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Location: West Sussex
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 6,749
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24-07-2009, 08:50 AM
Originally Posted by Jackbox 
OK, Dani, my twopenath worth.
Dont do it!!
The issue for me is NOT whether Bruno will allow another dog into your home, thats a very small part of the problem as I see it.
Its not how many dogs you own, or if its harder having more than one.
Its to do with the dogs you have, you can have 1,2,3, or 4 dogs , and find it no harder than 1..... but it it is all down to the temperament of the individual dogs.... and as a owner of 2 dogs 1 being dog aggressive, take it from me... it is hard
So as one dog aggressive dog owner to another... I would not go ahead with this.
Someone has already said it, you take the chance , all be it a small one, that Bruno issues could influence the new dog... and to avoid that happening you will have to ask yourself ..........have I got equally enough time to give this dog individual time ..i.e walking/ training///
You will have to (if things go wrong) walk them separately, could you walk these two together with the pushchair.... AS YOU DO NOW.
Think about the scenario, you pushing the pushchair with two dogs..one dog aggressive that may have an "paddy" while you are out, can you control him, the pushchair and the new dog.... what if she joins in!!!!!!!!!!
You will if you exersice them together... have to continue to find places where there are no other dogs.... (if you dont have time to exercise them seperate) this in itself will bring problems... the new dog will not be getting the crucial socialisation she needs.
Also multiple dogs give each other confidence Bruno could regress, with her presence outside.
These are all "what ifs" and none of it may raise its head.... but my advice is as much as you want to do this... dont upset what you have now.
You know how hard its been for you with Bruno... can yo uhonestly say...you have the commitment/time to deal with any other issues that comes from this,
You are already looking to the future, with adding more children to your family.... think about that.... if you have doubled your commitment to two dogs... one with issues, one hopefully not...can you deal with that and a toddler, and a new baby.
Dani, it all could work out..... but what if it does not..thats what you have to consider before anythign else....
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Location: w
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 10,769
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24-07-2009, 09:51 AM
Originally Posted by youngstevie
Dani I can give you some of my experience ....for what it's worth.
When we took Stafford, and as I said he was a ex fighting dog with ''killer'' issues, I already owned Sally (jrt) and Meg(BC) it took a while to introduce him to them, I was lucky having the support of where I worked, so in the beginning, he could be held at thier kennels, whilst the behaviourist worked with him and us. Finally he was introduced and things went well, as long Sally (JRT) was top dog,.....now he gave her permission to do this.....I put it that way because I know hadn't he of done he could of killed her with the greatest of ease. But fair to say indoor he was very good with our two other dogs once we got him to accept them.
Walking however was a completey different matter, we had to walk him separately all the time we owned him, or two of us had to walk, because if he decided (even muzzled, which we tried) he didn't like another dog, Sally would wade in too.....and as Meg got older so did she.
Yet Sally and Meg out alone presented no problems and behaved completely different without him.
So I'd bear this in mind, hope you don;t mind me saying
So I hope that helps, I'd think very carefully before acting, if you do decide to give it a go, I wish you all the luck and best wishes, for it to work xxxxxxxxxxx
Originally Posted by Lionhound
Lots of good advise given already, I agree with Ramble. Let them meet and take it from there. Go in with your eyes open and not your heart ( I know you will anyway).
As for having two dogs, I found it like having two children. Most of the time it is great and no real difference but just sometimes the logistics are a bit harder but you get there.
I hope it works out for you xx
Originally Posted by Jackbox
OK, Dani, my twopenath worth.
Dont do it!!
The issue for me is NOT whether Bruno will allow another dog into your home, thats a very small part of the problem as I see it.
Its not how many dogs you own, or if its harder having more than one.
Its to do with the dogs you have, you can have 1,2,3, or 4 dogs , and find it no harder than 1..... but it it is all down to the temperament of the individual dogs.... and as a owner of 2 dogs 1 being dog aggressive, take it from me... it is hard
So as one dog aggressive dog owner to another... I would not go ahead with this.
Someone has already said it, you take the chance , all be it a small one, that Bruno issues could influence the new dog... and to avoid that happening you will have to ask yourself ..........have I got equally enough time to give this dog individual time ..i.e walking/ training///
You will have to (if things go wrong) walk them separately, could you walk these two together with the pushchair.... AS YOU DO NOW.
