We just got a 6 week old Australian Shepherd, (yes 6 weeks old!!! I know he is young but i can't help how old the puppy is when the owner sells them, when we got him, he was the only one left, someone else would have gotten him if we didn't) My question is since my boyfriend and I both work 8 hour days, I get home on lunch to feed him and what not, do you think a companion would be a good idea for him. Possibly a kitten? I heard if you start a dog and cat together when they are young then they should get along fine. What do you think?
2007-08-15 04:26:03 · 11 answers · asked by JustBlah 3 in Pets ➔ Dogs
If this is your first puppy, I wouldn't advise it. That is one heck of a lot of work! Each on its own will require plenty of attention and make plenty of messes. Having them together will be more than double the work. In other words, a pup on its own will chew stuff up, pee and poop. A kitten on its own will knock things over and chew things. Together, they will feed off each other's energy and only be more active, leading to more destruction and more pee and poop (as activity stimulates elimination).
I would wait until the pup has some household manners before considering bringing in another animal. There's really no reason a 9 month old dog can't accept a kitten.
2007-08-15 04:38:15 · answer #1 · answered by melissa k 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think a companion is a good idea also a kitten and a dog would be easier to deal with than two puppies. I had 2 cats and then I got a puppy and the puppy liked to pick on the cats. It may be better to wait until the pup is older or get an older cat so a kitten wouldn't get hurt. Also crate training the dog during the day is a good idea if you are gone most of the day. I put my dog in a crate for 4 hours at a time and I come home for lunch and let her out for an hour. She has learned to sleep most of the daytime and we play and walk in the morning and at night. Don't let the kitten and puppy be together while nobody is home because someone could get hurt. Good Luck ...oh and I have seen a Australian shepherd trying to herd a cat so that may be a game they play lol.
2007-08-15 04:38:07 · answer #2 · answered by Teresa V 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would say yes, a companion would be great. And if you raise them together, there should be no problem. My brother had a cat when he added a Boxer and a English Bull dog, The cat was there first and neither of these dogs bother the cat at all. In fact the cat is more mischievious. I would do it though while the dog is young.
Also, it would be better for the puppy to have a play mate. He will not get bored at home alone and there may be less of a chance for him to be destructive . Good Luck. .
2007-08-15 04:34:56 · answer #3 · answered by Rhonda H 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A kitten would be OK but I would almost suggest an older dog. I suggest this because the puppy being taken from his mother before 8 weeks of age means the puppy missed on socialization from the mother. It may not have been taught bite inhibition therefore you want to make sure any nipping is appropriately corrected when it starts. Do not assume it is just puppy biting or you could have a serious problem on your hands when the dog is no longer a puppy.
2007-08-15 04:37:11 · answer #4 · answered by jst2funlvn 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get a calm dog, of a similar size to your current dog or a little bigger or smaller- not big enough to squash the shih tzu, though if it's used to living with smaller dogs this might not matter. A dog aged 3 or older would be best, as it won't have the puppy boisterousness. Honestly I think unless you had a companion dog to your dog already and it died, I wouldn't get one. It might be too big of a change
2016-05-18 03:47:44 · answer #5 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is a good idea but get a kitten not a cat. I've seen my aunts cats and there dog get along fine but not to long ago the dog passed away and they got a new one. Now both of there cats are hiding under furnature!
2007-08-15 04:36:51 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
that might be a good idea...
do you crate the pup? you might want to consider it, since it's alone so long.. they can get into things, chew and possibly swallow something which is harmful while you're not home... let's not talk about pooping and peeing!!
you can find a lot of resources for crate training on line.
meanwhile, kittens are adorable, i wish i could have one...
i had an australian shephard and they are wonderful pets. i wish you all the best!!
maybe you could talk to dog trainers and breeders in your area about this too?
2007-08-15 04:34:11 · answer #7 · answered by letterstoheather 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i've heard tout dogs and cats too, makes sense.
we have two littermates that are both girls, and everything i read said no, no, no. however, its worked out very well. they play like kids are are very attached to each other. with two dogs everyone will caution that they will develop a 'pack mentality', but you just have to spend some time with each alone also. like i said, they are attached to each other and probably have some of that in them, but they repect us and they listen most of the time (they are puppies after all tho). we've been able to potty train them both quicklly, and they can sit and shake at 7 months. we can also go places and not be scared they are going to be too lonely, which is nice.
2007-08-15 04:48:34 · answer #8 · answered by jessiedallas1982 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A kitten would be a better idea than another puppy. Raising 2 puppies together is HARD..
2007-08-15 04:35:49 · answer #9 · answered by DP 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you get another companion for the animal, please consider the cost of feeding two animals, vetting, spay/neuter and shots. Make sure you can afford it first.
I would try lots of toys and soft cuddly blankets when you are gone. You may turn on the radio quietly while you are gone too. That may help.
2007-08-15 04:35:14 · answer #10 · answered by trying to please 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