[slvhwke]

Hi Guys, Long-winded post ahead.

As I've posted here before; I have a kelpie chow x puppy that we got from RSPCA. She's 11 months atm - so still a puppy. She's responded well to training but still occasionally regresses. I assume that with age and just keeping up with the training; that will all settle.

She's really coming along especially after we got her the haltie for walking (Thanks all for that advice!)

She is a bit of a sensitive dog however. Not in a fearful "she'll go rogue at snap at us all" kind of way just a bit....anxious. We've been doing the NILF program as we thought it was a alpha dog territorial thing and she was making herself anxious by constantly worrying about 'her' pack. She's improved so much but I think she will always be a bit sensitive.

We notice that when she's around other dogs she is much calmer. She seems to take the lead from them and happily potters around doing her thing. It doesn't matter what dog it is - she is just immediately submissive to all dogs on the planet. Well except for Maltese pups. She is not an ambassador of a Maltese.

We have been talking about perhaps getting a companion dog to be her playmate. Financially and yard wise we can afford a second dog. Emotionally we would all love another dog but frankly - we love animals - so our hearts might lead us heavily astray!

I suppose from there come the questions! (With the caveat of course that you can't answer completely without seeing the pup in action) but general opinions would be awesome.

* Could a playmate dog be helpful here? Or are we better off waiting it out and seeing if she settles with time?

* Should a dog be completely 'trained' before upsetting the status quo. How do you know when you reach that point?

* Are some dogs just always going to be a bit more sensitive?

* Is integration of a new dog better when the existing dog is a pup? Or does it just depend on their respective personalities?

* We don't necessarily want a puppy. We kind of imagine a slightly older and wiser dog - who can impart wisdom on our silly little puppy. ...That's not really a question. More of a statement I guess.

* We have a 4month baby to also throw into that mix but I feel it will take months before we find the right dog fit - so the bubba should be older. That being said would an older dog be less training? I suppose it also depends on dog and their background. Also knowing my luck the perfect animal will turn up tomorrow.

We want to get another dog at some point regardless but I suppose we want to make sure it's at the right time.

Ok if you manged to work your way through that - send me your wisdom! It's getting dire over here with me staring longingly at petrescue and I need to be headed off before it gets too late.

Unless it's a great idea - in which case it's all over and I'll be off to RSPCA tomorrow.

[*Spikey*]

So... you want a second dog, you can afford a second dog, and your existing dog is great with other dogs....

My answer is:


Davey



(Translation: get a second dog, but use a foster service, so you can trial the two dogs together before you finally commit)

[*Spikey*]

As you tend to train dogs as a life-long process, there is no point in time at which training is more ideal that other times for introducing a new friend. As you've already done a lot of training, I suspect you're in a pretty good place from this time onwards. I doubt a second dog will impact on her past a certain point, but it will give her a doggy friend to bond with, which is always nice if you can do it.

Some dogs are more sensitive or submissive, and that is perfectly okay. Its a lovely break from all of the wanna-be alphas.

[melbelle]

My mini poodle was very timid when we got her - product of sheltered show life. In addition to the very intensive socialization and confidence building we have been doing, we equate a lot of her progress with getting a second dog (toy poodle) who is confident, outgoing and bold.

They keep each other company when we are away which is great. When on walks or meeting new people etc the mini would take her cues from the toy, so if she saw that the toy was getting pats etc from new people, she would be less scared.

The downside is that they both put their evil minds to mischief occasionally (I came upstairs last week to find a bag of cotton balls artfully strewn around the bathroom)

Although I was a little hesitant about how the extra personality would meld, its the best decision we ever made.

I second the recommendation about making sure you can have a trail period to make sure the personalities mesh

[slvhwke]

Thanks for the replies guys.

Honestly I totally overthink it all sometimes!

We found a possible contender on petrescue and went and saw him yesterday.

He's so gorgeous!!!

http://www.petrescue.com.au/listings/205789/feed_show

[*Ker*]

He sounds great! So...what's the verdict?

[slvhwke]

He sounds great! So...what's the verdict?

Well he met Willow and the kids and whatnot. That went well. The dogs played really well together taking turns chasing each other in circles.

Willow was literally leaping in excitement at a playmate.

We've now filled out the official "Yes we want to adopt this dog" forms. I've instructed DH to ask for a trial period first where we have him for a few weeks to make sure he's meshing well.

So fingers crossed! The foster carer couldn't tell me if he'd been crate trained though - so that will be on the agenda. The crates going to be massive! Lulz.

G.

[Flaxen]

He's beautiful. He has the same kind eyes as my big sooky dog. I hope it all goes well for you both

[noi'mnot]

What a beautiful dog! I hope it all works out for you all. Enjoy!

[*Ker*]

All ethical rescues should offer a trial period. After all, some dogs just don't mesh with a household.