Think about the scenario, you pushing the pushchair with two dogs..one dog aggressive that may have an "paddy" while you are out, can you control him, the pushchair and the new dog.... what if she joins in!!!!!!!!!!
You will if you exersice them together... have to continue to find places where there are no other dogs.... (if you dont have time to exercise them seperate) this in itself will bring problems... the new dog will not be getting the crucial socialisation she needs.
Also multiple dogs give each other confidence Bruno could regress, with her presence outside.
These are all "what ifs" and none of it may raise its head.... but my advice is as much as you want to do this... dont upset what you have now.
You know how hard its been for you with Bruno... can yo uhonestly say...you have the commitment/time to deal with any other issues that comes from this,
You are already looking to the future, with adding more children to your family.... think about that.... if you have doubled your commitment to two dogs... one with issues, one hopefully not...can you deal with that and a toddler, and a new baby.
Dani, it all could work out..... but what if it does not..thats what you have to consider before anythign else....
We also have holidays planned for next summer and that would mean having to leave two dogs with my mother in law who I dont believe could cope walking them tbh - she can deal with Bruno but two would probably send her over the edge and I could not kennel Bruno....
Oh I just dont know - I wish I hadnt had this thought, I think I love the idea of two dogs but I think i may have some rose tinted specs on as I just dont think that I necessarily want to upset the household with two. Fair do's if Bruno was happy go lucky and didnt have issues but as you have all said if he passes his bad habits on to the new dog it would be an utter nightmare..
A lot to think about - I will have a think today, and then decide whether to do the meet or not. ......
once again all your frank opinions are truly appreciated and I would never jump into something like this lightly, I think last night I was thinking with my heart so today its my head in control ....
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Location: Birmingham UK
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 20,832
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24-07-2009, 09:59 AM
I fell for him
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Location: UK
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 13,122
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24-07-2009, 10:14 AM
Originally Posted by youngstevie
For what is worth hun, life takes it's turns and knocks, why not give what you have to Bruno, keep him happy, dogs have such short lives really. Next time round you could have two then........never say never. Just maybe not with Bruno.......maybe he just needs you now that he has found you xxxxxxxx he's lovely
I fell for him
I am the same.. I know for as long as Millie lives, I will never bring another dog into my home... it is that simple, sad , but I am realistic.
If you are having doubts, I dont think it is a good idea to do the meeting... you may let your heart rule your head.
Concentrate on finding this girl a forever home with some else..your time will come, but maybe not while you have Bruno
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Location: w
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 10,769
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24-07-2009, 10:28 AM
I will always wonder I know that but i think the very fact that I am doubting this much before I have even let them meet, is a good indication that its not right. Bruno is 8 as well and I kinda feel that I have given him such a good last 5 years and he deserves to have the rest the same way and not get put out by another dog - especially with the possibility of another baby in a year or so possibly too- I dont think thats fair.
I think I was having a mad moment of falling in love with a dog yesterday and I hadnt considered Bruno's day to day world which albeit he might love a pal for a weekend - would he really want to share his people with one??
No, I think I have made my decision and as much as I will have a what if - If I do the meet and they get on I will have a much harder decision to make and I wont think I will just do...
Thankyou guys for all your honest and supportive messages, and I really appreciate the perspective you have all given, Sanity has returned and my heart is back in my chest...
a little sad but ultimately Bruno is my first thought and he wasnt there for a little while...
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Location: Scottish Borders
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,902
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24-07-2009, 10:37 AM
I think it doesn't help that so many people you know do have two dogs - it makes it seem more appealing.
There are lots of nice things in having two dogs, but as you are starting to realise, lots of drawbacks too. With Luca in your life and possibly another baby in the nearish future, I think your relationship with Bruno would change - or if it didn't, you'd probably find that you do not have the time to give the new dog in the same way.
There will be time enough in the future for you to be a two dog family
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Location: w
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 10,769
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24-07-2009, 10:45 AM
Originally Posted by Kazz
I also think whatever you do you could make it work but the question is do you want it to "just work" as it may; or do you want it to be easy.....as it is now.
oh so glad you lot are not thinking with your hearts !!!
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Location: England
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 12,926
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24-07-2009, 10:48 AM
I am not sure being a two dog family is all it is cracked up to be. But maybe thats because the breed I choose to adore is a people dog more than a dog dog breed.
Karen
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