Getting your pet a mate

[23JAM00]

Re: Getting your pet a mate

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Tulip</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Nanook</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Though there may be an adjustment period it is usually fairly short. Dogs are pack animals and do love to have the company, then they are not alone when you go to work and such. It may be a week or so before the new dog is accepted by the original one but in just about 100% of the time they will get along. Keep in mind there is personality traits that come into play, such as I have had pairs of dogs that seemingly hated each other for no apparent reason.

If you get a second dog, introduce it carefully to the original one, and make sure not to give it MORE attention and make your first dog jealous.

Cats are a good alternative to a next dog, cats and dogs do generally get along just fine. Again, it's a personality thing and the cat has to be of a certain mindset. for 14 years I was sure my cat Tango thought he was a dog. Then I got him a kitten and he was upset with me for about a month! They are friends now and this kitten is now starting to warm up to the dogs. Tango is now acting more like a cat. lol. </div></div>


You do make a good point about them being pack animals. My parent's dog has not really stayed long enough at one time for them to work out their roles. Plus there is entirely too much human intervention.

I think it's probably a good idea. I will have to give the possibility of getting a male some serious, serious contemplation. </div></div>

Please keep in mind that SOME not ALL dogs can be same sex aggressive ....its just a dog thing but spay and neuter can help a great deal. Good luck and if I were you I would definitely get a playmate

[jamaica_dreamin]

Re: Getting your pet a mate

I would love to get Barney a play mate. (Mr. JD is not so keen on it )
He is neutered. But, I would still prefer to get a female.

We would have taken the male pit mix that was next door, though. We knew he was dog friendly. But, we would have had him neutered.

[Tulip]

Re: Getting your pet a mate

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: nanceejay</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Tulip</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Nanook</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Though there may be an adjustment period it is usually fairly short. Dogs are pack animals and do love to have the company, then they are not alone when you go to work and such. It may be a week or so before the new dog is accepted by the original one but in just about 100% of the time they will get along. Keep in mind there is personality traits that come into play, such as I have had pairs of dogs that seemingly hated each other for no apparent reason.

If you get a second dog, introduce it carefully to the original one, and make sure not to give it MORE attention and make your first dog jealous.

Cats are a good alternative to a next dog, cats and dogs do generally get along just fine. Again, it's a personality thing and the cat has to be of a certain mindset. for 14 years I was sure my cat Tango thought he was a dog. Then I got him a kitten and he was upset with me for about a month! They are friends now and this kitten is now starting to warm up to the dogs. Tango is now acting more like a cat. lol. </div></div>


You do make a good point about them being pack animals. My parent's dog has not really stayed long enough at one time for them to work out their roles. Plus there is entirely too much human intervention.

I think it's probably a good idea. I will have to give the possibility of getting a male some serious, serious contemplation. </div></div>

Please keep in mind that SOME not ALL dogs can be same sex aggressive ....its just a dog thing but spay and neuter can help a great deal. Good luck and if I were you I would definitely get a playmate </div></div>


Well, wouldn't that be something? As hard as I am leaning towards getting another female, same sex aggression never crossed my mind.

[Tulip]

Re: Getting your pet a mate

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jamaica_dreamin</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I would love to get Barney a play mate. (Mr. JD is not so keen on it )
He is neutered. But, I would still prefer to get a female.

We would have taken the male pit mix that was next door, though. We knew he was dog friendly. But, we would have had him neutered. </div></div>

Well, I guess that is one thing I can say for sure. Every dog will be fixed. No more heat and puppies ever again.

[Nanook]

Re: Getting your pet a mate

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Tulip</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: nanceejay</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Tulip</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Nanook</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Though there may be an adjustment period it is usually fairly short. Dogs are pack animals and do love to have the company, then they are not alone when you go to work and such. It may be a week or so before the new dog is accepted by the original one but in just about 100% of the time they will get along. Keep in mind there is personality traits that come into play, such as I have had pairs of dogs that seemingly hated each other for no apparent reason.

If you get a second dog, introduce it carefully to the original one, and make sure not to give it MORE attention and make your first dog jealous.

Cats are a good alternative to a next dog, cats and dogs do generally get along just fine. Again, it's a personality thing and the cat has to be of a certain mindset. for 14 years I was sure my cat Tango thought he was a dog. Then I got him a kitten and he was upset with me for about a month! They are friends now and this kitten is now starting to warm up to the dogs. Tango is now acting more like a cat. lol. </div></div>


You do make a good point about them being pack animals. My parent's dog has not really stayed long enough at one time for them to work out their roles. Plus there is entirely too much human intervention.

I think it's probably a good idea. I will have to give the possibility of getting a male some serious, serious contemplation. </div></div>

Please keep in mind that SOME not ALL dogs can be same sex aggressive ....its just a dog thing but spay and neuter can help a great deal. Good luck and if I were you I would definitely get a playmate </div></div>


Well, wouldn't that be something? As hard as I am leaning towards getting another female, same sex aggression never crossed my mind. </div></div>

I would safely bet that same sex aggression in a POODLE would be very rare. I have had it with my Terrier like MinPins, rarely. I have seen it with other Terrier types on occasion, but never a POODLE. Especially if you have a Toy. Even a Mini. If you already have a female, you may well want another as the Toy's &amp; Mini's may tend towards marking behavior with a girl around. Poodles as a rule are very happy go lucky dogs and really don't have a tendency to be aggressive.

[Tulip]

Re: Getting your pet a mate

I don't think she will be aggressive. When we go to the dog park, she takes most to shih tzus, jack russell terrier mixes, and other poodles. She also likes big dogs because she enjoys a good game of chase. When it seems like they might be close to catching up with her, she runs and jumps on me. Uhh, thanks for leading this doberman to me running top speed lol.

I'm gonna go for it. I'm sure it will work out. I just need to make a compatible choice.

[Nanook]

Re: Getting your pet a mate

Well now, congrats to you! I'm looking forward to hearing all about it, pics would be wonderful!

You are on the right track here exactly:

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">My parent's dog has not really stayed long enough at one time for them to work out their roles. Plus there is entirely too much human intervention.
</div></div>

Reading these two sentences I know you will do fine. You are right about the parent's dog, and the human factor is HUGE! Check out Cesar Milan's website and do a search on introducing new members to your pack and see what he advises because that is what you will be, a pack right along with the two dogs, and you are the leader.

I will never forget how hurt my 7 year old Doberman Lexi was when shortly after his diagnosis of a disease that I knew would eventually claim him, local rescue called me with a plea to take or at least foster Rosebud and I brought her home. Lexi was not an only dog, but he was an only Doberman. He was beyond hurt. A couple of weeks later they were best buds and when it was time for Lexi to go to the Rainbow Bridge, he knew I was in good hands. I had one devastated survivor dog on my hands but that is a whole nother thread. I have seen dogs and my horse grieve every bit as much as a person.

[Tulip]

Re: Getting your pet a mate

Thanks for the vote of confidence Nanook. Your doberman story was touching and also helps me keep in mind that adjustment may not be an overnight process but it will come.

I am thinking of June being the best time so I have started looking. The pollen will be gone by then, but it will still be warm yet not ridiculously hot. Right now, it's all I can do to brush this one before she comes back in the house so I don't want to start out the relationship with impatience riding my back.

I'm excited. This will be good.

[Tulip]

Re: Getting your pet a mate

Oh I yes, I will post the full experience via pic lol.