Buying Another Dog?

Question

I have a 6 month old puppy, who is awesome. He is quite shy and doesn't ezactly take to dogs very well. He needs to get to know them and then he will eventually like them. Anyways, my family are thinking of getting another dog because we think it will make him a bit less shy. On a walk we met an old man who tols us that he had a very shy dog too and getting a sister was a big help. Does anyone know how my puppy will react? and Is this a suitable idea? If anyone has help or any experiences with introducing 2 puppies it would be appreciated.

P.S. My dog is a Cavoodle if that helps (I ask you not to get angry at me for buying a cross breed please) and he is good- natured.

Cheers!

Answer 1

Definitely having two will help. It will also give your pup a playmate. I would get a friendly female. Get everything spayed/neutered.

Answer 2

Boy... I don't know what a "Cavoodle" is... but it sounds like half poodle...

It helps to know the personality traits of the dog's various breeds. That may help you figure out what would be your best breed. If your dog acts most like the poodle part, then you can consider what might be best to blend with that.

The dog whisperer was on TV one day showing how to introduce new pups to an established dog family member. You bring the new dog rear end first to the established dog. In many cases, a younger dog is best to get for your second dog. The older one can then take the younger one under it's wing and the older one is automatically the "senior" or "alpha" dog.

I intruduced a new 2-3 month old pup when there was a 5 month age difference between the new dog and it's predecessor. That worked fine for me. BUT... my third pup was my 2nd male and when he grew bigger than the older male, he took over as alpha male. They were friends by then so the fights weren't bad at all, but you need to know this can happen so you don't freak out if it does.

BTW: Noone should fault you for buying a cross breed. You SHOULD get it neutered as there are too many dogs running around breeding, but a mixed breed often has the best and calmest personality.

Answer 3

There is nothing wrong with getting another dog. Do work on introducing your dog to other dogs first. He need to socialize with others. When you look for another puppy, make sure you have your puppy with you too. This will be a key in picking out a 2nd dog. I have 3 dogs and they play together all the time. We got a pit & cocker spaniel puppies 1 week apart. (They pit is 1 week older), and then got a 2nd pit 1 1/2 years later. They are now 4 and 2 1/2 and are very attached to eachother.

Answer 4

The repeated advice for puppy school is good. When getting ANY dog, you do not know for certain its temperment until it settles into your home. I have dealt with many shy dogs and I think it would be more advantageous to bring in another dog while your puppy is so young. If I were in your shoes, I would set up a consultation with a trainer or dog therapist (yes, I have used one) to determine the exact need of your dog. Maybe he needs an older companion to show him the ropes. Maybe he needs a younger dog. Also, a trainer will help you with introducing the new dog. Good luck.

Answer 5

Getting a new pet would never stop you loving your old one. That thought is a normal grief process. I am so scared about losing my dog that I already brought another puppy now when mine older dog is only 9 to soften the blow when he goes. I think the best way of getting through the grief is having another canine friend, and I think it is a celebration of them in some ways, as their existence makes you want another. If you feel guilty, then rescue a puppy, because they are pups that are desperate for homes and love, in that way this new pup is benefiting from your old dog. Just remember that a new puppy won't be the same as your old one, but that is a good thing. Go for a rescue, that is the most rewarding thing in the world.

Answer 6

In the first place, who in the world would get mad at you for buying a crossbreed?
Now, that said, we have a toy poodle who is 6 years old. I work with a girl who inherited a Lhasa-Apso/Shih-Tzu mix, and she needed to find her a home. So, although I already had 3 cats and two dogs, I decided to bring her home and see what happens. Two of the cats are males, one female, and both dogs I already had are female. When I brought her in, I just let her get acquainted with the house and the yard, and let the poodle decide if she wanted to accept her or not.
It went better than I expected, and they are now best friends.
Our other dog is 13 years old and cannot see or hear very well, so the new dog and her don't encounter each other very much.
Your puppy is young, yet, so to bring in another dog now is actually the perfect time. He hasn't fully developed his personality yet, so he should adapt to a playmate very easily.

Answer 7

Wow sounds like your puppy is cute! Well you have to realize that getting a new puppy is a big responsiblity. Because that's double the responsibility of your puppy now. But if you just wait a while like 6 more months then he will probaly get better because he's more used too things. If he is still shy than you should maybe get another puppy. Good Luck!

Answer 8

Well, if I were you I wouldn't get another dog. Think of it this way:
If you get a new dog, your Cavoodle might be even more frightened and it would probably wonder why you got another dog. If he could talk, he'd think you didn't love him and so you got another dog. Plus a new dog would just cause stress on the puppy. Well, that's my opinion. =]
Hope it helps.

P.S. Cross breeds are awesome.

Answer 9

Whenever you buy a crossbred you never know what temperment your gonner get!. A cavoodle is not a breed!!! its a cross bred mutt. You have to ask yourself why you want another dog. Don't add to the problem with another pet. Go to puppy preschool and socialise it with other dogs. Don't snuggle your baby when it gets frightened cause your only encoraging him to do it!!!!

Don't get another dog.

Answer 10

I would wait a little while before getting a new dog.When I got my dog,she wasn't a puppy so when my family got another dog,she got weird and started ripping out her fur.Unless the dog is from his litter,just wait because getting a new dog now would make him more shy not less.

Answer 11

I think it is important to have two dogs. I adopted a dog and she was very timid and sketchy around people, almost anti social. I got a puppy a few months later and it really helped both of them. It's good for both of them also because they can play with each other. Good Luck!