Hey puppy people! I need input...

So lately I've gotten bit by the puppy bug... my dog Elmo is four and a half (I got him at 4 months), and I want another! Problem is, Elmo is quite used to being an "only dog." We've fostered a bunch of dogs with him, and he's great with them, but he takes a while to warm up. And he always seems a little jealous if I spend time with the fosters -- he'll come over and sit in my lap if I'm patting them, etc.

So... what to do? Have any of you added a puppy to a one (spoiled) dog household? :D Any tips?

I just found this one on petfinder :loveya:



http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=10214494


And me and my sweetie Elmo

You just have to love them up, and expecially when they try to interfere with your interaction with another pup. Mine still does that if my cats demand a lot of attention, and I just pet the dog and talk to him and love him up at the same time.

He is finally satisfied that mom loves him too, and is at peace.

When i had the fosters, i'd usually just end up with two dogs in the recliner with me instead of one, haha. It's funny, because Elmo absolutely LOVES other dogs -- until they're at his house getting petted by his mom. ;-)

I figure i have enough love to go around! But Elmo's my baby, and i don't want to stress him out!

:hi:

just like Jessie's. I've thought about another dog but I think it would stress Jessie (6 1/2) and Merlin (15 and a cat) out. Good luck, whatever you decide.

When i got him, the shelter folks said he was lab/terrier. I don't really see any lab in him... definitely some terrier (maybe Wheaten?) and who knows what else! He's a doll though, and REALLY smart.

Aww, yeah, a puppy might be a bit much for the senior kitteh! :hi:

The fact that Elmo is great with fosters coming in and going out is a fantastic sign. I think you could EASILY bring a new permanent furry family member into your home, especially if you're thinking puppy.

Here's the catch...to ease the transition, because puppies demand so much constant attention, give Elmo extra attention. Elmo should see you shun giving the pup attention to give him attention. Elmo should get extra car rides and walks, etc.

Good luck, and happy adopting.

Thanks for the advice! It's so funny with the fosters -- he seems a bit put off when they first show up, but he loves playing and wrestling (and he's really gentle with the little ones) so eventually they become buddies.

Do you think he'd deal better if i got a female puppy?

If he is fixed (and I know he is, but I have to ask), with those breedtypes I don't think it will matter much. Once altered, it's really all about socialization. Getting a puppy will be an easy transition for you guys, as Elmo should still get to be second fiddle to your Alpha and he'll be able to establish that right away. He'd need to be an older dog and you bringing in a real "protector" to get him to pass that torch.

(of course!)

Thanks again for the info... i'll let you know how it goes, once Iza gives me the OK ;)

And Iza is a wise man. There is no "gives me the OK". It's more of a "yes, dear".

"at least it's spring, so my morning potty breaks with the puppy will at least be warmer than the winter ones (with our last foster)"


i know i have no input in this situation.

If you really thought it was a bad idea, you'd tell me, right? x(


:*

in a neutral spot--not in Elmo's territory. Let 'em meet in a park or someplace, so Elmo doesn't see the pup as competition for territory.

Still, if Elmo's good with fosters, you may not need to do anything but be sure he gets plenty of attention. They're both CUUUUUTE!

Although if we found one we liked, we could probably bring Elmo to the shelter so they could meet there...?

Thanks! :hi:

The terrier MUST be in charge.

Even though i love 'em... two people and one dog in 880 square feet is already tight :D

Maybe we should wait until we move someplace... but it would be good timing to have a puppy now, since i'm in grad school so i can be home a lot. Hmmm.

Thanks!

Dachshunds are hounds, not terriers. Well, technically, though they're pretty terrieresque.

The pup does look like a cross, but the terrier comes out strong in the face, ears.

Had a dachshund/fox terrier cross. Great dog, but not good with other males AT all.

Strong willed and pretty alpha despite size, best mixed with a really mellow companion. I know several people who have terriers and retrievers and it seems to work. Both breeds have great humor and the retrievers are big enough, in body, mind and soul to let the smaller dog think he's the boss ;)

My Golden tries his best to 'get small' so as not to overwhelm some of the Jack Russells around here. It's pretty funny to see him paste himself flat and hold still, save for the wagging tail.

I want Elmo. He is cute.

I watched my Fiancee's dog for the last two weeks because her parents (who are boarding the dog while she is at school) went on vacation.

I miss the little guy already.

EVERYONE wants Elmo. He is a handsome devil, and just about the best behaved dog ever. People stop me on the street and ask how i trained him, because he walks off leash and sits at the curb when he comes to the street. I have no good tips though -- he's just super smart!

What kind of dog does your fiancee have?

but he is a Golden Retriever most likely mixed with some other things.

he is a bit older, but such a great dog. he is their family dog.

No matter who you bring in, he's going to need to know he's still #1 to you. You can just see it in his eyes. :hi:

Elmo has been there for me through a lot! He is just the best... i don't think i would have survived all my fieldwork without him. We spent many nights in tents, many days tromping through the woods. :D

I like to remind Iza that Elmo has seniority over him in the household :rofl:

:hug:

That pic is worth a thousand words. The other little guy looks really CUTE and in need of a Big Brudda Elmo (look how his tail is wagging). I'm a cat person myself (like dogs tho) so not able to give advice. So Sorry.

