Getting a rescue with a 4 month old puppy

[Kilconnellbay]

Hi all,

we have a 4 month old female JRT. She is fab, house training nearly all there and socialisation is going really well. Before we got her, we had a rescue JRT who we sadly lost. i would love another rescue and we have seen a 1 year old female around a similar size .

my concern is that we still have a few more bits to do with her training ..eg lead walking. once we are on the walk she is fine but she can be a bit hesitant at first etc etc . I dont know whether i need to wait until Dippy is slightly older and it more "well rounded" in her education before we bring another dog into the mix.

We have a cat too, who Dippy is very good with and our cat is very dog savvy and will stand her ground/tell her off. but again, i dont know whether i want to spoil the balance.
The rescue has been in foster since June as came over from Romania as a very young puppy and is well socialised and walks on the lead well but still young enough to keep up with with a playful pup!
what are your thoughts?

[Sooverthemill]

Well I think you are kind hearted and mad. At 4 months you have a huge amount of training to do with the puppy. Why don't you ask the rescue what they think?

[CMOTDibbler]

You need to wait until yours is 12-18 months before adding another dog into the mix. You can't concentrate on them both, and you still have the teenage months to get through

[bunnygeek]

Don't let your heart rule your head!! You still have lots of work to do with your 4 month old.

Wait until this puppy is at least a year old.

[Kilconnellbay]

Thanks for your responses so far

[GrumpyMiddleAgedWoman]

I agree with PP. I have a dog who is 2 and was cooing over a pregnant bitch owned by someone I know and wondering aloud if I could persuade DH. And the breeder said, 'No, really? Just focus on your current one for now.'

[Kilconnellbay]

Thank you

[SilentTights]

At four months old you still have a lot to do with her training. Almost all dogs are fab at 12 weeks with adolescence and maturity yet to come.

In your shoes there is no way iIwould bring another dog in unless I was sure they were 100% perfect in their training and behaviour. Your toughest puppy days are yet to come (may they be swift and easy).

[adaline]

Sorry OP, but it's a no from me as well.

At four months our boy was perfect - then he hit the teenage stage and stayed there for a good twelve months!

He's coming up to two now and it's only in the last month or so that we'd consider another dog (unfortunately we don't have the time or space!).

You need to train your dog pretty perfectly before introducing another. Wait until your dog is at least 18m or two years old. It's not fair otherwise.

[MustardScreams]

You haven’t hit the teenage dog phase yet! They forget pretty much all their training and become belligerent pests. You definitely don’t want to be settling a rescue in when that’s going on.

What until your JRT has matured. 18-24 months and then think about rescuing.

[Defender90]

Sorry, another no.

Still that awkward 'I forget everything you've ever taught me' phase to go through with your pup.

Get her training absolutely nailed then adopt another.

To be fair though, a reputable rescue would also say no for the same reasons.

[Whynosnowyet]

Imo UK have enough ddogs needing homes - ones from abroad seem a scam to me..
Ime.
Know at least 2 who have literally 'outgrown' expectations and been sent back to the rescue.
Already having a dpuppy is by the by...

[BiteyShark]

It's a no from me as well. The teenage phase can last months and is very trying and you haven't even started that with your puppy.

[Floralnomad]

Any half decent rescue wouldn’t let you have the dog when your puppy is so young so I’d be a bit concerned about the rescue

[EnidPrunehat]

No. And certainly don't consider introducing an imported dog about whom you know nothing and who may well have a whole host of issues that you aren't told about (see recent thread about precisely this!). Your puppy deserves better right now and there's plenty of time to consider rescuing when she's older.

[Scarsthelot]

Sorry op, just no.

You need to get through the first year, at least.

What if this dog turns out to be aggressive to dogs, or certain dogs. Or behaviour issues which mean you cant focus on the puppy.

The puppy then will become a handful.