My two year old papillon is extremely sensitive. He hates riding in the car. I have to hold him on my lap with a towel because he throws up. He gets easily spooked by anything out of place like a stack of books on a chair. I'm retired and home with him most of the time but when I have to go out, he sits on the back of the chair watching out of the window for me and he is always there when I return.
I'm wondering if it would help him if I got another small dog for him to play with. I'm concerned that he would resent a new comer though. Any advice would be appreciated.
2007-02-10 08:38:29 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
He may and he may not. If you can I would borrow someone else's dog for a week or so and see how your dog does with it (kind of like a test run) and if your dog does okay, then go get another dog.
2007-02-10 08:49:03 · answer #1 · answered by iluvmyfrenchbulldogs 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's hard to say that a companion will help your little guy sometimes a second pet just increases the problems.
He may not like car rides, some dogs don't, but it would be better to put him a crate than risk harming him by allowing him to sit on your lap while you drive. Flying dogs can not only be killed or crushed in a car accident they can do a lot of damage to the driver or passengers.
Your pet is in serious need of some training, not so much for the obedience aspect as for the level of confidence that will be improved. You can also try agility training. The changes that come over a submissive pet when encouraged and cheered on during training sessions is amazing.
Check out your local schools, you may be surprised at what they can offer.
2007-02-10 08:52:24 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't think a companion will cure the fear of car rides, and a vari kennel might be a safer place for him while traveling. I also don't think a companion will rid him of fears of things out of place, in fact from your description of the books on a chair he may actually be afraid of them falling and causing him harm. Sometimes in order to understand what is going on with a dog we not only have to see he dog's body language but also try and see the world from the dogs eyes. Papillions are very small and see the world from a different perspective.
I do think though that if you feel that he would be happier with a companion, than you would be happier feeling that he was happier. He most likely will get along with a female Pap. If they are both altered that should be no problem for you either, and it is very entertaining to watch two dogs interacting with each other. Dogs do enjoy each others company. Company probably won't make him less car sick, or less afraid of objects though.
2007-02-10 09:21:25 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It all really depends on your dog. I usually have two dogs or more and it really seems like a huge benefit. My 4 year old dog is very sensitive and was going through a hard time whne his master(my brother died). After my brother's death the dog got worse the only thing that saved him and brought him out of his shell was my new Lab puppy. It was the absolute best thing. It brought him out of the depression, it gave him confidence, and helped a great deal with his seperation anxiety. The two are inseperable. I would recommend that you you try your dog around other prospective new dogs on neutral territory. Like if you were going to adopt bring your dog to the shelter and let him meet the dogs and let him kinda of pick his new friend. Dogs all have different personalities and some will get along better than others. You do want to get the perfect dog one that benefits your dog. So you really want to avoid a dominant one, but you want one that is confident and not unstable. Every time I brought a new dog home I always allow my older dog to kinda pick as to avoid bringing home the wrong match.
2007-02-10 10:43:15 · answer #4 · answered by TritanBear 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No dog is going to help him get over throwing up in the car. There's methods for that and medications you can give him to get him over that.
This sounds like a dog who's not socialized, and so is scared of everything. If you get a puppy, chances are good that the puppy will end up copying his behaviour, then you'd have 2 neurotic dogs. Your best bet is to first of all socialize this dog, take him places, take him to classes and teach him something. A dog's confidence increases with success and that's one of the things this dog needs.
Then, look for a companion for him - provided he's dog friendly.
2007-02-10 10:14:35 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on the temperament of the other dog. It would need to be calm but not overly dominant.
2007-02-10 13:28:32 · answer #6 · answered by Cara B 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i have always had two dogs, just for this reason .there are ways to play and the licking thing i can't and won't do but the campanion well and they are happy
2007-02-10 08:46:22 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
well it might.. you know you can really never tell.. but it seems like an awsome idea from what you have told me... it seems that he might be bored.. but like sometimes you give them a companion and they could not like it too.. so you may never know.. but most definately give it a try :-)
2007-02-10 08:45:10 · answer #8 · answered by Sarah 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