I wish you best luck in this search!

He's already a wonderful foster brother... my soon-to-be in-laws adopted one of our fosters, and she still gets SO excited when she sees her foster brother. :D

I love the tail in that photo too! :)

Sure he will take time to warm up to a new dog, but in time they will be best buds, trust me...I have 3.

Or were they staggered? I wonder how long it'll take Elmo to accept the new guy and feel comfortable...

:hi:

When we got Ringo he wasn't accepted right away by Cody. Cody seemed annoyed by a puppy always messing with his stuff, it took a few months.

Now Ringo rules the roost. The 3rd dog was a rescue, she was a tough gal, so there really wasn't a problem.

Ringo. 108lbs.

Thanks for the reply! :D

It's like being a human mom and having a second baby. There's a sense of guilt about how the first one will react but your heart is big enough to love them both and I think it enriches a dog's life to have doggy sibling. And, like with a human baby, there's hardly ever a perfect time so unless it's a time in your life that's particularly rough I say listen to your heart and go for it. And of course show us lots of pictures :)

I fell in love with his little face first, but the tail totally kills me. :loveya:

I think we might try to go meet him this weekend...??? :bounce:

:hug:

a happy pup.

I'll post more pics if we end up with him! :hi:

I've adopted a bunch and while the older dog will get jealous they will love playing with the puppy. I've had to break up a couple of fights but nothing serious.

Elmo loves wresting with puppies... he always seems a little gloomy when his foster sibs leave. So i'm hoping they'll get along great.

Thanks for the input! :hi:

I always let my six resolve disputes without intervention. For the most part it is nose/ear biting and is just to establish/maintain pack order.

My heart just broke a little.

This one is supposedly schnauzer/dachshund/etc :)

:hi:

He was a great dog though.

I want another dog. I have the money, room and resources for another dog. But I don't want to hurt our current dog's feeling. He is very gregarious, well mannered and smart. But I don't want him to feel that we are getting a replacement for him. I go back and forth 20 times a day. Here is Boodah with his best friend Izzy. Sadly, Izzy died this Christmas. I guess if he could have a cat as a best friend, he could probably handle a dog?

What precious pictures. I'm so sorry to hear about Izzy :(

How old is Boodah? Maybe you could try fostering (or dog-sitting for a friend) and see how he reacts?

I just talked to the shelter... i think we're going to go meet him tomorrow! :bounce:


Edit... hit "post" too soon, haha... Apparently, the puppy may have a minor heart murmur. I'm going to call my vet to talk about it in the morning, but if anyone knows anything about this, let me know!

First week, they may be stand-offish. Then they'll fight a little to establish dominance.

Then they'll be fast friends. At least, that's been my experience.

I hope you get that dog. HE's GORGEOUS.

Elmo always seemed to take a while to warm up to the fosters, but then he seems bummed when they leave!

I'm sure i'll post tomorrow if we come home with him :D

Thanks Maddy! :hi:

We adopted a male kitten. We have a three year old male cat. The three year old did NOT like the new kitten coming in and getting scritches from me. They fought a little for the first week.

That was about six months ago. The older cat never goes outside. The younger cat loves to go outside for 30 minutes or so at a time. Well, while the little cat is out, the big cat sits by the door and mews loudly, as if he's crying for his baby. Then when the little guy comes in, the big guy pulls him close and grooms him! They sleep in an embrace. They are inseperable.

Back to dogs: My schnauzer, who's five, is highly possessive of me. I was hesitant to bring in a new dog. But it didn't take long for them to become fast friends. She LOVES our weimaraner, which was brought in when she was three. She nipped at the weimy at first...was standoffish, but now they play together and absolutely love each other. I think your new guy will get along just fine with your dog. It'll take a couple of weeks for the adjustment. Can't wait to see photos of them together and hear updates!

I think we are going to meet the puppy this evening... we'll see how it goes! :D

Someone dumped a pup at my place last fall & all five of the existing dogs really took a shine to her. I believe it was due to the fact that she was a pup perfectly willing to take her place at the bottom of the pack. If she had been a bit older she might have felt a need to challenge other dogs for a higher spot.
Secondly, she was a female and four of my five existing dogs are males. Despite having been neutered they still like female company. One dog in particular has been inseparable from her, he has long hair like your Elmo & Lucy loves tugging on his neck hair which he finds enjoyable.

So Elmo can still be the "top dog" :D

The little one we're going to meet is a male, so we'll see how it goes!

:hi:

It definatly was a good thing age wise though. Lucy didn't even THINK about challenging any of the other dogs. She fell right into place as low dog on the pack order.

Lucy the first hour she was here.

(I know you have probably already seen the picture but what the heck?)

She is a DOLL. Those eyes!!! :loveya:

How big is she now?

She is a sweetheart even though she does misbehave from time to time.