I want to get another dog?

Question

I have a blue chow chow. She is going to be 9 this may. i had a jack russell and he got hit by a car a couple months ago.He was 12. I want to get another dog and my chow hasn't been around any other dogs. So i dunno if she is gonna act right or not? I want to get a puppy. What should I do?

Answer 1

I have bought a few dogs from the lost dogs home - they ALWAYS say to me when I find a dog I want to buy that I should bring my current dog in - they then get the dog you want to buy and take you and the 2 dogs into a large pen and first introduce the dogs on lead and eventually if they get along well they then let the dogs off the lead and if all goes well they let you buy the dog.

I recently bought a new dog from the lost dogs home - my 4 year old fell in love with it - we already had a dog who was very set in his ways and didnt really like other dogs he just wanted to be left alone (he is a lazy old thing LOL) well we ended up buying the other dog who is young and very active and loves to play - it took them maybe a week to really get used to each other and now its all fine - the older dog tells the younger dog where to go (by growling or what ever) when she gets too much - they have it all worked out.

As for getting a puppy I suppose it would be much the same - you say your Chow Chow is 9 and your 12 year old got run over a few months ago so is the Chow Chow a rescue? It might be an idea to take your dog to a park (on lead) or to a dog training school or even to the local vets (many have socialisation classes) and see what your dog is like around other dogs - Just remember that a dog behaves differently in public (off its territory) than when its on its territory (at home) they are more protective - but if your dog gets on well outside home then I shouldnt think it would take too much to introduce another puppy into the structure - introduce them slowly and then basically let them sort out the pecking order and you will have harmony :)

Answer 2

I'm so sorry to hear about your Jack Russell.

I love chow chows, but they can be very haughty and unsociable around new friends. You need to get a puppy that is quite young, and let her assert her superiority over it. There are some pretty simple things you can do to help, like putting her food out before the puppy's food, or stroking her first in the morning. Just stuff that will reassure her that you don't have a new favourite and she is "top dog".

In terms of what breeds might be compatible with her, I think you will know better than we will. If she's a classic haughty chow, she might get on better with a dog that is going to be reasonably docile and submissive. However, if she has got on with a Jack Russell in the past, perhaps she likes feisty dogs!

If you can, take her to meet any new puppies you might adopt - then you can see how she reacts to them first hand. If she hates a puppy, don't get it - allow her to meet another.

Answer 3

Well if your heart is set on getting a new puppy, you should take both of them to a place where the other has never been. A common ground so they can be properly introduced. You can see how your older dog will take on the new addition. Take treats and remember if your older dog is not used to getting treats all the time, then she will love this new attention.

Some older dogs can act nasty, but it sounds like yours has had another dog around and she might actually be missing him. A new addition could be in the future.

You can visit here www.akc.org and read about the breeds who get along best with big dogs such as a Chow chow.

Good Luck!

Answer 4

Even if she's not happy to have an "intruder" in her life, she's more likely to accept a puppy. If she's unhappy with the new arrival, you can present the pup to her rear end first.

Dogs meet & greet by sniffing. To meet a new dog, the older dog is happier if the new, younger dog is presented so the older established dog has the first right to sniff the new dog. This verifies you recognize your chow as the senior, or alpha dog. You may need to supervise to make sure the pup doesn't irritate the chow, but it can go quite well.

If your chow misses the JR as much as you do, the chow may be happy to have a new friend. Also, I suspect that older dogs like to have a new pup to "train".

Answer 5

Before deciding to get a young upstart of a pup, try bringing your chow to a park with other dogs. She may respond well to being around others.

This is a difficult thing to decide. She may be lonely and want a companion, but she may just be too old to deal with a new pup. I'm not saying going to a rescue shelter and get an older dog (although I normally would). If she is going to react well to having a new dog in her life, she'd probably prefer a younger one, someone she can 'help' train, someone who will accept that she is Alpha. An older dog might have other ideas...

If you do decided to bring in another dog, regardless of the age, make sure your chow knows she is still loved and not being replaced. Time, love and patience needed, in large doses.

Answer 6

I would recommend that you get a puppy. Sociallizing a puppy with an adult dog is alot easier than with 2 adults. Also, make sure to get a large or medium breed dog. Since the chow is a good sized dog, he could end up hurting the puppy if it was smaller like a Chihuahua. I have to keep my Chihuahua puppy away from my parents dobermans, because they want to play with him, but they will end up hurting him because is is soooo small...His head is the size of their paw. Lol. When or if you get a new puppy, slowly have them meet each other...Let your puppy go inside the Chow's crate to get used to his smell...Then you could let them smell each other for only a couple of minutes the next day...Just make sure you stand with them and watch them so that the puppy doesn't get hurt. Adult dogs seem to be easier and less rough on a puppy because they are not stupid and can tell that they are young and fragile...there is an exception with my parents dobermans tho, they turned a year old in December and they still act like puppies themselves...All they want to do is play play play...Lol.

Answer 7

your chow chow obviously knows what the company of another dog is like. puppys adapt to almost any situation given time. your chow chow will probably put a new pup in its place so your new pup will no how far they can push your chow chow, or your chow chow will become very playfull like a pup again. all the best, i would reccommend it because maybe your chow chow would appreciate the new arrival too. sorry about your jack russel.

Answer 8

Since your dog is that old you might have some problems. The dog could really hurt a puppy. If I were you I would not. Chows can be very territorial

Answer 9

I am guessing she was around your other dog that got hit by a car and they got along correct? Do you know family members or friends that have a dog or dogs that are friendly? If so I would suggest taking her around them and see what her reaction is. It may at first be a bit standoffish or even slightly intimidated. Your best bet if you do try this is to have them bring the dog to your house as this will tell you if she is going to be extremly territorial. Stay close and be ready to intervene if necessary, but as long as they are not showing aggresive signs (i.e. hair up, tail up and stiff, teeth bared, etc.) let them work it out themselves. If they are showing aggressive signals remove them from one another before they fight and one of them gets hurt. Your best bet would probably be getting a male puppy so she does not feel like she has to compete so much. I would also sugest getting one from a shelter as they will allow you to bring her in a couple of times and meet the dog you intend to bring home and they are trained to watch for signals that they will not get along. Good luck.

Answer 10

I always tell people to bring their dogs to adoptions to find a new pet. It is much better to meet on neutral ground. Even if they don't have the pet you want your dog is getting used to being social around others. Many dogs in rescues are used to more dominant dogs in their foster homes. A rescue will let you know how to go about it they will work with you to make a great transition for all of you.

My poor five dogs get tossed out the back door and new dog comes on in. The get to go to petsmart for santa pictures once a year and usually act like fools till its their turn.