Adding second dog

[Hannah]

Hi, I adopted my rescue 4 months ago at the shelter I volunteer at. She is a 4 year old mini who is completed trained and the most adorable thing ever. Her only issue is she cries the entire time we leave her alone for a few hours. She is not destructive when we are gone. The vet recommended a companion pet but my husband is worried she won't like that. She follows us everywhere all day and sits in our recliners with us. there is another cutie mix at the shelter and I want to bring her home for a trial. Any thoughts? How long before we would know if she bonds to the new little girl (slightly bigger than she is) Thanks for any input. This is my first experience with this breed.

[zeta1454]

Hi Hannah and welcome to the Forum

Personally I would not recommend getting another puppy / dog while you still have issues with the first. There are too many unknowns anyway with shelter dogs in terms of knowing their previous history and how they will adapt to family life, other animal companions etc. Although it may work out OK, if it doesn't, there is a great risk in causing more distress and damage to either or both dogs.

Even with puppies from a good breeder, I would always recommend waiting until the first is settled and mature before getting a second as you don't want the second dog to be affected by any unresolved issues or behaviour problems of the first.

If your current mini is suffering separation anxiety, you need to concentrate on trying to resolve this before thinking of adding another dog to your family, in my view.

[zeta1454]

There is some useful information on this link too

https://vetaround.com.au/blog/is-a-gett ... ing-to-do/

[Riesen16]

Zeta 1454:

Well said!!

If your current mini is suffering separation anxiety, you need to concentrate on trying to resolve this before thinking of adding another dog to your family, in my view.

We waited until our puppy was 12 months' old and sufficiently well trained. Our Landseer male was too old to enjoy a puppy but when I said "Hey Ben" "play a little with him. He did a sort of "shadow boxing with him".

Gaucho, Fila Brasilero,12 wks, joined us when Eric, Briard, was around 14 mths and was overjoyed as he watched from the Terrace as we carried Gaucho into the house. They were excellent together: France and Brazil united!!

[GaryThomlinson]

How are things going Hannah? A year down the road has your little one settled, did you adopt another?

[Hannah]

Just to let everyone know, we did rescue a second mini schnauzer and it has helped calmed Hannah down tremendously. She has much less anxiety.

[Dinkum]

Hi Karen

Thanks for updating us on Hannah. Really pleased that you managed to rescue a second mini and that it helped with Hannah's anxiety.