Advice on getting a puppy please

[Rubyduby26]

We currently have a 5 year old DDog. She is such a big part of our family and we want to add another dog to the clan as we love dogs.

Our DDog has had issues with separation anxiety all of her life and has only recently started to accept being left alone for short amounts of time (30 mins).

For the last 5 years we have been lucky enough to have family dog sit while we were working and have always taken her with us on holidays in the UK.

I have a 16 month old DS and have recently become a SAHM and have worked really hard at easing her anxiety and it has eventually paid off as the last few weeks when I've been brave enough to leave her, she has been fine, me and DS only went up and down the street outside so I could listen out for any signs of distress, but she didn't make a peep and she is a very vocal dog!

Our dog gets on really well with other dogs and we have decided we want another. So what I am concerned with is whether anyone thinks this will be a good idea with the separation issues she has had.

I have really worked so hard over the last 16 months to get to this point and I know 30 minutes doesn't sound like a big deal but to me and DDog it really is!

Obviously when we bring the puppy home I'm not going to be leaving them alone together. I know how much hard work puppies are as DDog was a real terror 😂

But as the puppy gets older and is able to be left, will it impact on the progress I've made with our current dog? I am just a bit lost with it all if I'm honest.

Just for some background, I usually do an hour's walk in the morning, and then afternoons can vary, sometimes we can do another hour or sometimes she doesn't want to go, this is why I have recently started trying to leave her alone as she was refusing to come out with me and DS (I think she needs a break from him if I'm honest 🙈)

Any advice appreciated

[Rubyduby26]

Bump

[GrumpyMiddleAgedWoman]

In my limited experience, having another for company is great for dogs. Our older dog is a nervous chap, but SA is not something he's ever suffered from, and he's always had another dog for company. I know correlation is not causation, but dogs are pack animals, so it makes sense to me that canine company can fill that SA-inducing void just as well as a person.

[Wolfiefan]

Having another dog won’t generally help SA. The new dog could learn the behaviour from the older dog.
To solve SA is hard. Never leaving the dog for longer than. They are happy with. May require a camera to check. It’s not a quick or simple fix.

[Rubyduby26]

Yes i think she will definitely benefit from having another dog around!

We are not planning on getting a puppy to cure the SA, I know it's something that needs to be worked on separately. It has taken me over a year to get to the point of leaving her alone for 30 mins. I have done all of the getting keys, coat/shoes on and off and on and off over and over. She used to follow me from room to room everywhere I went but now if she's comfy she stays put so it's lots of little things I've done which have seemed to work! But I'm worried the puppy might disrupt the progress we have made and it's taken so long!

So when we get the puppy, is it best just to carry on as I have been with our current dog?

Thanks

[Wolfiefan]

Honestly I wouldn’t get a pup whilst your dog still has such severe SA.

[Rubyduby26]

wolfie
Do you think it will stunt her progress? I am happy to wait if it will be best for her and the new pup!

I worry about waiting more than 12 months though as would worry she wouldn't be able to keep up with a puppy! She is 5 at the moment so it just felt like a good age!

[Wolfiefan]

If your existing dog has SA that needs dealing with or you risk a second dog with the same. You clearly want another dog but how would it help her?

[Rubyduby26]

The puppy isn't meant to be a cure for her SA, I have been working on that for over 12 months already and she has gone from being with someone all day every day for nearly 5 years , to managing 30 minute blocks of time alone.

I just wanted to know if anyone had any advice or experience of how a new dog or puppy would effect dogs who have SA.

Ultimately if a new puppy picked up the SA it wouldn't be the end of the world, we have managed with our current dog never being left for 5 years.

I just didn't want our current dog to feel anxious again as she seems so much happier now she doesn't have to be glued to someone's side 24/7, she can now relax and sleep whilst I'm chasing around after my son

[SamBeckett]

How about trying some dog fostering first to see how you and Ddog cope with having another dog around

[Rubyduby26]

sam

That's a brilliant idea I might ask my Mum if she minds me borrowing her dog for a week or 2 and see how we get on! The 2 dogs love each other and have had lots of sleepovers and camping trips together so I could see how we get on with them both being in our house for a week or 2!

I would foster from a shelter but there are usually restrictions with children so I doubt we would be able to!

[SamBeckett]

If its a dog your dog knows that's even better as yours is more likely to be relaxed, borrow your Dms for a bit and them see if there is anyone ease's Ddog you could borrow ( other dog walking friends ) at this time of the year there will be loads of people going on their hols so would appreciate some dog sitting ( you could even charge them ! ) win win