Pit Bull forum I belong to and one individual said owning two dogs goes beyond the extra care and expense. This person said I need to have 1 on 1 time with each dog separately otherwise the two dogs will get bonded with one another and I will lose my "alpha" role.

That is pure B/S! Some of the people on the pitbull forum are more than a little over the top. Kali and Orion don't have that issue and yes, sometimes there is a little jealousy, but as long as I have two hands and not one, there is one for each of them.

[Chrisanne]

Quote: Originally Posted by Spiritus Getting two puppies at the same time can be difficult in this way. Raising a puppy is a lot of work. Raising TWO puppies is like have four toddlers in the house. It is very difficult to raise two puppies at the same time and give them the individual attention they need. It is very easy for two puppies to bond to each other over the people in the house, because a lot of times, the people are TIRED and just let the puppies exercise and entertain each other But getting a second dog should not be a problem if the original dog is an adult, and already knows the rules and the fact that you are the leader . I have four Belgians, and yes, they all get their one on one time with me every day... As for upsetting the alpha position? I think that "alpha" is used way too often, and more often than not, inappropriately. My dogs listen to me because I am their LEADER, and I show that to them by my actions and my expectations on a day to day basis. There is a difference between dominating and leading. I choose to lead, where-as I see the "alpha" mentality is more of a dominating mentality.

I can attest to the raising two puppies at once. While mine are not litter mates, they are still close in age. It can be trying at times, but it isn't all that bad for me. I totally would not recommend doing it to just anyone.

Logan has had time with you Denise. I truly think it will be fine. Of course I would not leave them alone together until you are sure of each of their reactions. Crate training is a blessing for this reason.

I totally agree with the point made in regards to the "alpha" position.

What I'm trying to say is... you will be wonderful Denise. I don't think you have to worry to much. You also know you have us to lean on if you need advice or assistance.

[Scarlette]

I agree that 2 young puppies might bond closer to each other than the human, but that all depends how much time you spend with them. Mirra was 9 months old when I brought Sydnee home. I notice that Sydnee wants to be with Mirra all the time and we've jokingly called her Mirra's little shadow but they know that I'm the alpha, leader, whatever you want to call it. I also try to spend alone time with them whether it's going for a walk, going for a ride in the truck, or just playing with one while the other is napping. It seems to be working just fine but not totally neccesary! I like to spend one on one time with each dog so they feel "special"....it sounds corny, and they probably really don't care one way or the other. Denise, you will figure out what works best for YOU! Don't let people try to say it's impossible.....it IS possible!

[Denise]

Quote: Originally Posted by Chrisanne What I'm trying to say is... you will be wonderful Denise. I don't think you have to worry to much. You also know you have us to lean on if you need advice or assistance.

Chrisanne, that means a lot to me. Rhonda, thanks for your words of wisdom too.

I was looking at dogs that need to be adopted through rescues and found a beautiful brindle female Pit Bull. She is 1 year old, has an excellent personality and is crate trained. We may be looking at her after Christmas. Now that I am thinking about it, I would prefer a dog a year or older for Logan.

[LoveMyStaffies]

Just my opinion based on my experience with Banshee and Shar.......
If I had it to do over again, with Shar's age I would try to either get a very young puppy or a dog closer to her own age. (I mention this only because I cant remember how old Logan is....)
Banshee was approximately a year old when we brought her home from the shelter. We took Shar up there after introducing Banshee to the kids to be sure she was good with them to see how the two of them would get along. They did great at the shelter.
Once we got Banshee home, there was an unforeseen issue......Banshee's energy -far- exceeded what Shar is willing to put up with. And Banshee's larger size (she is 60-65lbs while Shar runs anywhere from 45-50lbs) makes it easy for her to bull Shar over with her arthritis and whatnot that comes along with age.
Shar's temperment doesnt fit her age well, she's still 'top dog' (under 'Mom' of course!! LoL) and she isnt about to let any young 'upstart' take her spot...even if Mom has to intervene when that upstart gets too rowdy! LoL.
Dont get me wrong, I love Banshee and am soooo glad to have her. I just wonder sometimes if I didnt do Shar an injustice by bringing in a 'teenager' on her when she'd be happiest snoozing on the couch without some 'whippersnapper' gnawing on her ear wanting to play.


Here's to a new puppy whichever way you choose though!!

[Denise]

Well, Logan's trainer said to wait until he is completely trained and then we should get another dog. She said Logan needs our undivided attention right now. She said having two dogs may not seem like a lot of work but it is.

We are not going to get the American Bulldog girl. There is a beautiful brindle APBT that needs a home. She is a year old, has an excellent temperament with dogs, crate trained, housebroken, etc. She has a lot of energy and she is only 7 months older than Logan.

I respect my trainer and what she has to say. Of course, it is my decision in the end but now I don't know what to do.

[dappledoxie]

When I'm not home I allow Claire and Rebel to stay loose in my bedroom/dog room. They are together, with a crate in the room where Rebel chooses to spend most of his time. Sometimes, if Rebel is in one of his "moods" where he wants to tear up the door then I'll crate him.

I find that with Claire and Rebel, two dogs work out great, they love me and each other. They play a lot so that helps get them more exercise that adds to the walks and playing with toys that I give them. They are small so health care isn't too costly, the smaller size Frontline and Interceptor is much less expensive for them than larger breeds. They don't eat a whole lot so a large bag of their Chicken Soup for the Dog Lover's Soul lasts quite a while, I wish they had smaller bags. lol

[Millimi]

I know I don't have any dogs or know all that much about them, but you really seem to be doing so much work on researching and finding out the truth about getting another dog, Denise. I'm sure whatever dog you decide to get will have an awesome home with you and Logan.

[HappyDancer]

I have 3 dogs...as I said before ...and even though its not required I do the one one one time...but differently...I take each one for a 20 minute walk, just the 2 of us...every day...I also take them out as a group...I love having my 3 dogs, each one has such a unique personality...they are all best friends, but love me and my family just as much...its triple the amount of fun, love and goofiness lol...We got Ladt when she was 7 weeks old...driving down the street we saw a free puppy sign, and decided to go look, my daughter was 4...we pulled up and 5 little cockers came out the front door, but stopped, Lady ran the whole way, jumped in the car and was ready to go lol so she did then 5 weeks later we got Penny, a mini yorkie...Lady didn't care at all lol, shes just a happy go lucky kind of dog, and Penny was better having a dog to get over her seperation problems with...then my brother got very sick, and his cancer was making it hard on him to take care of puppers so...in came puppers 8 weeks after penny lol...Puppers is 12, we got him when he was 7...so I got them all sort of right after the other, people thought I was crazy, but I wouldn't have changed it for anything...except maybe having had my best friend Petrie stay alive through it all...all 3 helped me so much move on from her death, each one grieved right along with me...so having multiple dogs has been great for me...but my papa who got 2 puppies togather had a very rough time, one is scared of everything and the other is so bold...so the scared one was always getting left out, took alot of work to help her...

I am all for multiple dogs and tons of love

[askmrrio]

I have two dogs One is Rio who is 4 and Nicholas who just turned four. I had RIo since a baby (pup) and Nicholas I got a little less then a year ago. They are real brother but had never met. We had been so scared but as soon as I opened the door and let Nicholas and Rio see each other they literally kissed each other. I do not crate my dogs. Rio has one in the basement we stopped using years ago cause he would never come out it was like his luxury apartment. They do not mess up in the house and when I am gone for long periods we keep wee wee pads down and they use them. We put old towels under them just used for the dogs incase a little runover happens. They rarely use them though but they know they are their. Never had a problem with them going outside (they do hate the rain though) Only problem we ever had was them trying to hump each other when they first got together and vet says its a form of dominanace. They had one fight that we know of what caused it don't know hubby was sleeping on the couch and all heck broke loose. We seperated them and then put them back together a little while later and all has been well since then. They have two distinct personalities though. Rio loves to play with toys and Nicky loves to chew bones. When they opened their presents RIo took all the toys and Nicky took all the bones in his pile. They eat out of the same bowl and water never had a problem they take turns with everything. I am also always home with them unless I go shopping or something but I work mainly from home and they are literally at my side as I speak. I wish you luck. The only con I have is not the cost of a few extra kibble its the vet bills. Nicky fights with Cocker ears all the time and RIo fights severe allergies with his eyes all the time so my exspenses are very high.Depends I think on what dog you get ect..I wish you luck two dogs or more is double the love and cuddles. Good Luck.
AskMrRio